bench press: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Sports/Everyday (Fitness Context)
Quick answer
What does “bench press” mean?
A weight-training exercise performed lying on a bench, in which a barbell is pushed upwards from the chest until the arms are straight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A weight-training exercise performed lying on a bench, in which a barbell is pushed upwards from the chest until the arms are straight.
The specific piece of weight-training equipment (the bench and rack) used for this exercise; the act or instance of performing the exercise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Spotter' is equally common in both varieties. Minor differences may exist in typical weight units discussed (kg slightly more common in UK, lbs in US).
Connotations
Identical sporting/fitness connotations. Highly standardised term in global gym culture.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties within fitness contexts. Slightly more likely to be used by the general public in the US due to higher cultural prominence of weightlifting.
Grammar
How to Use “bench press” in a Sentence
[Subject] + bench press(es) + [Weight] (e.g., He bench presses 120kg).[Subject] + do/perform/complete + [Number] + bench press(es) (e.g., She did three sets of bench presses).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bench press” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He aims to bench press his body weight by the end of the month.
- Make sure you warm up before you bench.
American English
- She can bench press more than most guys in the gym.
- I'm going to bench 225 for reps today.
adjective
British English
- He set a new bench-press record for his weight class.
- The bench-press station was occupied.
American English
- She's working on her bench-press form.
- The bench-press competition starts at noon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in business related to fitness equipment or gym franchises.
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, or physiology papers discussing strength training.
Everyday
Common in conversations about gym workouts, fitness goals, and personal health.
Technical
Precise term in strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and competitive powerlifting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bench press”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bench press”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bench press”
- Using 'bench press' as a countable noun for the equipment but not the exercise (e.g., 'I bought a new bench press' is fine; 'I did ten bench presses' is also correct).
- Misspelling as one word ('benchpress').
- Confusing it with 'chest press' machine, which is fixed and not on a bench.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard to write it as two separate words: 'bench press'. The hyphenated form 'bench-press' is sometimes used as a compound modifier.
Yes, commonly in gym slang. You can say 'I bench pressed 100kg' or even shorten it to 'I benched 100kg'.
A bench press uses a free-weight barbell or dumbbells on a flat, incline, or decline bench, requiring stabilization. A chest press machine is a fixed-path apparatus, which is generally easier and safer for beginners.
Primarily the pectoralis major (chest), anterior deltoids (front shoulders), and triceps brachii (back of upper arm).
A weight-training exercise performed lying on a bench, in which a barbell is pushed upwards from the chest until the arms are straight.
Bench press is usually technical/sports/everyday (fitness context) in register.
Bench press: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbentʃ ˌpres/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbentʃ ˌpres/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'bench' you 'press' a heavy weight from. The name literally describes the action: you press weight while lying on a bench.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS A MEASURABLE QUANTITY (e.g., 'What's your bench press?'). PROGRESS IS UPWARD MOVEMENT (increasing the weight).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common variation of the bench press?