Svend Press — start position
Start
Svend Press — end position
End

Chest / Beginner / Compound (multi-joint)

Svend Press

A bodyweight exercise for the chest, with the forearms, front delts and triceps assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Chest
Secondary
Forearms & grip, Front delts, Triceps
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement pattern
Fly / hug
Level
Beginner
Type
Chest, Compound (multi-joint)

How to do it

  1. Begin in a standing position.
  2. Press two lightweight plates together with your hands. Hold the plates together close to your chest to create an isometric contraction in your chest muscles. Your fingers should be pointed forward. This is your starting position.
  3. Squeeze the plates between your palms and extend your arms directly out in front of you in a controlled motion.
  4. Pause at the top of the motion, and then slowly return to the starting position.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts — secondary (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest — primary (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps — secondary (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Chest
  • Secondary: Forearms & grip, Front delts, Triceps

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.