Correlation Between Bench Press and Pushup Repetitions to Failure Relative to Bodyweight

Abstract

The bench press and pushup are popular exercises used to develop strength and power. They are also often associated with equal benefits in developing upper body muscular endurance. However, it is unknown how they are related as pushups use a bodyweight load while the bench press uses greater weight. PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between bench press and pushup repetitions to failure relative to a bodyweight load. METHODS: Fourteen recreationally trained males (age=24.71±2.64yrs, height=177.29±6.87, mass=83.74±9.41) performed a 1RM bench press test and an isometric pushup to determine bodyweight load supported in both the up and down positions. Grip width on the bench press was measured as the distance between middle fingers and this distance was used for hand placement during pushups. Subjects were positioned for a pushup with their hands on an AMTI force plate and their feet off the plate. Isometric force was measured for 3 seconds in the up and down positions, in random order. For the down position, triceps were parallel to the floor, while for the up position, triceps were perpendicular to the floor. Days 2 and 3 consisted of performing repetitions to failure for either the bench press or pushup exercise. For the pushup, subjects performed repetitions following an 80/s tempo. The test was terminated if they failed to complete a full repetition, could not maintain cadence or there were three faults in form. For the bench press, subjects performed repetitions to failure with a load that was equal to the average relative bodyweight force of the up and down pushup positions. RESULTS: There was a very low relationship (r=0.289) between bench press repetitions to failure (29.5±7.59) and push up repetitions to failure (33.0±6.53). Load for the bench press test, relative to their 1RM (0.51%±0.07) was significantly less than the pushup down position (0.75%±0.03), up position (0.71%±0.03), and the average of the up and down positions (0.73%±0.03) relative to their body mass. CONCLUSIONS: The bench press and pushup must be seen as two distinct and different exercises that use very different loads, which could result in dissimilar upper body muscular endurance adaptations.