Does chest measurement include upper back?

Mellouk89

So I have a question regarding chest measurement. If you measure your chest aren't you also measuring you upper back circumference? Meaning if someone were to train heavily their back muscles but not do anything for their chest they would still have a large chest measurement, is that correct?

It seems for me when I put the measuring tape higher on my back in the upper back region, it results in a higher circumference.

penguinmama87

Yes, the measurement would include your upper back since you're measuring all around the torso. I'm not sure what the advice is for men on where exactly to measure to track your progress; since I'm female I measure under my bust. I think the important thing for determining change is measuring in a consistent spot. It doesn't surprise me that higher up would be a higher measurement even if you're at a consistent height from front and back, as many men and women have a torso shape that tapers somewhat to a narrower waist.

Maybe someone who's more familiar with lifting and bodybuilding in particular can address the muscle size part. I find it kind of odd to think of a person having a very muscular back but not a muscular chest.

Mellouk89

penguinmama87 wrote: »

Maybe someone who's more familiar with lifting and bodybuilding in particular can address the muscle size part. I find it kind of odd to think of a person having a very muscular back but not a muscular chest.

Yeah it's due to me recovering from a shoulder injury, I did pretty much nothing but pulling movements for a couple of months because pressing movements caused a lot of discomfort and pain in my shoulders. During that time I did close grip chin ups and inverted rows + curls.

I don't think the chest is very much worked in these exercises. Maybe a little bit i'm not sure