Bench Press vs Smith Machine Bench Press
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Bench Press more often — 38,526 sessions vs 12,714. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Bench Press and Smith Machine Bench Press and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Bench Press vs Smith Machine Bench Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bench Press more often — 38,526 sessions compared to 12,714 for Smith Machine Bench Press.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Bench Press and Smith Machine Bench Press differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Bench Press and Smith Machine Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Bench Press | Smith Machine Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 38,526 sessions | 12,714 sessions |
How to Do Bench Press
Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches below your chest.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without overexerting yourself.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.
For a full Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Bench Press exercise guide.
How to Do Smith Machine Bench Press
Smith Machine Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches just below your chest.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the ground.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back up to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without overexerting yourself.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.
For a full Smith Machine Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Smith Machine Bench Press exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Bench Press or Smith Machine Bench Press?
Planfit users log Bench Press more often — 38,526 sessions against 12,714 for Smith Machine Bench Press. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Bench Press and Smith Machine Bench Press need?
Bench Press needs a barbell, and Smith Machine Bench Press needs a machine.
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