How far down should you go: Bench Pressing

M

motorcitymadnes

0
I'm the same guy whose friend told him that doing behind the head shoulder presses could lead to surgery down the road, well I have another question for you guys, when I'm bench pressing should I bring the bar all the way down to my chest or should I stop just before I hit the chest and raise the bar back up....the same friend told me that bringing the bar all the way down to your chest on the bench press isn't good for you in the long term......Was he right again?
 
Bring it down as far as possible but make it so it just doesn't touch your chest (like 2cm from your chest), this way instead of inadvertantly resting it there you keep the tension on your chest for the whole set.
 
Bench press is a risky excercise. That's why you should make sure to do external rotation work, back work (rows/deads) and not bench endlessly. I seen some guys perfom flat, incline and decline all in one session using 12 to 15 sets. Also, use DB's instead of the barbell regularly they are less risky.

Nothing wrong with trying to take care of your body but don't take that has an excuse not to train hard. Nobody ever gotten very far in life if they always played things TOO safe.

You risk your life everytime you step in a car, one of the biggest causes of accident-related deaths in the NA.

That's my little bit of wisedom for the day :D
 
It depends on how long your arms are. If you're avg. height and below (typically indicative of arm length), then a 'touch-and-go' method is fine. If you have longer than avg arms, then stop before you end up in a un-natural range of motion...or rather exceed your range of motion.
 
If your going slow and controled then go down to the chest or a few inches away.

If you going fast i'd stay a bit higher.

There is no need to actually touch the chest, it doesnt give you any advantage or gain.
 
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