Exercise Comparison
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip vs Plyo Push-up
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Instructions
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip
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.
From the starting position, breathe in and begin coming down slowly until the bar touches your middle chest.
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.
Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Plyo Push-up
Move into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your hands and toes.
Your arms should be fully extended with the hands around shoulder width. Keep your body straight throughout the movement. This will be your starting position.
Descend by flexing at the elbow, lowering your chest towards the ground.
At the bottom, reverse the motion by pushing yourself up through elbow extension as quickly as possible. Attempt to push your upper body up until your hands leave the ground.
Return to the starting position and repeat the exercise.
For added difficulty, add claps into the movement while you are air borne.
Verdict
Both exercises target the chest. Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Plyo Push-up is beginner and uses bodyweight. Choose Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip if you have access to barbell, or Plyo Push-up if you prefer bodyweight.