Best Beginner Chest And Back Workouts With Flat Bench

About

Utilize a flat bench to enhance your exercise routine, offering optimal positioning and versatility when paired with other workout equipment.

This program includes beginner-friendly exercises, perfect for those with less than a year of experience, focusing on safety and gradual progression.

The chest is the primary target, engaging the pectoral muscles through pressing and shoulder movement patterns for balanced development.

Simultaneously, the back is strengthened, addressing pulling movements and fostering a strong, stable upper torso.

Exercises are designed to equally focus on chest and back, promoting symmetry and balanced muscular engagement across the upper body.

The 13 Best Beginner Chest and Back Exercises with Flat Bench

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Dumbbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    8,452,674
    Chest Strength
    99 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 2. Dumbbell Fly

    SETS LOGGED
    6,618,981
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    8,648,581
    Back Strength
    99 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Row is a great exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps while also engaging your core for stability. You can do this exercise using a flat bench and dumbbells, making it accessible even with limited equipment.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Row is a great exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps while also engaging your core for stability. You can do this exercise using a flat bench and dumbbells, making it accessible even with limited equipment.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 4. Smith Machine Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    922,042
    Chest Strength
    66 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Smith Machine Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your triceps and shoulders too. The Smith Machine helps keep the movement steady, making it easier to focus on properly performing the exercise.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your triceps and shoulders too. The Smith Machine helps keep the movement steady, making it easier to focus on properly performing the exercise.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 5. Dumbbell Squeeze Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,242,901
    Chest Strength
    90 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Squeeze Press is an exercise that mainly works your chest, shoulders, and triceps. By pressing the dumbbells together, you keep constant tension on your chest, making it effective without needing extra equipment.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Squeeze Press is an exercise that mainly works your chest, shoulders, and triceps. By pressing the dumbbells together, you keep constant tension on your chest, making it effective without needing extra equipment.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 6. Dumbbell Larson Press

    SETS LOGGED
    131,545
    Chest Strength
    80 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Larson Press is a chest exercise that targets your chest, shoulders, and triceps without using your legs for support. By elevating your legs, you focus more on upper body strength and stability, helping improve your bench press form.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Larson Press is a chest exercise that targets your chest, shoulders, and triceps without using your legs for support. By elevating your legs, you focus more on upper body strength and stability, helping improve your bench press form.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 7. Leg Raise With Dumbbell Pull Over

    SETS LOGGED
    107,071
    Chest Strength
    74 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Leg Raise With Dumbbell Pull Over is a workout combining a leg raise and a dumbbell pull over. This exercise works your core, shoulders, and back, helping to improve strength and stability.

    How to do it

    The Leg Raise With Dumbbell Pull Over is a workout combining a leg raise and a dumbbell pull over. This exercise works your core, shoulders, and back, helping to improve strength and stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 8. EZ Bar PJR Pull Over

    SETS LOGGED
    29,847
    Back Strength
    68 mScore
    Back
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The EZ Bar PJR Pull Over is an exercise that works your lats, triceps, and chest. Using an EZ-Bar makes the grip more comfortable and helps stretch the muscles effectively, which is great for building upper body strength.

    How to do it

    The EZ Bar PJR Pull Over is an exercise that works your lats, triceps, and chest. Using an EZ-Bar makes the grip more comfortable and helps stretch the muscles effectively, which is great for building upper body strength.

  • 9. EZ-Bar Pull Over

    SETS LOGGED
    45,133
    Back Strength
    68 mScore
    Back
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The EZ-Bar Pull Over is an effective exercise for building strength in the upper back and chest, while also working the shoulders and triceps. It uses an EZ-Bar which allows for a comfortable grip and helps maintain stability during the movement.

    How to do it

    The EZ-Bar Pull Over is an effective exercise for building strength in the upper back and chest, while also working the shoulders and triceps. It uses an EZ-Bar which allows for a comfortable grip and helps maintain stability during the movement.

  • 10. Around the Worlds

    SETS LOGGED
    529,675
    Chest Strength
    93 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    Around the Worlds is an exercise focused on strengthening the shoulders and chest. You will move dumbbells in a circular motion above your head, helping improve arm mobility and muscle activation.

    How to do it

    Around the Worlds is an exercise focused on strengthening the shoulders and chest. You will move dumbbells in a circular motion above your head, helping improve arm mobility and muscle activation.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 11. Incline Push Up

    SETS LOGGED
    1,647,408
    Chest Strength
    71 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    Incline push-ups work your lower chest and shoulders while being easier than regular push-ups. They are ideal for beginners who want to strengthen their lower chest.

    How to do it

    Incline push-ups work your lower chest and shoulders while being easier than regular push-ups. They are ideal for beginners who want to strengthen their lower chest.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 12. Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    753,262
    Chest Strength
    80 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your pecs, shoulders, and triceps. It involves lifting one dumbbell at a time, helping to improve balance and strengthen your core. This exercise also helps enhance muscle endurance by keeping the muscles under tension longer.

    How to do it

    The Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your pecs, shoulders, and triceps. It involves lifting one dumbbell at a time, helping to improve balance and strengthen your core. This exercise also helps enhance muscle endurance by keeping the muscles under tension longer.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 13. Incline Tricep Push Up

    SETS LOGGED
    304,832
    Chest Strength
    73 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Incline Tricep Push Up is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps, shoulders, and chest. By placing your hands on an elevated surface, you can easily target your upper arms while maintaining good form.

    How to do it

    The Incline Tricep Push Up is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps, shoulders, and chest. By placing your hands on an elevated surface, you can easily target your upper arms while maintaining good form.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Chest and Back Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts with Flat Bench

Alternative Chest and Back Workouts with Flat Bench