[header] How to work out chest muscles without weights [title] Perform basic pushups. [step] There are many variations of pushups that can help you build your chest muscles, but for beginners, there's nothing wrong with basic, ordinary pushups. That said, when starting push ups, avoid lowering your chest too close to the ground. 
Lowering yourself too close to the floor can tear tissues in the shoulder. Gradually work your way to lowering yourself slightly closer to the floor over time.