Bench Press - Powerlifting
- Main muscles
- Triceps
- Also works
- Chest, Forearms, Lats, Shoulders
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Level
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound · Push
How to do it
- Begin by lying on the bench, getting your head beyond the bar if possible. Tuck your feet underneath you and arch your back. Using the bar to help support your weight, lift your shoulder off the bench and retract them, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Use your feet to drive your traps into the bench. Maintain this tight body position throughout the movement.
- However wide your grip, it should cover the ring on the bar. Pull the bar out of the rack without protracting your shoulders. Focus on squeezing the bar and trying to pull it apart.
- Lower the bar to your lower chest or upper stomach. The bar, wrist, and elbow should stay in line at all times.
- Pause when the barbell touches your torso, and then drive the bar up with as much force as possible. The elbows should be tucked in until lockout.
Quick answers
- What muscles does the Bench Press - Powerlifting work?
- Mainly the triceps, with help from the chest, forearms, lats, shoulders.
- What equipment do I need?
- Barbell.
- Is it good for beginners?
- It is rated intermediate level.
- How do I track progress on it?
- Log each set and beat the weight or reps from last time. Liftrung shows your last set beside the next one and estimates your one-rep max from your sets.
More triceps exercises
- Bench Press with Chains
- Board Press
- Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press
- Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher
- Decline EZ Bar Triceps Extension
- Floor Press
Exercise descriptions: free-exercise-db, public domain.