Barbell Bench Press / Chest Press
How to Do Barbell Bench Press / Chest Press
- Position yourself with your back down on a flat bench placing the hands up on the bar using an underhand grip slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
- After taking a deep breath in, extend the elbows and lift the bar up off the rack until elbows are extended but not locked. Pause for a brief movement as you fully extend your breath.
- Lower the weight directly down to the chest as you breath inwards, keeping the movement pattern slow and steady.
- Once just above the chest, pause, and then press directly up again, exhaling your breath.
- Continue until all reps are completed and then re-rack the barbell.
Build clear, professional workouts, keep clients engaged and grow your training business. Try free for 2 weeks.
Follow ready-made home and gym plans with visual demos and timers – or create custom workouts from exercises like this.
Our illustrated Yoga Cards deck is the perfect way to start practicing at home – no class, no studio, no experience needed. 100,000+ sold.
Related Chest Exercises
Hammer Strength Machine / Seated Chest Press
Single / One Arm Wall Push Ups / Push-Ups
Standing Cable Chest Press
Barbell Bench Press / Chest Press Exercise Details
Muscles worked
Barbell Bench Press / Chest Press targets chest and also works shoulders and triceps. Use the illustration and step-by-step instructions above to learn the movement pattern and practice proper form.
Equipment needed
This is a gym exercise. Equipment required: barbell / ez-bar.
Similar exercises
Related exercises that work similar muscle groups include Hammer strength machine / seated chest press, single / one arm wall push ups / push-ups and standing cable chest press. Browse our free illustrated exercise directory for more exercises.
Use this exercise in a workout
Want to use this exercise in a full routine? Our WorkoutLabs Fit workout app lets you follow ready-made home and gym workout plans or build custom workouts with exercises like this. Try it free today.
Exercise illustration licensing: Our exercise and yoga pose illustrations (static and animated) are selectively available for licensing for commercial and non-commercial projects. Visit our exercise illustrations licensing page for detailed information and to submit in inquiry.
Build clear, professional workouts, keep clients engaged and grow your training business. Try free for 2 weeks.
Follow ready-made home and gym plans with visual demos and timers – or create custom workouts from exercises like this.
Our illustrated Yoga Cards deck is the perfect way to start practicing at home – no class, no studio, no experience needed. 100,000+ sold.
