touching the bar to your chest on bb bench

[rippedout]

i hardly ever see anyone doing this. i always do (no bounce). if i dont take it down to my chest, i dont feel like ive completed a rep.

do you take it all the way down to your chest and why?

do you go half or 3/4 and why?

 

[Malic777.com]

if my joints are shot i will go 3/4 down to avoid any excess pressure on them...if the load is lighter i will go full down with no bounce...benches are murder on the shoulders you should do dumbell presses instead...Alex

 

[Stump]

benches are murder on the shoulders you should do dumbell presses instead...Alex

Exactly...thats what my Dr. told me after having surgery on both shoulders, I stick mainly to DB presses but every blue moon I will throw in the bench and yes I do touch my chest without bouncing.

 

[number twelve]

always gotta go the full range of motion, just gotta be smart about not messing yourself up!

 

[maximis17]

i always touch my chest with the bar when bench pressing. i always see guys doing half and 3/4 reps not sure why.

 

[reppedout1]

I go about 3 inches from my chest.Your chest is at full expansion at that point.Any further than that puts unneeded stress on the shoulders....repped

 

[gogotren]

I usually do dumbells but on bar I bring it down just past where my bi`s are even with my body. Just watch other people bring it all the way down, it looks like (and is) a lot of strain on the shoulders.

 

[h8tr3d]

I go about 3 inches from my chest.Your chest is at full expansion at that point.Any further than that puts unneeded stress on the shoulders....repped

i agree. thats how it works for my body anyway

 

[Parthenon]

I go about 3 inches from my chest.Your chest is at full expansion at that point.Any further than that puts unneeded stress on the shoulders....repped

Bump that. I much prefer to keep the tension going without overextending.
I've got past sports-related shoulder injuries and I can really tell why it makes a difference.

 

[ythrashn]

Full range of motion is elbows paralel with chest.
Anything more and you hyper extend your shoulders!

If you have a huge barrel chest touching your chest is all good....

If you are someone with a somewhat narrow chest and/or long arms do not touch your chest unless you want to fuck up your shoulders!

This guy explains it all...
He is kinda a dork, but knows his shit!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkuPpbDgVzQ&feature=PlayList&p=4895846CC1452239&index=8

 

[donjoy]

I think that using a partial range of motion is more beneficial, especially in regards to the bench press. Obviously if you are a powerlifter and this is necessary to complete a lift then you are in a different situation.

However for a bodybuilder, you want to be working the chest when you bench press. If you let the bar drop all the way to touch your chest then you are just hurting your shoulders and not working the chest muscles.

Furthermore, I wouldn't even recommend locking out your elbows as this can be bad for your joints. Others may view this as "cheating" because you don't go all the way down, but if you have a bigger chest and less joint pain.... well I think that speaks for itself.