There aren’t too many articles written on the development of this tiny muscle group. It’s a shame. because serratus magnus are among the most beautiful muscles of the torso and their development can make a tremendous difference in the overall look of your physique. When fully developed, they stand out like rows of symmetrical cables, fanning from the frontal lats, under the armpits, over the intercostals, and into the rectus abdominals. They add lines to the upper body and create a more muscular appearance.
Not surprisingly, they can be easily covered by thick fat laden skin, but when in full bloom, they’re as sensual and spectacular as a shredded six pack. They’re also paramount in the performance of most upper body movements, both pushing and pulling, which is why so many bodybuilders ignore them since they get plenty of work from presses, crushing exercises, even sit-ups. But all of these movements work the serratus indirectly.
In order to achieve truly impressive serratus magnus muscles, they must be targeted directly. Although their development is essential for a high placement in bodybuilding competitions, many top bodybuilders when not in contest shape, have pretty poor serratus. A few rare examples of men with outstanding serratus development are Flex Wheeler, Dexter Jackson, Mike Matarazzo, Chris Cormier and Kevin Levrone.
The best approach toward developing any small muscle is to isolate it and that principle holds true for the serratus. Some bodybuilders have an excellent comprehension of how the various muscles move and work whereas others couldn’t care less about such anatomical academia. Since the serratus are so rarely trained directly, their function may be less understood. Without getting too technical yet providing adequate information, here’s a brief lowdown on the mysterious serratus.
