# How important is the bench press?

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/how-important-is-the-bench-press/13180>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [January 29, 2023, 7:56am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/how-important-is-the-bench-press/13180 "2023-01-29T07:56:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fresharic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@fresharic](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/fresharic)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 7:56am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/how-important-is-the-bench-press/13180/1 "2023-01-29T07:56:06Z")

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How important is it to have a bench press as part of programming? Currently I do these twice a week: loaded Bulgarian split squat, sumo/conventional deadlift, loaded and bodyweight pullups, overhead press and a dumbbell or bar bench press or cable press. I also do prone Ys, external rotations, trap shrugs as a warm up and for the shoulders.

I think bench press has been tweaking my shoulder - it never feels quite right and I haven’t been able to load it very much. Is there any harm in skipping the bench press and maybe doing dips instead?

Thanks for any thoughts or opinions on this!

-Fred

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/how-important-is-the-bench-press/13180/2 "2023-01-29T14:27:54Z")

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If your training goals are simply to stay active, general health, etc. (i.e., not specific powerlifting-related goals), then it is not important for any unique reason. If you wanted to try any substitutions, you could consider things like dumbbell bench/incline bench pressing, push-ups (or deficit/weighted push-ups), machine chest presses, etc. But you could train all of those movements you’ve listed and do just fine.

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**Author:** ![fresharic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@fresharic](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/fresharic)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/how-important-is-the-bench-press/13180/3 "2023-01-29T18:49:32Z")

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Thank you for the feedback! Dumbbell bench feels pretty good and hasn’t given me any issues and pushups are generally okay. Barbell bench and seated cable press appear to be a problem - unless I’m wrong and it’s the total load I need to lower. I don’t believe the load is high, but I definitely understand it can be tough figuring where RPE 8 is.