bench press vs chest press

[bass slayer]

what is the difference between the bench press and a chest press machine? do they work different muscles and is one better than the other?

[40 Nunc]

Bench press is a better execise. It works the primary muscle group along with secondary/core muscles. The machine just isolates the primary muscle.

[bass slayer]

should i do the machine though if i dont have a spotter?

[Lunar Effect]

You should never use a machine. Ever.

[bass slayer]

how should i do the bench press without the spotter then? should i use the rack they have with the pulley system? (its a squatting rack that has a pulley system and then it has hooks and safty holes every 6 inches)

thank you for the information though. i will stop wasting time on the machines

[Steven001]

Easy, just bench and don't got for any 1 rep maxes. You should know how far to push yourself.

[BigTallOx]

You should never use a machine. Ever.

Agreed.

[bschatz88]

You're far better off sticking to the bench bro

[Tumbler]

Just bench in a cage. Make sure to set the catch bars high enough so you can dump the weight on them if you need to. You should be able to tell if your going to get the next rep. I've noticed that if you don't have a spotter that you tend to be able to push out that extra rep when it gets really tough, because you know you HAVE to get it or your dropping the weight.

[jbrin0tk]

Just bench in a cage. Make sure to set the catch bars high enough so you can dump the weight on them if you need to. You should be able to tell if your going to get the next rep. I've noticed that if you don't have a spotter that you tend to be able to push out that extra rep when it gets really tough, because you know you HAVE to get it or your dropping the weight.

This is good advice.

[ZenMonkey]

right. not in the smith machine either.

[bass slayer]

thanks guys for the responses. i deffinetly feel better results with bench pressing compared to the machines

[Painzer]

Just bench in a cage. Make sure to set the catch bars high enough so you can dump the weight on them if you need to. You should be able to tell if your going to get the next rep. I've noticed that if you don't have a spotter that you tend to be able to push out that extra rep when it gets really tough, because you know you HAVE to get it or your dropping the weight.

This is so true. Knowing that if you don't get that last rep up you're going to look like a turd in front of everybody gives more than enough adrenaline to push it up.... haha

[Durendal]

All good tips here, I'd just like to add that whenever I didn't have a spotter for chest workouts I'd do my benching with DBs instead. That way if you can't get that last rep in you can just drop the DBs to the side.

Although one time about 5 mins after setting up dinner with this hot girl I just met in the gym I was really mentally pumped, this resulted in pushing more reps than my muscles could handle, the left side completely failing and 70lbs basically free falling on to my chest, luckily she had already gone over to the cardio side of the gym. So watch out for that.

[pottsy07]

bass slayer how long have you been around here now lol?? im not being rude but if you read this site everyday there is nearly always a post which compares machines to free weights lol, also google a lot of things and it works. People dont always recommend the main compound exercises on this site for nothing, they do suggest them for a reason!! lol

[OGROK]

That's such bull****. Machines are fine as long as you use them WITH compound freeweight exercises. For example, on my back days I like to start with Bent Rows and then hit up the Hammer Low Row to isolate my upper back more than the barbell row can.

[joelhall]

how should i do the bench press without the spotter then? should i use the rack they have with the pulley system? (its a squatting rack that has a pulley system and then it has hooks and safty holes every 6 inches)

thank you for the information though. i will stop wasting time on the machines

strong bag, weights, push-ups

[pert121]

I don't think machines are a NEVER....depends on what your training for, I have used them many a times when doing my workouts, yes since I stopped bodybuilding they are very limited use in my training, but as mentioned earlier, some of the back machines are great.

[AJ_H]

learn to dump the weight

[bass slayer]

bass slayer how long have you been around here now lol?? im not being rude but if you read this site everyday there is nearly always a post which compares machines to free weights lol, also google a lot of things and it works. People dont always recommend the main compound exercises on this site for nothing, they do suggest them for a reason!! lol

sorry dude i was just asking a question. i didnt really think it would be a problem? i was just carious and i wanted to know if i was doing something wrong.
thank you for the responses though.