panca piana
feminine
The English phrase "bench press" is translated into Italian as panca piana.
In a gym setting, Italians often use the English term "bench press" or simply panca to refer to the exercise.
Meaning: exercise (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a literal combination of panca (bench) and piana (flat/level).
Which one should you use?
While panca piana refers to the exercise or the equipment, distensioni su panca piana is the more technical/formal way to describe the movement itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun phrase is feminine, so any accompanying adjectives must also be in the feminine form.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Oggi faccio la panca piana.Today I am doing the bench press.
- La panca piana è faticosa.The bench press is tiring.
- Devi migliorare nella panca piana.You need to improve at the bench press.
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are at the gym.
- ChiaraMatteo, mi aiuti con la panca piana?Matteo, can you help me with the bench press?
- MatteoCerto, Chiara, quanti chili metti?Sure, Chiara, how many kilos are you putting on?
- ChiaraMetto quaranta chili per oggi.I'm putting forty kilos for today.
- MatteoVa bene, io ti faccio da spotter.Alright, I'll be your spotter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bench press” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries panca, piana, CC BY-SA 4.0.