When trained men do different types of chest presses—using a machine, barbell, or dumbbells—their chest muscles and shoulder strength bounce back at about the same rate after a tough workout, no matter how stable the equipment is.

Scientific Claim

In resistance-trained men, three chest press variations—Smith machine, barbell, and dumbbell—produce similar recovery patterns in pectoralis major muscle thickness and shoulder horizontal adductor peak torque over 96 hours after a high-volume resistance protocol, indicating that stability demands do not significantly alter hypertrophic or strength recovery in these muscles.

Original Statement

“There were no differences in the time course of PT or muscle thickness values of the pectoralis major (p = 0.98 and p = 0.91, respectively) or elbow extensors (p = 0.07 and p = 0.86, respectively) between groups.”

From study:Chest Press Exercises With Different Stability Requirements Result in Similar Muscle Damage Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The RCT design with random assignment, controlled protocol, and direct measurement of physiological outcomes supports definitive causal language. The p-values confirm no significant differences, justifying the claim.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Chest Press Exercises With Different Stability Requirements Result in Similar Muscle Damage Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2017 Jan

The study found that whether guys used a machine, barbell, or dumbbells for chest presses, their chest muscles recovered at the same rate in strength and size over four days — so stability doesn’t matter for recovery in this case.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Chest Press Exercises With Different Stability Requirements Result in Similar Muscle Damage Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men

Score: 47

DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001453

Similar Assertions

After a tough chest workout, your ability to push your arm across your chest comes back fully within three days, no matter if you used a machine, barbell, or dumbbells.

79%

After doing a barbell chest workout, guys felt way more tired and less recovered than after using dumbbells or a machine—even two days later—suggesting barbells leave you feeling more drained.

79%

No matter which chest press they used, the guys completed almost exactly the same number of reps in every set—showing they pushed just as hard regardless of equipment.

79%

How much total weight you lift matters more for muscle damage than whether you use a barbell or dumbbells—even if one feels harder or heavier per rep.

78%

Your chest muscles swell the same amount after a hard workout whether you use a machine, barbell, or dumbbells—so the muscle-building stress is about the same.

78%