Jay Cutler hasn’t forgotten the training techniques that helped him carve out an Olympia-winning physique. On February 3, 2025, he offered tips for building a massive chest using the incline dumbbell press—a staple movement he incorporated throughout his decorated bodybuilding tenure.
Jay Cutler emerged as a bodybuilding star in the 2000s, having put together a one-of-a-kind physique in his prime. In 2006, Cutler finally knocked former eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman off his throne. Although Cutler lost the Mr. Olympia title to Dexter Jackson in 2008, he became the only Open competitor in history to regain it the following year.
Cutler is also a three-time Arnold Classic winner, and while he stepped away from competing in 2013, still gives back to the sport that turned him into a star. Chest definition and size were among his top priorities and recently walked fans through how to build the body part with an incline dumbbell press breakdown.
Jay Cutler Gives Tips for Sculpting a Massive Chest With Dumbbell Presses: “Remember, It’s Not About How Much Weight You Push”
In a recent YouTube video, Cutler offered advice to lifters aiming to build their chests with incline dumbbell presses.
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“Back when I started training when I was a teenager, I only knew the barbell bench press and, of course, dumbbell presses. It’s still probably the most important exercise in my routine. Every single chest workout I’m doing an incline dumbbell press. It’s about the tension on the chest.”
He believes lifters get too caught up in how much weight they can push versus focusing on quality contractions.
“Keeping the chest out and getting that contraction. I see too many people in the gym just pushing the weight, worrying about how much they bench press or how heavy of dumbbells they may use. So what I try to really do with this is I treat it almost like a barbell.”
Cutler advised lifters not to touch the dumbbells together when they bring them up during repetitions. He emphasized that it’s not about how much weight you push, ‘it’s about the feel.’
“So when I come up and do these presses, I come up and I squeeze the chest. At the same time, don’t bring the dumbbells together.
As you come together you’re going to use your triceps. You stay steady on that plane of motion and more importantly, just keep the repetitions above six. Good foot position, slight incline, contract. That’s my top movement. Remember, it’s not about how much weight you push, it’s about the feel,” he shared.
At 51 years old, Jay Cutler hasn’t slowed down inside the gym, still admittedly training seven days a week. He continues to showcase trade secrets he utilized throughout his decorated career, empowering up-and-coming fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders to reach their goals.
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