10 Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press Alternatives for Shoulder Pain

The Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press is done lying on your back with a barbell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Chest Dip On Straight Bar, the Push And Pull Bodyweight and the Push-up.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press

Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Barbell
Difficulty
Advanced
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Triceps, Shoulders

How to perform Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
  1. Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
  2. Grasp the barbell with a wide reverse grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  3. Lift the barbell off the rack and hold it directly above your chest with your arms fully extended.
  4. Lower the barbell slowly towards your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in and your wrists straight.
  5. Pause for a moment when the barbell touches your chest, then push it back up to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
    2. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
    3. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    4. From the push-up position, pull your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
    5. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  1. 3. Push-up

    77% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
    2. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    3. Pause for a moment when your chest is just above the ground, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  2. Pushups (Close And Wide Hand Positions)
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on the floor face down and body straight with your toes on the floor and the hands wider than shoulder width for a wide hand position and closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure you are holding your torso up at arms length.
    2. Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
    3. Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
    4. After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body.
    3. Once your chest is just above the ground, quickly drop your knees to the ground.
    4. Push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
    3. As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
    4. Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
    2. Engage your core and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, forming an inverted V shape with your body.
    3. Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
    4. As you lower down, shift your weight forward and transition into a cobra pose by straightening your arms and lifting your chest up.
    5. Reverse the movement by bending your elbows and lowering your chest back down towards the ground.
    6. Push through your hands to return to the inverted V position.
    7. Continue the movement by lowering your hips back down towards the ground, returning to the starting push-up position.
    8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  3. Push-up Wide
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. With your hands wide apart, support your body on your toes and hands in a plank position. Your elbows should be extended and your body straight. Do not allow your hips to sag. This will be your starting position.
    2. To begin, allow the elbows to flex, lowering your chest to the floor as you inhale.
    3. Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Exhale as you perform this step.
    4. After pausing at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  4. Pushups

    9. Pushups

    76% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
    2. Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
    3. Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
    4. After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a plank position with your forearms on the ground and elbows directly below your shoulders.
    2. Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
    3. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

How to Choose the Right Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press Substitute

Select a substitute based on the region of the pec you want to target, available equipment, and joint tolerance. If you need upper-pec emphasis choose an incline press or low-to-high cable pattern; for limited equipment pick single-arm dumbbell or landmine presses to reduce transverse instability. Consider grip orientation (supinated vs neutral) because supination increases clavicular recruitment; test a light set and judge where you feel tension. Cue when testing: keep the scapula pinned, torso stable, and elbows 30–45° to prioritize pectoral loading over shoulder or triceps domination.

Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press FAQ

What muscles does Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press work?

It primarily targets the pectoralis major, especially the clavicular (upper) fibers, through increased shoulder flexion and horizontal adduction. Secondary muscles include the anterior deltoid and triceps; the supinated grip can also increase biceps and forearm activation. Cue: tuck elbows ~45° to maximize pec involvement.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology