EMG or Electromyography, is the study of electrical signals produced by muscles. This study shows which exercises activate certain muscles the greatest. Very useful if you want to develop a certain muscle to the exclusion of others. The greater the EMG signal, the greater the activation of that muscle by that exercise.
Exercise EMG
Pectoralis Major (chest)
Decline dumbbell bench presses 93
Decline bench presses (Olympic bar) 90
Push-ups between benches 88
Flat dumbbell bench presses 87
Flat bench presses (Olympic bar) 85
Flat dumbbell flys 84
Pectoralis Minor (chest)
Incline dumbbell bench presses 91
incline bench presses (Olympic bar) 85
Incline dumbbell flys 83
Incline bench presses (Smith machine) 81
Rectus Femoris (Quadriceps)
Saftey squats (90 degree angle) 88
Seated leg extensions (toes straight) 86
Half Squats (90 degree angle) 78
Leg presses (110 degree angle) 76
Smith machine squats (90-degree angle) 60
Biceps Femoris (Hamstrings)
Standing leg curls 82
Lying leg curls 71
Seated leg curls 58
Modified hamstring dead lifts 56
Semitendinosus (Hamstrings)
Seated leg curls 88
Standing leg curls 79
Lying leg curls 70
Modified hamstring dead lifts 63
Gastrocnemius (Calf muscle)
Donkey calf raises 80
Standing one-legged calf raises 79
Standing two-legged calf raises 68
Seated calf raises 61
Triceps Brachii (Outer head)
Decline triceps extension (Olympic bar) 92
Triceps pressdowns (angled bar) 90
Triceps dips between benches 87
One-arm cable triceps extensions (reverse grip) 85
Overhead rope triceps extensions 84
Seated one-arm dumbbell triceps extension 82
Narrow-grip bench presses (Olympic bar) 72
Latissimus Dorsi (Back)
Bent-over barbell rows 93
One-arm dumbbell row (alternate) 91
T-bar rows 89
Lat pull-downs to front 86
Seated pulley rows 83
Biceps Brachii (Long Head)
Biceps preacher curls (Olympic bar) 90
Incline seated dumbbell curls (alternate) 88
Standing biceps curls (Olympic bar/narrow grip) 86
Standing dumbbell curls (alternate) 84
Concentration dumbbell curls 80
Standing biceps curls (Olympic bar/wide grip) 63
Standing E-Z biceps curls (wide grip) 61
Anterior Deltoids (Shoulders)
Seated front dumbbell presses 79
Standing front dumbbell raises 73
Seated front barbell presses 61
Medial Deltoids (Shoulders)
Standing dumbbell side laterals 57
Seated dumbbell side lateral 53
Cable side laterals 49
Posterior Deltoids (Shoulders)
Standing dumbbell bent laterals 85
Seated dumbbell bent laterals 83
Standing cable bent laterals 77
This should settle a few of the 'this exercise is best for this muscle' debates.
http://www.gk22.com/articles/1_iemg.shtml
Enjoy !
SD