The bench press is the fuller range of motion lift that allows for the chest triceps and anterior shoulders to press the barbell where as the floor press limits the amount of chest involvement.
Floor bench press with barbell.
The floor bench press is exactly what you think it is the bench press while on the floor basically the reverse motion of a push up but it is so much more than that.
While most bodybuilders and strength athletes today will use the bench press for the majority of chest training the floor press used to be the gold standard.
The primary difference is.
People learned to bench a barbell off the floor before benches were even invented.
The floor press actually predates the bench press.
It s a tension generating core attacking strength builder of the first order.
The exercises are obviously similar.
The dumbbell floor press is more than just the bench press s primitive cousin.
A floor press does require a stable surface for the barbell.
The floor press is the original horizontal barbell press even predating the bench press.
The floor press targets the same muscles but the triceps are activated to a greater extent especially if you perform the close grip variety.
Mimicking the movement pattern of a bench press the floor press takes the bench out of the equation.
At one time lifters attacked the lift with gusto putting up some impressive numbers including george hackenschmidt s 361 pound strict floor press back in 1899.
The floor press is a fantastic pressing variation for lifters of all levels to improve muscle mass lockout strength and bench press technique.