Exercise Comparison
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip vs Push-Up Wide
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Push-Up Wide
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.
Push-Up Wide
With your hands wide apart, support your body on your toes and hands in a plank position. Your elbows should be extended and your body straight. Do not allow your hips to sag. This will be your starting position.
To begin, allow the elbows to flex, lowering your chest to the floor as you inhale.
Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Exhale as you perform this step.
After pausing at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the chest. Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Push-Up Wide is beginner and uses bodyweight. Choose Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip if you have access to barbell, or Push-Up Wide if you prefer bodyweight.