Push ups or bench press - which is more effective, efficient?

cantdrv55 · 10-30-2019, 07:27 PM

Which exercise is more effective for toning the chest? Bulking up the chest? Addressing upper torso, not just the chest? I’m thinking push ups for all three yet the bench press seems to be the benchmark chest exercise. Am I wrong?

sc_rufctr · 10-30-2019, 07:33 PM

Bench press because you can do way more reps with varying weight.

Feel the burn!

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Bulk, bench press. Overall tone and strength, push ups with alternating positions.

MMiller · 10-30-2019, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Bulk, bench press. Overall tone and strength, push ups with alternating positions.

This has been my experience as well..

wildthing · 10-30-2019, 08:07 PM

Bench press... so many variations.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Pushup, using gymnastic rings hung down to the floor.

Your muscles have to stabilize, not just push. You can vary positions, hands closer or farther apart. You're doing planks at the same time.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Bulk, bench press. Overall tone and strength, push ups with alternating positions.

Yes, incline and decline pushups are my go to. I don't want to get big and swole, clothes don't fit right. When I commuted by bicycle in San Francisco I had epic legs, thighs were as big as my waist. Only long pants I could wear were those stupid MC Hammer looking ones

You don't always have a barbell and bench, I always have what I need to do push ups. Push two chairs together and do dips between them, that is a good one too.

wilnj · 10-31-2019, 01:48 AM

If you have a bench and dumbbells, lay back but hanging off the side of the bench and do dumbbell presses.

Hanging off the side will engage your core and dumbbell presses require more muscle groups to stabilize the weight.

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sc_rufctr · 10-31-2019, 03:26 AM

What works... Diet and exercise.

Jims5543 · 10-31-2019, 03:55 AM

Bench press is going to isolate a small group of muscles, Pecks, triceps will get the bulk of the workout, other upper body parts will benefit as well, shoulders, traps, and back muscles.

Push up will incorporate many more muscles as well as strengthen your core muscles.

If I had to pick just one to do I would pick push up, if you can vary between the two then even better.

My workout incorporates both.

flatbutt · 10-31-2019, 04:24 AM

A long long LONG time ago when I could do 60 push ups in a row my fitness level was much higher than when I only weight trained. It seemed like the fitness I obtained with calisthenics lasted longer than with weights, but that might only be my perception.

Geronimo '74 · 10-31-2019, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Bulk, bench press. Overall tone and strength, push ups with alternating positions.

yup.

a lot more muscle involved during push up, better allround.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Neither of the above since bench is using arm and chest. Butterflies will strengthen pecs. Another good one is dips. Don't get me wrong, you can tone build with bench but it's best to use incline, decline and flat bench to do it as you'll work different muscles with each different position.

After reading your OP again and your desire to improve upper body strength, bench in the flat, incline and decline.

bleucamaro · 10-31-2019, 06:49 AM

Whats better? The one you'll actually do.

I like push-ups because I can just drop and gimme 20, any time of day. Don't have to put any thought into it.

If I'm doing a workout, there's plenty of variations and being plank based is good for core too.
I really like the "Spiderman" push-ups.

For me to do bench press, I need to drive to a gym or buy and store equipment.