Getting a bigger chest with Polands Syndrome?

[Kammell]

Hey folks, wanted to pose this question here to see if anyone else has had any success/advice, or if you are familiar with this particular genetic disorder.

I've been training consonantly for the past few years, the weight I'm able to push has gone up for every exercise, and I can see definition everywhere, the only issue is my chest. To maintain proper form on bench I've been using the slingshot which has helped overall, but the bigger issue I'm facing is that my pectoral major is missing.

Am I just SoL in this regard?

Thanks in advance, and Admin/Mod's if this is the wrong location apologies in advance

 

[CJ]

Well, if you're literally missing your pec major, then yes, you're SOL on developing your chest.

And the slingshot works by taking load off at the bottom, where your chest would be needed. At the top of the movement, triceps play a bigger role.

 

[snake]

Dude, I had to look that one up honestly.

I got nothing to add to what CJ said other than you're my fuuking hero. So many people these days are looking for an excuse not to do something, you're looking for a way to get the job done. That's a role model to me.

 

[Yano]

You fucking rock man , where there is a will there is a way. While you can't strengthen a muscle you don't have you can work everything that you do have yeah ?

Thats the ticket then ,tricep work ,lat work ,back work those will help , anti rotational work might help things like pallof presses, or bird dog rows , planks , lunges with a twist to help develop and stabalize your core and get more out of your leg drive.

This will bring a smile to your face as well.

Keir’s powerlifting journey

I’m Keir. I’m 47 and live with Poland syndrome. I hadn’t heard of the condition until I was about 30 years old. I’ve got no right pectoral major and a chunk of my latissimus dorsi is missing.

geneticalliance.org.uk

 

[Thrawn]

Besides all the really awesome stuff and encouragement everybody else has posted I feel compelled as part Polish to crack some type of Polish joke here. while I can't think of a joke I could only think of how the syndrome acquired its name and the only thing I could think of is how big chunks of Poland have been taken and partitioned away throughout history.

 

[Kammell]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate the encouragement!

Funny enough @Yano i've been talking a lot to the powerlifting guys at my gym getting advice from them on modifications to my current form/technique so that I can work on those muscles I do have.

 

[buck]

Seems you are taking most of the stimulus off the chest, as the load in the stretched position seems to be where most of the activation happens, with a given load from my reading.