How to Do a Chest Press

Proper Form, Variations, and Common Mistakes

chest press on a bench

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

Targets: Pectoral muscles

Equipment Needed: Dumbbells, barbell, or Smith machine

Level: Intermediate

The chest press strength training exercise works the pectoral muscles of the chest. You can use a variety of equipment, including dumbbells, barbells, a Smith machine, suspension trainer, or even resistance bands, to perform a chest press.

A qualified trainer is recommended to guide you through appropriate execution of a chess press, especially if you plan to workout in a home gym. The chest press can be part of an upper body strength workout or muscle building workout.

Benefits

The chest press exercise targets the main muscle of the chest, the pectorals. It also uses the anterior deltoids of the shoulder and the triceps brachii of the upper arm. Building chest support and definition is desirable for a fit look, but building this muscle is also functional. You need strong pecs for power for sports where you swing a bat, racket, or club.

The chest press also helps you with any daily activities that require pushing or carrying. It can help restore muscle balance for athletes that primarily use pulling muscles, such as in wrestling, rock climbing, and swimming.

Step-by-Step Instructions

While you can do the chest press with a variety of equipment (see Variations, below), these instructions use dumbbells.

  1. Lie on a bench or floor with a dumbbell in each hand. If you use a bench, you may have your feet up on the bench or on the floor, whichever is comfortable for bench height and your body and leg length. A top-rated weight bench can help you do classic weightlifting exercises, like body and chest presses, properly and safely.
  2. Position the dumbbells at the shoulders with upper arms at about 45 degrees to the body. Keep elbows forward of the shoulder line to avoid stress on the shoulder joint. The palms should face forward and your thumbs should be wrapped around the handle.
  3. Brace the abdominal muscles, tilt the chin slightly toward the chest and ensure you are in a stable and comfortable position. You're ready to lift.
  4. Push the weights upward while exhaling, taking care not to lock out the elbows in an explosive movement. The weights should follow a shallow arc and almost meet over the top of the chest. It's OK to straighten the arms as long as you don’t do it with sudden or explosive force. The head and shoulder blades should not rise off the bench or floor.
  5. Lower the weights, muscles contracted, while inhaling and controlling the return to the starting position.

To start with, try three sets of 10 exercise repetitions of an appropriate weight. You can place the weights down between sets.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these errors so you get the most out of this exercise and prevent strain or injury.

Losing Natural Back Arch

Maintain the natural arch in the lower back; don’t force the back into the surface. This is called the lordotic curve and is a natural stability mechanism.

Arms Too Far Apart

Don't allow the forearms to spread wide so that the weights are outside the line of the elbows. Move in an arc toward the center of the chest, but don't crash the weights together at the top of the move.

Weights Too Heavy

Don’t contort the upper body and shoulders to thrust the weights upward. If you find yourself doing this, the weights are too heavy. If fatigue occurs during the final repetitions of any set, reduce the repetition numbers or go for lighter weights. Don't risk injury to yourself or others.

Lifting Too Fast

Lifting too fast or with explosive force can injure your elbows. Try to move the weights in a controlled, smooth, not-too-fast lift.

Not Using a Spotter

It is always recommended to have someone assist you during a chest press exercise, especially if you're advanced and using heavier weights. This person is often called a "spotter" and many people at the gym are willing to "spot you" if asked.

Modifications and Variations

You can make this exercise more accessible as you build strength, then give yourself more of a challenge as you progress.

Need a Modification?

Beginner exercisers may want to start with the seated chest press machine to build strength in the pectoral muscles. It helps reduce errors of form and is adjustable.

Incline Dumbbell Press

Modify the dumbbell chest press by adjusting the bench to a 15– to 30-degree incline and perform the exercise as instructed above. Remember to keep your back and shoulders stable through each repetition as you maintain appropriate distance between the dumbbells.

Cable Press

You can also try this exercise with a cable press machine. Adjust the the cable pulley to shoulder height and stand in the center, holding the handle of each pulley as you lift your arms to shoulder height. Engage your chest muscles and press the handles forward to fully extend your arms. With control, release back to your starting position.

To familiarize yourself with the proper form and motion of the exercise, start with light dumbbells and pay attention to the motion. If you feel any pain, you should not perform the exercise.

Up for a Challenge?

Once you are able to do the chest lift with proper form, you can begin to increase the weight. As you use heavier weights, be sure to use a spotter when you try these challenging exercises.

Standing Press

You should only attempt the standing press if you have a solid foundation and have perfected your form. Note that this exercise works your chest muscles less since it tests your balance and stability. You'll feel this exercise the most in your transverse abdominus (TVA) muscle, the erector spinae muscles that support the spine, and your rotator cuffs.

Plate-Loaded Press

This variation can be performed lying on a bench or standing up. The plate-loaded press targets your pectorals and also reduces the risk of injury since you squeeze the weight to maintain muscular engagement during the exercise.

Varying your elbow position will target your muscles differently. If your elbows are closer to your sides it will work the triceps more. If your elbows are flared out you will work your pectorals more.

Safety and Precautions

Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about whether this exercise if appropriate for you if you have had an injury to or recent surgery involving your chest muscles or shoulders. If at any time you feel pain in your arms, shoulders, or chest, end the exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do chest presses work?

The chest press primarily works the pectoral muscles but it also targets the deltoids, triceps, biceps, and serratus anterior along the upper portion of the ribcage.

Is a chest press the same as a bench press?

A chest press and bench press are essentially the same exercise. However, a bench press is always performed lying on your back with a weighted barbell whereas a chest press can be performed seated, standing, or on an incline with dumbbells.

Try It Out

Incorporate this move and similar ones into one of these popular workouts:

By Paul Rogers
Paul Rogers is a personal trainer with experience in a wide range of sports, including track, triathlon, marathon, hockey, tennis, and baseball.