Decline Bench Press vs Lay Down Pushup
Maximizing Your Chest Workout Plan
Contents
Lay Down Push-up is the easier place to start — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 5. Compare Chest form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Chest Workout: Explore the Benefits of Decline Bench Press and Lay Down Pushup for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Decline Bench Press vs Lay Down Pushup : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lay Down Pushup more often — 656 sessions compared to 484 for Decline Bench Press.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Decline Bench Press and Lay Down Pushup differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Decline Bench Press and Lay Down Pushup Differ
| What differs | Decline Bench Press | Lay Down Pushup |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 484 sessions | 656 sessions |
How to Decline Bench Press
Decline Bench Press muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches your chest. It should be lower than in a typical bench press.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be vertical to the floor.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. If you have high intraocular pressure, please substitute with other exercises.
- 2. If the barbell does not touch your chest, lower it as much as possible without straining.
- 3. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 4. Be careful not to let your buttocks come off the bench.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Decline Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Decline Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
How to Lay Down Pushup
Lay Down Pushup muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Lie on the floor with your hands under your shoulders.
- 2. Extend your arms and lift your body.
- 3. Slowly return to the original position.
Coach's Comment
- Keep your upper body straight when doing push-up plus.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Lay Down Pushup, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Lay Down Pushup Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Decline Bench Press or Lay Down Pushup?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Chest, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Decline Bench Press and Lay Down Pushup need?
Decline Bench Press needs a barbell, and Lay Down Pushup needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Lay Down Pushup is the easier place to start. Move to Decline Bench Press once your form holds up.
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