what does bench press target

The bench press is a compound exercise that targets several muscles in the upper body, including the chest, shoulders, and arms. The primary muscles worked during the bench press are the pectoralis major, anterior deltoids, and triceps. However, the bench press also recruits several secondary movers to assist in the pushing movement, including the serratus anterior, lats, and traps. Depending on the specific variation of the bench press, different muscles may be emphasized. For example, a narrower grip bench press will put extra emphasis on the triceps and forearms. Other benefits of adding bench presses to your weight-training regimen include increasing upper body strength, improving muscular endurance, and even preparing your upper body to do movements like pushups. The bench press is a great way to work your upper body muscles and make them stronger.