Chest exercises

Barbell Decline Bench Press

Also known as: Développé décliné à la barre · Πιέσεις σε κατωφερή πάγκο με μπάρα · decline bench · decline press

Primary
Chest
Equipment
Barbell
Level
Beginner
Type
Compound
Suggested rest
2 min

How to do the Barbell Decline Bench Press

  1. Hook your feet under the decline bench pads and lie back with your eyes under the bar.

  2. Grip the bar slightly wider than your shoulders and unrack it with straight arms.

  3. Lower the bar under control to your lower chest.

  4. Press the bar up until your arms are straight, ideally with a spotter nearby.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–48–122 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 2.5 kg (5 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Chest

Secondary

Triceps, Shoulders

The pecs push your arms forward and across your body. Presses build the most mass; flyes and cable work load the stretch the presses miss.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Barbell Decline Bench Press doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

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Barbell chest exercises