how far down on bench?

tigeraj2 · 09-08-2008, 01:10 AM

i just have a question because i see some guys who go down about half way on bench... what are the benefits or weaknesses of this? or is it just all around a bad idea? it seems to me that some guys do it to lift heavier weights... i think they would be better off going all the way down with lighter weight.... but dont get confused i see people who stop about an inch or 2 from their chest, that seems fine to me, but the people who go only half way just seem like slackers to me.. am i missin something?

**julio40** · 09-08-2008, 01:19 AM

no your not missing something, people that go halfway on bench are puny. they just cant go all the way down and push it back up.

**Teamorbit** · 09-08-2008, 01:55 AM

People go half way down at the gym because there using a weight that is to heavy for them. Execute a full rep, do not bounce and that is propper form.

extremophile_me · 09-08-2008, 02:18 AM

We all have seen these guys. These guys go as far as their elbows are at right angle to their body or say both the elbows are in a straight line or are parallel to the ground. There are two groups of ppl who execute bench press this way-1.as julio said punys. 2.ppl with elbow problems like so ligament tear or even weak deltoids and tricep problems. In either case that press just works out their ego and does not give them major benefit. And you said it abs correctly that they will definitely benefit from lighter or building their triceps..
The correct bench press is elbows going a little below the straight line at shoulder but if you go lower than that your pecs dont work its ur ant deltoid that takes the brunt and may coz serious deltoid or rotator cuff probs..
Hope ths helps
Back me up and let me knw wat u thnk guys.

**gringo220** · 09-08-2008, 02:32 AM

The only way you shouldn't touch your chest is if your shoulders hurt or if you're using blocks to get your sticking point stronger. Other then that don't be a pussy or try to be a showoff and touch your chest.

extremophile_me · 09-08-2008, 03:10 AM

i doubt toching the chest wil help..you are relaxing your pec muscles and then reinforcing other muscles whch we are not targetting in a bench press..so i totally disagree when you say touch your chest..as i have said elbows go a little below or even 3-4inchs from chest and push them up..in this your pecs dont relax and more work is done by your pecs..
Be smart and workout with little risk of injuries.. Be hardcore alright but dont risk injuries when you can.. For further info about correct bench press search for heavylifting bench press competitions and read their rules..they will tel u the correct form..

JDuB · 09-08-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremophile_me

i doubt toching the chest wil help..you are relaxing your pec muscles and then reinforcing other muscles whch we are not targetting in a bench press..so i totally disagree when you say touch your chest..as i have said elbows go a little below or even 3-4inchs from chest and push them up..in this your pecs dont relax and more work is done by your pecs..
Be smart and workout with little risk of injuries.. Be hardcore alright but dont risk injuries when you can.. For further info about correct bench press search for heavylifting bench press competitions and read their rules..they will tel u the correct form..

You asked for ppls oppinions and their side of things but yet shut gringo's opinion down. Having said that, You say Saying touching your chest wont count and to check out on the comp rules and see how they lift and wat not, either im completely stupid. . but you just 'shat in your own nest' so to speak cause im pretty sure in benching comps you must touch the chest to be a valid lift...
Then again if im wrong, im wrong

MiniArnold · 09-08-2008, 06:13 AM

I would say from from a powerlifting or strongman side of things the reason they do it is for the side spotters. If you are too close to the rack the spotters cant get in to help you if and when you need it. From a bbers side of things it could be due to an injury or they are trying to lift to much weight which has already been brought up by a few guys.

eaz627 · 09-08-2008, 06:59 AM

just actually "touching" the chest wont relax the pecs. If you rest the bar on your chest maybe then you are relaxing the pecs. touching the pecs requires a controlled movement therefore stressing it more. well,this is just from a subjective point of view.

F-111 · 09-08-2008, 07:16 AM

a thread like this is not needed. there are already plenty hanging around which can be found with a simple bit of searching. Its a moot point on this board. Trying to get too technical and having a go at VIPs when your post count reads 40 is not the best of ideas.

Gringo, cosign brother.

Enjoy your day

F-111

Mart001 · 09-08-2008, 08:57 AM

sometimes I add the odd heavy partial reps to help get past sticking points... they could just be doing partial reps.

**Teamorbit** · 09-08-2008, 12:31 PM

IMO partial reps going up is one thing but going down halfway is stopping at the sticking point so I dont see how it would help overcome it. Going down is the easy part.

PrOdUcToFiRoN · 09-08-2008, 12:34 PM

Or they could be doing close grip bench which isolates the triceps. In which you only bring the upper arms parallel to the floor to keep work on the triceps.