flat benches

[Queefer]

I too haven't flat benched in years(about 6). The pain is out there and I get a better pump from incline anyway. I've seen a lot of fellas who flat bench and have nothing but lower pecs. The incline smith machine and the incline hammer machine have become my favorites due to lack of shoulder pain they prevent.

 

[trunksy]

spotting

LATS & XcelBeyond: What do you think of Smiths? Better to go with Hammer-Strength? I go early in the morning when there's not alot of people (unless you count all the housewives that are there who drop off their kids at the daycare in the gym and go workout).

 

[LATS]

i might catch some grief here but, i do not like the smith machine.. it does not travel in the bodys proper arc.. especially for flat benches.. for inclines it is a little better.. but, again.. it does not travel in the proper arc for most exercises..which, in turn, can also cause injuries.. charles pouliquin once stated that he thought it was the worst invention in exercise.. i do not know if i would go that far but, ... like i said.. for inclines ... maybe.. but, for most exercises we just do not travel in that pattern of movement... hammer strength, as long as you set the seat to the proper adjustment for that exercise, is much better in my opinion..

 

[xcelbeyond]

I workout alone, at my home gym. I bench in a heavy cage with adjustable safety bars that can be set to not interfere with lifts.

In all the years I've benched alone, I've only had to set it down once. When I do get to heavier weights (at least for me - over 325) I go to a gym and use a spotter. But - I've had many occaision in a gym where I've been very fortunate to NOT have any trouble as the spotter probably wouldn't be able to do squat.

xcel

 

[Queefer]

"In all the years I've benched alone, I've only had to set it down once. "
That means you are not going to failure you lazy bastard. You should have to "set it down" on every set, including warmups. Now go do some bench presses right now!