Editing Bench press (section)

{{short description|Exercise of the upper body}}
[[File:Bench press 1.jpg|thumb|A man performs a [[barbell]] bench press while another [[Spotting (weight training)|spots]] him.]]
The '''bench press''' or '''chest press''' is a [[weight training]] exercise where a person presses a weight upwards while lying horizontally on a [[weight training bench]]. The bench press is a [[Compound movements|compound movement]], with the primary muscles involved being the [[pectoralis major]], the [[deltoid muscle|anterior deltoids]], and the [[triceps brachii muscle|triceps brachii]]. Other muscles located in the back, legs and core are involved for stabilization. A [[barbell]] is generally used to hold the weight, but a pair of [[dumbbell]]s can also be used.<ref>{{Cite journal|url= http://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Citation/2000/08000/Dumbbell_Bench_Press_.22.aspx|title= Dumbbell bench press|last= John F. Graham|date= August 2000|journal= Strength and Conditioning Journal|volume= 22|issue= 4|pages= 71|access-date= 7 September 2014}}</ref>

The barbell bench press is one of three lifts in the sport of [[powerlifting]] alongside the [[deadlift]] and [[Squat (exercise)|the squat]], and is the only lift in [[Paralympic powerlifting]]. The bench press is also extensively used in weight training, [[bodybuilding]], and other types of training to develop upper body muscles, primarily the pectoralis major. To improve upper body strength, power, and endurance for athletic, occupational, and functional performance as well as muscle development, the barbell bench press is frequently used.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Ronai |first=Peter |date=November 2018 |title=The Bench Press Exercise |journal=ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal |language=en-US |volume=22 |issue=6 |pages=52–57 |doi=10.1249/FIT.0000000000000432 |issn=1091-5397|doi-access=free }}</ref>