The Top 25 Chest Exercises Ranked S to F Tier
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “The Top 25 Chest Exercises Ranked S to F Tier” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of 'How To Become A Personal Trainer,' hosts Michael and Jordan dive into a detailed ranking of the top 25 chest exercises, evaluating each based on effectiveness for chest development, mechanics, and practicality. The conversation begins with a lighthearted discussion about social media consistency and personal habits, including a fun bodybuilder identification game that highlights their deep knowledge of the sport. They then transition into the main topic, with Michael advocating for a powerlifting-influenced approach and Jordan emphasizing aesthetics and individual variation. Key highlights include the flat barbell bench press and flat dumbbell bench press earning S-tier rankings due to their versatility and overload potential, while the incline dumbbell press is praised as a personal favorite. The hosts debate the value of isolation movements like dumbbell flies and cable crossovers, with mixed opinions on their tension profile and stability. Exercises like dips, pushups, and the guillotine press receive lower tiers due to technique challenges, injury risk, or limited chest activation. The episode concludes with a strong emphasis on consistency, audience engagement, and the importance of aligning training with individual goals and anatomy.
Flat and incline dumbbell bench presses are S-tier exercises for chest development due to adjustable range of motion, individual control, and reduced asymmetry risk.
The flat barbell bench press earns an A-tier rating when performed with proper form, emphasizing lat activation and a moderate arch to maximize chest engagement.
Dumbbell flies and cable crossovers are effective for stretch and isolation but lose tension at the top, making them A-tier for accessory work, not primary lifts.
Pushups are an S-tier overall exercise and A-tier for chest development when properly progressed with weight, tempo, or deficit training.
Guillotine press and floor press are rated D and C-minus respectively due to high injury risk and lack of chest stretch, despite niche utility for athletes.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Podcast Setup & Social Media Motivation
The hosts begin with a humorous discussion about their social media consistency, using metaphors of oil leaks and a 'mob boss' mentality to frame their productivity challenges. They strategize to improve daily posting by prioritizing Instagram and YouTube Shorts, removing distractions like chess, and leveraging audience accountability.
Bodybuilder Identification Game & Natural Physique Discussion
“If you want to think like, all right, if you have the best genetics and you dedicate your life to it, what can you look like? You have to look at pre-steroids because we don't know for sure now.”
Top 25 Chest Exercises: Flat & Incline Bench Presses
“I'm going to give this A tier if it's done properly. For me personally, when I do it, it's more of a B tier for me. But I think overall, especially if you teach it properly... I think it's an A tier.”
Chest Isolation & Accessory Movements: Flies, Cables, and Pec Deck
“You're using your passive joint structures to just hold the weight up. If that. Yeah. You could be holding two cups of tea with your little pinky sticking out and you're not even doing anything at the top of each rep.”
Pushups, Dips, and High-Risk Variations: Guilloine Press & Floor Press
“If you don't have a spotter, like if you're going to, yeah, like this is really stupid. Even if you do have a spotter, they got to be unbelievably competent to imagine you rip a peck and the bar goes straight on your trachea.”
“If you don't have a spotter, like if you're going to, yeah, like this is really stupid. Even if you do have a spotter, they got to be unbelievably competent to imagine you rip a peck and the bar goes straight on your trachea.”
“If you want to think like, all right, if you have the best genetics and you dedicate your life to it, what can you look like? You have to look at pre-steroids because we don't know for sure now.”
“You're using your passive joint structures to just hold the weight up. If that. Yeah. You could be holding two cups of tea with your little pinky sticking out and you're not even doing anything at the top of each rep.”
Hosts
Michael
person
Jordan
person
Personal Trainer Podcast
media
Barbell Bench Press
other
Dumbbell Bench Press
other
Cable Machine
other
other
YouTube
other
Smith Machine
other
Pec Deck
other
The Top 30 Healthiest Foods Ranked S to F Tier
How To Become A Personal Trainer • 1h 7m • 3/31/2026
The Top 10 Ways To Get New Online Personal Training Clients (Part 1)
How To Become A Personal Trainer • 51m • 4/14/2026
The Top 10 Ways To Get New Online Personal Training Clients (Part 2)
How To Become A Personal Trainer • 38m • 4/21/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “The Top 25 Chest Exercises Ranked S to F Tier” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime