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Best Chest And Tricep Workouts To Power Lift For Women

About

Power lifting prioritizes increasing maximum strength in foundational exercises: Bench Press, Back Squat, and Deadlift.

This workout emphasizes pushing movements, effectively targeting the chest (pectorals) and triceps, which synergize to enhance upper-body power.

Exercises focus on horizontal presses and shoulder adduction that primarily work the chest muscles, while including accessory movements for tricep development.

These routines are tailored to the average woman (5'5", 140 lbs, 34 years old), with adjustments in reps and weights based on individual capacity and progression.

By engaging these specific muscle groups systematically, participants can improve their overall lifting performance, promoting balanced physical development.

The 15 Best Chest and Tricep Exercises to Power Lift for Women

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Barbell Bench Press

    Barbell Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    7,520,931
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    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.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 2. Barbell Incline Bench Press

    Barbell Incline Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    3,397,831
    Chest Strength
    96 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench

    The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a variation of the standard bench press that targets your chest while focusing more on the shoulders and upper chest. It's great for building strength in these areas.

    How to do it

    1. Lie back on an incline bench (45-60 degrees), keeping your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the floor.
    2. Grip the barbell just outside shoulder-width and lift it above your shoulders with your arms extended.
    3. Brace your core, lower the barbell to your upper chest by flexing your elbows at a 45-degree angle, then gently touch your chest.
    4. Exhale and push the barbell back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Bench Press

    Dumbbell Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

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

    Dumbbell Fly demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    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.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 5. Push Up

    Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    5,895,818
    Chest Strength
    95 mScore
    Chest

    Push ups are a simple and effective exercise for strengthening your upper body using just your body weight. They are easy to do anywhere and are great for beginners and advanced exercisers alike.

    How to do it

    1. Start with your hands on the floor, slightly wider than your shoulders.
    2. Keep your body straight, with your core engaged and hips extended.
    3. Bend your elbows, lowering your chest towards the floor at a 45-degree angle with your arms.
    4. Push back up to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 6. Tricep Push Up

    Tricep Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,257,713
    Chest Strength
    69 mScore
    Chest

    The Tricep Push Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your chest, triceps, and shoulders. By keeping your elbows close to your sides, you emphasize the tricep muscles more than regular push ups.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down with your legs straight and hands below your chest, elbows tucked in.
    2. Push up by straightening your arms, keeping your body in a straight line from head to heels.
    3. Lower your chest back down by bending your elbows.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 7. Close-Grip Bench Press

    Close-Grip Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    3,536,639
    Triceps Strength
    92 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Close-Grip Bench Press targets the triceps more than the standard bench press by keeping your hands closer together. This exercise is ideal for adding triceps strength to your chest workout.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on a bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the ground.
    2. Grab the barbell with hands slightly closer than shoulder-width apart, and lift it over your chest.
    3. Lower the barbell toward your chest by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
    4. Touch the barbell lightly on your chest, then push it back up to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 8. Dip

    Dip demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,690,853
    Triceps Strength
    92 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dip (Parallel) Bar
    Dip (Parallel) Bar

    Dips are a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the triceps. You lift and lower your body using your arms while keeping your core engaged.

    How to do it

    1. Hold onto the dip bars with straight arms and slightly bent elbows.
    2. Suspended above the ground, brace your core and keep your back straight.
    3. Lean your body forward slightly and pull your elbows down to lower yourself.
    4. Keep your elbows close to your sides until they reach a 90-degree angle.
    5. Push back up to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 9. Dumbbell Skullcrusher

    Dumbbell Skullcrusher demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    5,879,914
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on your back on a bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the floor.
    2. Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and hips.
    3. Hold dumbbells above your shoulders with palms facing each other and elbows slightly bent.
    4. Engage your core and lower the dumbbells behind your head by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stable.
    5. When the dumbbells are just above your forehead, exhale and lift them back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 10. Skullcrusher

    Skullcrusher demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,594,390
    Triceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    Skullcrushers are a triceps exercise performed while lying on a bench. This movement focuses on isolating the triceps and can be done with an EZ-Bar for better grip and stability.

    How to do it

    1. Lie back on a bench, keeping your shoulder blades squeezed and your heels flat on the ground.
    2. Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and buttocks at all times.
    3. Hold the EZ-Bar above your shoulders with hands shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keep your upper arms still and bend your elbows to lower the bar just above your forehead.
    5. Exhale as you extend your arms to lift the bar back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 11. Decline Push Up

    Decline Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,792,175
    Chest Strength
    60 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    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.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 12. Dumbbell Incline Bench Press

    Dumbbell Incline Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    4,356,994
    Chest Strength
    96 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench

    The Dumbbell Incline Bench Press is a great exercise to strengthen your chest and shoulders. By using dumbbells, you improve stability and balance, helping to build strength in both sides of your body.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on a bench with your back supported and your shoulder blades squeezed together.
    2. Keep your feet flat on the ground and adjust the bench to a 45-60 degree angle.
    3. Hold the dumbbells just outside shoulder-width at shoulder height.
    4. Brace your core and extend your arms straight up at a 45-degree angle from your body.
    5. Exhale as you lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 13. Floor Press

    Floor Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    448,603
    Chest Strength
    68 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Floor Press is an upper-body exercise that targets your chest, triceps, and shoulders. You lie on the floor and press a barbell up, which helps build strength while protecting your shoulders.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on your back on the floor with your shoulder blades squeezed together and your knees bent, feet flat on the ground.
    2. Ensure your head, shoulders, and butt are touching the floor, and the barbell is at arm height on a rack.
    3. Unrack the barbell and place it above your shoulders.
    4. Brace your core by breathing deeply and tightening your abdomen.
    5. Bend your elbows at a 45-degree angle and lower the barbell to touch your elbows gently to the floor.
    6. Exhale and press the barbell back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 14. Hand Release Push Up

    Hand Release Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    806,763
    Chest Strength
    94 mScore
    Chest

    The Hand Release Push Up is a modified version of the standard push up that helps improve your strength by ensuring full range of motion. By lifting your hands off the ground at the bottom of the movement, you engage your muscles more effectively during the exercise.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on the floor face down.
    2. Position your hands in line with your chest, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Keep your legs straight and your toes pointed down.
    4. Engage your core to maintain a straight line from head to heels.
    5. Bend your elbows and lower your chest to the floor.
    6. Lift your hands off the ground for a moment, then place them back down.
    7. Push your body back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 15. Seated Tricep Press

    Seated Tricep Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    4,537,026
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Seated Tricep Press is an exercise that strengthens your triceps by using a dumbbell. It helps improve your range of motion by pressing the weight overhead, adding variety to your workouts.

    How to do it

    1. Sit upright on a bench with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold a dumbbell vertically at chest height with palms facing up.
    3. Brace your core and press the dumbbell overhead, keeping elbows forward.
    4. Lower the dumbbell behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps.
    5. Lift the dumbbell back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Chest and Tricep Workouts to Power Lift

Alternative Chest and Tricep Workouts for Women

Alternative Workouts to Power Lift for Women