Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip

Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip — Start position
Start position
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip — End position
End position
Region
Chest
Equipment
Barbell
Category
Strength
Level
Beginner
Mechanic
compound
Force
push

Muscles worked

  • chest
  • shoulders
  • triceps

Filled = primary · Outlined = secondary

Source: Free Exercise DB (public domain)

How to perform

  1. Lie back on a flat bench. Using a medium width grip (a grip that creates a 90-degree angle in the middle of the movement between the forearms and the upper arms), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.

  2. From the starting position, breathe in and begin coming down slowly until the bar touches your middle chest.

  3. After a brief pause, push the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out. Focus on pushing the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms and squeeze your chest in the contracted position at the top of the motion, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: Ideally, lowering the weight should take about twice as long as raising it.

  4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

  5. When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

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