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Chest Press (Machine)

Primary muscle
Chest
Secondary muscles
ShouldersTriceps
Equipment
Machine

Overview

A seated, machine-guided press that trains the chest, front shoulders and triceps. The fixed path makes it easy to learn and safe to push close to failure.

How to do it

  1. Adjust the seat so the handles line up with your mid-chest.

  2. Sit with your back flat against the pad and your feet firmly on the floor.

  3. Grip the handles and pull your shoulder blades back against the pad.

  4. Press the handles forward until your arms are straight but not locked.

  5. Return slowly until you feel a stretch in your chest, without letting the weight stack touch down.

Tips

  • Keep your wrists straight and in line with your forearms.
  • Breathe out as you press and in as you return.

Common mistakes

  • Setting the seat so the handles line up with your neck or stomach.
  • Letting your shoulders come forward off the pad at the end of each press.
  • Letting the weight stack slam down between reps.

Similar exercises

All Chest exercises

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