Exercise Comparison
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip vs Standing Cable Chest Press
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.
Standing Cable Chest Press
Position dual pulleys to chest height and select an appropriate weight. Stand a foot or two in front of the cables, holding one in each hand. You can stagger your stance for better stability.
Position the upper arm at a 90 degree angle with the shoulder blades together. This will be your starting position.
Keeping the rest of the body stationary, extend through the elbows to press the handles forward, drawing them together in front of you.
Pause at the top of the motion, and return to the starting position.
Verdict
Both exercises target the chest. Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Standing Cable Chest Press is beginner and uses cable. Choose Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip if you have access to barbell, or Standing Cable Chest Press if you prefer cable.