A bench press is a movement that can put you at risk of injury if you fail it, so Ashby recommends always having a spotter when attempting a heavy bench press. She also suggests avoiding putting clamps on the bar so you can drop the plates to one side if necessary.

It can be dangerous to drop the bar onto your chest, so if you’re concerned about this happening, practise chest pressing with dumbbells until you feel confident. “If the bar does end up on your chest, roll the bar to your waist and try to sit up so you can safely move it to the floor,” Ashby recommends. Do not try to re-rack the weight over your head.

How to safely fail a rep when lifting weights, according to a personal trainer