The bench press with the bar running in a Smith machine's track: the most stable of the bar presses, the steadying muscles working least, though the load lifted is a little lower than with a free bar.
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Chest press family
Smith machine bench press
Easier option
These tiers compare demands within this family, not universal safety or a mandatory sequence. Load, range, balance and your circumstances can change difficulty. Choose deliberately; pain does not select a progression.
The bench press with the bar running in a Smith machine's track: the most stable of the bar presses, the steadying muscles working least, though the load lifted is a little lower than with a free bar.
DemandEasy
Equipment requiredStrength machine + A bench or box
Muscle focusChest · Shoulders · Triceps
The figure gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.
Watch this variation on the 3D figure above: it gets into position, then repeats the movement.
Source-researched guide. Clinical review is pending.
How to move
Set a flat bench under the bar so it lines up with the middle of the chest, and lie on it.
Unhook the bar and lower it under control to the chest.
Press back to straight arms, then hook the bar.
Form cues
Set the safety stops just above the chest.
Keep the shoulder blades drawn back on the bench.
Practice and cautions
No universal dose is assigned. Choose a manageable amount for your current capacity, leave room for controlled repetitions, and allow recovery. A clinician’s individual plan takes priority.
This is movement education, not an assessment or treatment prescription. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling; seek individual guidance for symptoms, injury or restrictions.
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5