Barbell Bench Press

Target Muscle

Secondary Muscles

Equipment

1

Lift the bar from the rack (or have a spotter help you) and hold it straight over your chest with your arms fully extended.

2

Inhale and slowly lower the bar down to your chest, ensuring that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle and your forearms are vertical.

3

Pause for a moment, then exhale and push the bar back to the starting position, using your chest muscles to drive the movement.

4

Repeat this motion for your desired number of repetitions, then carefully re-rack the barbell or have your spotter do so.

Pro Tip

**Grip**: Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. The bar should rest on the base of your palms with your wrists straight. A common mistake is to hold the bar in the fingers, which can lead to wrist injuries and less power. **Lowering the Bar**: Lower the bar to your mid-chest slowly and under control. Avoid bouncing the bar off your chest, as this can lead to shoulder injuries and reduces the effectiveness of the exercise. **Pressing the Bar**: Push the bar back up until your arms are straight. Make sure to use your chest muscles to push the bar, not just your arms. Avoid locking your