Chest · Machine
Machine Chest Press
How to do the machine chest press, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Machine
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Horizontal Press
- Mechanic
- Compound
See it in motion
How to do it
Adjust the seat so handles are at chest height. Press the handles forward, squeezing your chest at the top, then return to start.
- 1Feel your chest and triceps working as you press the handles forward
- 2Keep your shoulder blades retracted and back against the pad
- 3Squeeze your chest at the end of the press
Common mistakes
- Avoid locking your elbows; keep a slight bend
- Don't let your shoulders roll forward; maintain good posture
- Avoid using excessive momentum; press and return under control
Muscles worked
The machine chest press mainly works the mid chest, with the triceps, upper chest, lower chest, and front delts assisting.
- Mid ChestPrimary
- TricepsSupport
- Upper ChestSupport
- Lower ChestSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Upper AbsMinor
Kovo programs the machine chest press for you and tracks it every session.
The AI builds your whole program, drops the right lifts into each workout, and adjusts your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More chest exercises
- How to do the barbell bench press
- How to do the leverage machine bench press
- How to do the cable chest flyes
- How to do the chest dip
- How to do the close-grip bench press
- How to do the decline bench press
Last reviewed April 2026.