National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Practice Exam

A common gym movement for strengthening the upper body is known as?

1. Deadlift

2. Chest Press

3. Leg Press

4. Calf Raise

The correct answer is: Chest Press

The chest press is a fundamental exercise focused on strengthening the upper body, particularly the pectoral muscles, shoulders, and triceps. This movement typically involves pushing a weighted barbell or dumbbells away from the chest while lying on a bench, creating a targeted stimulus for muscle growth and improvement in pressing strength. In contrast, the deadlift primarily focuses on the posterior chain, including the back, glutes, and hamstrings. The leg press targets the lower body muscles, such as quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, by pushing weight with the legs while seated. The calf raise isolates the calf muscles and is focused on the lower leg. Therefore, when considering exercises aimed specifically at enhancing upper body strength, the chest press stands out as the appropriate choice.