Exercise Comparison
Bench Press - Powerlifting vs Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Bench Press - Powerlifting
Instructions
Bench Press - Powerlifting
Begin by lying on the bench, getting your head beyond the bar if possible. Tuck your feet underneath you and arch your back. Using the bar to help support your weight, lift your shoulder off the bench and retract them, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Use your feet to drive your traps into the bench. Maintain this tight body position throughout the movement.
However wide your grip, it should cover the ring on the bar. Pull the bar out of the rack without protracting your shoulders. Focus on squeezing the bar and trying to pull it apart.
Lower the bar to your lower chest or upper stomach. The bar, wrist, and elbow should stay in line at all times.
Pause when the barbell touches your torso, and then drive the bar up with as much force as possible. The elbows should be tucked in until lockout.
Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position
Lie on the floor face down and place your hands closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure that you are holding your torso up at arms' length.
Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
Using your triceps and some of your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Press - Powerlifting is a intermediate exercise using barbell, while Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position is intermediate and uses bodyweight. Choose Bench Press - Powerlifting if you have access to barbell, or Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position if you prefer bodyweight.