Bench Press Range of Motion??? Opinions/advice

[TooPowerful4u]

Im undecided latly on which range of motion to use for barbell bench movements. Some people like a full range of motion all the way to almost lockout, and some like the 3/4 range of motion stopping a few inches from lockout. Which one do you feel is best for maximal chest development? All the old timers like Lou Ferrigno, Arnold, and Franco Columbo in pumping iron all used the 3/4 motion and had great chests.

 

[xcelbeyond]

Did you read this - it has some really good info related to this: http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=7550

xcel

 

[IRON37]

thanks for the link xcel, I was curious about the same thing

 

[TooPowerful4u]

ya xcel, always on top of shit. thanx

 

[MR.BICEPS]

Interesting!

 

[Vander_V]

ok

i make sure not to touch my chest and also make sure not to lock out , so i guess for me its keeping it in that middle range.

 

[Dave_19]

i think both work great, a lot of things work... i hate when people say something is just the "wrong" way... i think the main dis advantage of doing partial 3/4 range reps would be your lock out strength that last 1/4 to the rack, I dont think that range isolates on chest much for development, althought if you do rack lifts from that top range only with heavy weight it really works chest good were it ties in with delts, good for your front double bicep pose

 

[xcelbeyond]

if you do rack lifts from that top range only with heavy weight it really works chest good were it ties in with delts, good for your front double bicep pose

I think you stated my point in this comment

Doing just the lockout has your shoulders extended out (asking for more load/injury potential) on shoulders. This does work the delt/shoulders more as you said. My point is - why not "directly" work your "shoulders" rather than compromise them with this type of exercise.

Now if you're into powerlifting, you must get proficient at FULL RANGE and doing what you're describing (West Side techniques) will help for this. This where I believe we (bodybuilders) differ from powerlifters, we do what it takes to get maximum LBM and they do it to get maximum strength as it relates to a "legal" lift.

xcel