Seated Chest Clam - How to Perform, Muscles, Variants | SatisFIT Skip to main content

Seated Chest Clam

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Seated Chest Clam.

EasyFront shouldersUpper chest

About this exercise

The Seated Chest Clam is a mobility and stretching exercise performed while sitting, where the arms open wide like a clamshell to expand and stretch the chest and the front of the shoulders. It helps improve thoracic posture and relieve tightness in the pectoral region.

How to Perform

  • Sit upright on a chair or on the floor with your spine tall
  • Bend your elbows to 90 degrees and raise them to shoulder height
  • Allow your hands to face each other in front of your chest
  • Slowly open your arms outward and backward, like a clamshell opening, squeezing your shoulder blades together
  • Hold the open position for 2–3 seconds, feeling the stretch across your chest
  • Slowly return your arms to the starting position
  • Repeat for the desired number of repetitions or hold duration

Muscle Activation

Primary
Front shouldersUpper chestMiddle chest

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes content is coming soon.

About the Seated Chest Clam

The Seated Chest Clam is a foundational movement that builds strength and muscle through controlled, progressive overload. Train it 1 to 2 times per week with 3 to 5 working sets per session, gradually adding weight or reps as form holds up.

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