Bench Press

The bench press is an upper body exercise. The person performing the exercise lies on his or her back, lowers a weight to chest level, and then pushes the weight back up, straightening the arms. The exercise focuses on the development of the major pectoral muscle as well as other supporting muscles including the anterior deltoids, serratus anterior, coracobrachialis, scapulae fixers, trapezii, and the triceps. The barbell bench press is one of three lifts in the sport of power-lifting and is used extensively in weight training, bodybuilding, and other types of lifting fitness training to develop the chest muscles.