Best Chest And Back Workouts With Flat Bench To Build Muscle Mass

The Barbell Bench Press is a key exercise for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It’s commonly used in fitness programs and is essential for evaluating upper body strength.

How to do it

1. Lie on a bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the ground.
2. Ensure your head, shoulders, and butt are on the bench throughout the exercise.
3. Grip the barbell slightly wider than your shoulders and lift it above your chest.
4. Engage your core by tightening your stomach muscles as you lower the barbell to your chest, keeping your elbows at a 45-degree angle.
5. Gently touch your chest with the barbell, then push it back up to the starting position while exhaling.

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

1. Lie back on a bench, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
2. Place your feet flat on the ground, under your knees.
3. Hold the dumbbells outside shoulder-width apart, above your chest.
4. Keep your elbows at a 45-degree angle and engage your core.
5. Extend your arms fully and then lower the dumbbells back to starting position.

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

1. Lie on your back on a bench, squeezing your shoulder blades together and keeping your feet flat on the ground.
2. Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and buttocks.
3. Hold the dumbbells above your shoulders with palms facing inward and elbows slightly bent.
4. Engage your core and slowly lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
5. When the dumbbells are level with your chest, exhale and lift them back to the starting position.

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

1. Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
2. Kneel on the bench with your right knee and place your right hand on the bench's edge.
3. Keep your torso parallel to the ground and grab the dumbbell with your left hand, palm facing your torso.
4. Pull the dumbbell up to your side, engaging your back; exhale as you lift.
5. Pause briefly at the top, then lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.

Decline Push Up is a challenging version of the standard Push Up. It mainly works your chest, triceps, and shoulders, focusing more on the upper chest because your feet are elevated. This exercise helps strengthen your upper body effectively.

How to do it

1. Place your hands on the floor outside of shoulder width.
2. Elevate your feet on a bench or box.
3. Keep your hips and knees straight.
4. Lower your chest towards the floor by bending your elbows at a 45-degree angle.
5. Push back up to the starting position after your chest is close to the floor.

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

1. Lie on your back on a bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together.
2. Make sure your head, shoulders, and butt stay on the bench.
3. Place your feet flat on the ground and keep your knees bent.
4. Position the bar over your chest, holding it just outside shoulder-width with an overhand grip.
5. Engage your core and unhook the bar, lowering it slowly towards your chest while keeping your elbows at a 45-degree angle.
6. Touch your chest gently with the bar, then exhale and push it back to the starting position.

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

1. Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing in, resting on your chest.
2. Press the dumbbells together and raise them above your chest, extending your arms.
3. Keep pressing the dumbbells together as you lower them back to the starting position.

Bird Dog Rows are a strength exercise that targets your back, core, and glutes. This move helps improve balance and stability by combining a rowing action with a Bird Dog position, making it great for building functional strength.

How to do it

1. Set a dumbbell at the head of a bench.
2. Get on your hands and knees with your knees under your hips and hands under your shoulders, gripping the bench.
3. Pick up the dumbbell with one hand, palm facing in.
4. Keep the same-side knee on the bench and the opposite-side hand gripping the bench.
5. Engage your core, lift your opposite leg straight back, in line with your body.
6. Pull the dumbbell up to your side, keeping your elbow close to your body.
7. Hold for a moment, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down.
8. Switch sides and repeat.

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

1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand.
2. Lie back on a flat bench with your legs extended and toes pointing up.
3. Position the dumbbells wider than shoulder-width, palms facing your feet.
4. Keep your head, shoulders, and hips on the bench.
5. Press the dumbbells above your chest, engaging your chest muscles.
6. Pause at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back down.

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

1. Hold a dumbbell with both hands, gripping the head firmly.
2. Lie back on a flat bench with the dumbbell resting on your chest.
3. Lift your legs off the ground, extending them straight up.
4. Move the dumbbell overhead, keeping your arms straight up from your shoulders.
5. Engage your core and press your back against the bench.
6. Lower your arms and legs together towards the floor in a controlled motion.
7. Pause briefly at the bottom, then pull the arms and legs back up to the starting position.

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

1. Lie flat on a bench, keeping your shoulder blades on it.
2. Hold the EZ-Bar above your chest with arms straight.
3. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, keeping your triceps tight.
4. Lower the EZ-Bar behind your head with control.
5. Pull the EZ-Bar back over your chest using your back muscles.
6. Extend your arms to return to the starting position.

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

1. Lie on a flat bench with your shoulder blades touching it.
2. Grab the EZ-Bar with both hands above your chest, arms straight.
3. Bend your elbows to form a 90-degree angle, keeping your triceps tight.
4. Slowly lift the EZ-Bar over your head while keeping your arms steady.
5. Engage your back and triceps to bring the EZ-Bar back over your chest.

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

1. Lie on your back on a bench with feet under your knees.
2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand beside your hips, palms facing up.
3. Raise the dumbbells in a circular motion above your head while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
4. Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position and repeat.

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

1. Stand facing an elevated platform with your hands shoulder-width apart on it.
2. Keep your body straight from head to heels by engaging your core.
3. With your feet shoulder-width apart and toes tucked under, bend your elbows to lower your chest toward the platform.
4. Push back up until your arms are straight again.

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

1. Lie on your back on the bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the floor.
2. Keep your head, shoulders, and butt on the bench.
3. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand above your chest.
4. With your core tight, extend your left arm straight up at a 45-degree angle from your body.
5. Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position while exhaling.
6. Switch to your right arm and repeat.