Exercise Comparison
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip vs Push Up to Side Plank
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Push Up to Side Plank
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 to Side Plank
Get into pushup position on the toes with your hands just outside of shoulder width.
Perform a pushup by allowing the elbows to flex. As you descend, keep your body straight.
Do one pushup and as you come up, shift your weight on the left side of the body, twist to the side while bringing the right arm up towards the ceiling in a side plank.
Lower the arm back to the floor for another pushup and then twist to the other side.
Repeat the series, alternating each side, for 10 or more reps.
Verdict
Both exercises target the chest. Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Push Up to Side Plank is beginner and uses bodyweight. Choose Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip if you have access to barbell, or Push Up to Side Plank if you prefer bodyweight.