Quick foot placement question

[big bear]

Ive noticed in some pictures, and videos of bodybuilders putting their feet up on the bench when doing say, chest flyes or even a press. not on inlcine or decline but just on the flat bench. Do they do this to put more work on the abs? Make it harder?

[scals17]

You get more power with your feet on the floor. When your feet are on the bench your using solely your upper body.

[NickSP]

I'm not a big fan of benching with your feet up honestly, IMHO it just poses more threat of losing balance or something. If you're worried about isolating the chest or whatever, just practice and learn to bench keeping your feet planted without using them to arch

[bigla2004]

I agree completely.. i think feet on the bench are a huge hazard

[RoJoHen]

I do this sometimes, and I actually find it makes my lifts easier.

I think a lot of it has to do with the height of the bench. If it's too high, having my feet on the ground is uncomfortable, so I'll rest them on the bench instead.

[MightyMouse666]

I do it, but only on certain exercises, like flat DB flyes and skullcrushers. For me it's just feelse better since it keeps my lower back flat on the bench. It seems to help with those 2 exercises, bit I wouldnt do it (personally) for heavier exercises like flat bench, for balance/power reasons.

[Adrenaline Junkie]

Ive noticed in some pictures, and videos of bodybuilders putting their feet up on the bench when doing say, chest flyes or even a press. not on inlcine or decline but just on the flat bench. Do they do this to put more work on the abs? Make it harder?

Putting your feet on the bench is horrible form...

[Lowdown5]

Arnold always did flyes with his legs up and feet crossed. But then again, he is Arnold.

[Hoffdogg]

Sometimes I do Skulls with my feet on the bench.

[big bear]

yea thats where i first saw it, arnold with his feet up and crossed doing flyes

[Joseb]

i dont ever arch my back. i mean, it just shortens the ROM. if you wanna get big you need to go the hard way. I dont like the idea of putting the feet up on the bench.
listen to machine.. every exercise is an isolation exercise.

[BrotherInArms]

Feet on the floor; under your hips.

[ROC1291]

It's a matter of preference, but I would never suggest doing it on the flat bench or incline barbell benches.
I've found I lose some power when I put my feet up on incline movements, it forces me to keep my back down and isolates the upper half of my body.
Believe it or not, for me it's a matter of using 75lb DB's on Incline or using 65's.

If I have my feet up and need to pop out two more reps, I'll put em down on the ground to cheat.

All in all, I don't flat bench anyway. I'm a baseball player.

[TenYardFight HxC]

I had a an o-line coach in high school who would bench 225lbs for reps with his legs up in the air. He was an older and bigger guy, impressive yet funny to watch.