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Exercise Comparison

Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip vs Single-Arm Push-Up

Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip - starting position
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip - ending position
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip
beginner·Barbell·compound
Single-Arm Push-Up - starting position
Single-Arm Push-Up - ending position
Single-Arm Push-Up
intermediate·Bodyweight·compound

Side-by-Side

Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip
VS
Single-Arm Push-Up
beginner
Level
intermediate
Barbell
Equipment
Bodyweight
compound
Mechanic
compound
push
Force
push
Strength
Category
Strength
chest
Primary
chest
shoulderstriceps
Secondary
shoulderstriceps

Muscle Analysis

Shared

chestshoulderstriceps

Instructions

Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip

1

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.

2

From the starting position, breathe in and begin coming down slowly until the bar touches your middle chest.

3

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.

4

Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

5

When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

Single-Arm Push-Up

1

Begin laying prone on the ground. Move yourself into a position supporting your weight on your toes and one arm. Your working arm should be placed directly under the shoulder, fully extended. Your legs should be extended, and for this movement you may need a wider base, placing your feet further apart than in a normal push-up.

2

Maintain good posture, and place your free hand behind your back. This will be your starting position.

3

Lower yourself by allowing the elbow to flex until you touch the ground.

4

Descend slowly, and reverse direction be extending the arm to return to the starting position.

Verdict

Both exercises target the chest. Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Single-Arm Push-Up is intermediate and uses bodyweight. Choose Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Single-Arm Push-Up for a greater challenge.

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