Chest Press

Setup

- Inspect the machine and all pins, pads or stops. Choose a conservative first load and make sure you can leave the position safely.

- For Chest Press, keep the implement, grip, support and direction shown by the name and, when available, the image. If that setup is unavailable, choose an offered alternative instead of improvising another exercise.

- Set the shoulder blades gently back and down. Keep the wrists over the elbows and the ribs controlled.

Execution

- Lower with the elbows about 30–60° from the torso, then press without losing shoulder or trunk position.

Range, tempo and breathing

- Perform 3 × 8–12 repetitions. Lower for about 2–3 seconds, change direction without bouncing and lift in 1–2 seconds unless the plan sets another tempo.

- Brace before the effort. Exhale through the controlled lifting or shortening phase and inhale during the return without losing position.

Common mistakes and prevention

- Do not flare the elbows, bounce at the bottom or lift the shoulders. Reduce load and keep wrist and elbow aligned.

Regression and progression

- Reduce the load and, if needed, shorten the pain-free range while keeping the same setup.

- Add repetitions within the target range first, then increase load only if every repetition keeps the same path and reserve.

Stop signals

- Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness, dizziness, chest pain, unusual shortness of breath or loss of control. Swap the exercise if a comfortable, controlled version is not available.