What Is a Chest Press?
A chest press is any compound weightlifting exercise that requires the athlete to use his or her arms to push weight away from his chest. These types of exercises benefit the chest, shoulder and triceps muscles and are at the core of most chest-building regimens. Bench presses are the most common type of chest press, but there are many variations that depend on the equipment available and the specific needs and abilities of the athlete. Regardless of the variation, all chest press exercises share the same basic motion. The athlete begins by holding the weight and with his or her arms bent at the elbow until the hands are level with the chest. Then, in a smooth and controlled motion, he or she pushes the weight away from the chest until the arms are completely straight. Then he or she slowly returns the arms to their original position.
