Female model ex_BX6RW3

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Chest · Smith Machine

Barbell Smith Chest Press

beginnerstrength

Barbell Smith Chest Press is a beginner compound strength exercise that works the pectorals (chest), with the triceps assisting. It needs a smith machine. A typical prescription is 3 sets of 8-12 reps, and it burns about 6.1 calories per minute.

Target
Pectorals
Body part
Chest
Equipment
Smith Machine
Category
Strength
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Sets × reps
3 × 8-12
Calories / min
≈ 6.1 kcal

Primary muscles

  • Chest · Pectoralis Major

Secondary muscles

  • Triceps · Triceps Brachii

How to do Barbell Smith Chest Press

  1. Lie on a flat bench positioned under the smith machine barbell, with your feet flat on the floor and your back pressed firmly against the bench. Grip the barbell with an overhand grip (palms facing forward), hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Unrack the barbell by extending your arms straight up. Having the barbell over your chest with your elbows slightly bent.
  3. Lower the barbell towards your chest by bending your elbows, ensuring the barbell follows a straight path and your elbows are at a 45-degree angle to your torso.
  4. Push the barbell back up to the starting position by extending your elbows, fully engaging your chest muscles. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Form tips

  • Keep your movements slow and controlled to maximize muscle engagement and prevent injury.
  • Maintain a 45-degree angle with your elbows to effectively target your chest muscles.
  • Avoid locking out your elbows at the top of the movement to keep tension on your chest.

Barbell Smith Chest Press alternatives

More pectorals exercises

Barbell Smith Chest Press FAQ

What muscles does Barbell Smith Chest Press work?

Barbell Smith Chest Press mainly works the pectorals in the chest (Pectoralis Major). The triceps work as secondary muscles.

What equipment do you need for Barbell Smith Chest Press?

You need a smith machine.

How many sets and reps of Barbell Smith Chest Press should I do?

Start with 3 sets of 8-12 reps. Pick a load or variation where the last one or two reps are hard but your form stays clean.

Is Barbell Smith Chest Press good for beginners?

Yes. Barbell Smith Chest Press is rated beginner, so it's a sound choice while you learn to train the pectorals.

How many calories does Barbell Smith Chest Press burn?

About 6.1 calories per minute for a person of around 70 kg, based on a MET value of 5. Ten minutes of work is roughly 61 calories; heavier people burn more.

What is a good alternative to Barbell Smith Chest Press?

Other exercises for the pectorals include Chest Press Machine, Machine Chest Press Decline, Dumbbell Chest Press Decline and Barbell Landmine Chest Press.

For developers

Use Barbell Smith Chest Press in your app

Get this exercise and 1,900+ others from the WorkoutX API: 720p MP4 animations at 30 fps without the watermark, male and female models, muscles, instructions and form tips in 7 languages.

# One request returns the exercise and its 720p media links
curl "https://api.workoutxapp.com/v2/exercises/ex_BX6RW3" \
  -H "X-WorkoutX-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "id": "ex_BX6RW3",
  "name": "Barbell Smith Chest Press",
  "model": "female",
  "target": "Pectorals",
  "equipment": "Smith Machine",
  "media": {
    "mp4": "https://…/ex_BX6RW3/mp4-720.mp4?…",
    "poster": "https://…/ex_BX6RW3/poster.jpg?…"
  }
}