ROM+Bench Press question. . .

[goergen1]

In the traditional sense of lay on a flat bench and bench press. Yes. Any exercise done too often will lead to overuse injuries. Many people do not know that you can overtrain a movement. Just changing the exercise will help prevent injuries.

This is one of many reasons that there are so many exercises for each movement and muscle group.

Training regular bench press more than one X per week is unnecessary at best. Learn what the weak points in your lift is and chose other exercises based upon what that is.

Could be shoulders, triceps, lockout power, strength off of the bottom, or back strength. It may be that a towel press is right for you, or a floor press. Any number of assistance exercises will help get more results and prevent injury than just doing the same one 3 X per week.

 

[ghs09]

exactly right stickin to one exercise for a period of time is going to get you no where fast. variation is the key to better results.

 

[betsie2k]

I understand goergen1

I do different types of bench press.

Apparently it is good to vary because if not then your body will get adapted to the same movements. I read in an article somewhere that part of the human body is made for adaption, and having different movements means it is a lot more difficult for the body to 'adapt' to the movements so you get a good reaction from working out. (sorry my wording is totally crap)

 

[samchng]

Good you know that Variation is a good guideline to follow. Check out the Internet for different muscles to target different muscle groups. Keep things interesting too!

 

[ShaftedTwice]

If you are lowering the bar to your nipples you are lowering it too high on your chest.

Touching your chest when the bar is too high up will cause shoulder problems.

If you lower the bar to the base of your sternum, keeping your elbows in, there will be no problem touching, and less stress on the shoulder due to less rotation at the joint.

This is the "proper" form for saving shoulders.

Also, a few of those articles talk about floor, towel, and other types of bench press. Doing these exercises are a good idea.

Shoulder problems will occur if bench press is done too often as well. Regardless of how good technique is. That is a big reason for the 100's of variations that are out there.

Once a week bench press is enough. Any exercise done too often will cause problems.

+Rep, Excellent advice, I was just going to mention the sternum and keeping your elbows in.