Exercise Comparison
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip vs Suspended 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.
Suspended Push-Up
Anchor your suspension straps securely to the top of a rack or other object.
Leaning into the straps, take a handle in each hand and move into a push-up plank position. You should be as close to parallel to the ground as you can manage with your arms fully extended, maintaining good posture.
Maintaining a straight, rigid torso, descend slowly by allowing the elbows to flex.
Continue until your elbows break 90 degrees, pausing before you extend to return to the starting position.
Verdict
Both exercises target the chest. Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Suspended Push-Up is beginner and uses other. Choose Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip if you have access to barbell, or Suspended Push-Up if you prefer other.