This specialized weight training apparatus features a bench angled downwards, typically between 15 and 30 degrees below horizontal. The user lies supine on the bench and presses a weighted barbell upwards. This design targets the lower pectoral muscles more effectively than a flat or incline bench press.
Developing the lower pectorals contributes to a fuller, more defined chest musculature. This equipment offers a controlled environment for building strength and size in this specific area, reducing the risk of injury compared to free weight alternatives. Its development followed the increasing sophistication of strength training equipment in the latter half of the 20th century, as athletes and bodybuilders sought more targeted muscle development techniques.