IRN-NML
08-15-10, 3:02 pm
You need to come clean on what your desires are...do you want to have a well developed inclined bench press? Or do you want to have a well developed chest?
Size begets strength and strength begets size...but only under the correct conditions and when the athlete in question hase clearly defined athletic goals.
the things you must concern yuorself with are:
1. Grip placement
2. Bar placement
3. pressing posture and exercise alignment
I will ge tthat essay out soon; it will provide the clarification you require.
Good luck.
MACHINE
Borrowed this from another post & looking fwd to the essay asap unless I've missed seeing it somewhere.
The question about whether you want a well developed incline or well developed chest and the 1. point- grip placement has caught my interest.
I'm reading that as a grip that allows for pushing the most weight the easiest or a grip that hits the pecs more directly; and is tougher. I've found a big difference in a fist length; having the thumbs on the outer rings (easier) vs the pinkies on the outer rings (tougher).
Keeping in mind Machine's 'size begets strength and strength begets size' line, for the so so bencher of any type (myself) is it better in the long run to choose the grip that will be toughest directly on the pecs first; even if it means lowering your numbers further? It's sounding like 'work your pecs so your pecs can work the strength'.
My chest development is pretty good; credit dips and pushups more than anything, but it's interesting that grip placement (for some of us) can be more critical than realized. FWIW, the same grip placement mechanics could be applied to the seated/standing press as well.
Anyone make good improvements or break plateaus simply by changing their grips?
Thx to Machine for the tips quoted and those in another thread on incline benching.
Size begets strength and strength begets size...but only under the correct conditions and when the athlete in question hase clearly defined athletic goals.
the things you must concern yuorself with are:
1. Grip placement
2. Bar placement
3. pressing posture and exercise alignment
I will ge tthat essay out soon; it will provide the clarification you require.
Good luck.
MACHINE
Borrowed this from another post & looking fwd to the essay asap unless I've missed seeing it somewhere.
The question about whether you want a well developed incline or well developed chest and the 1. point- grip placement has caught my interest.
I'm reading that as a grip that allows for pushing the most weight the easiest or a grip that hits the pecs more directly; and is tougher. I've found a big difference in a fist length; having the thumbs on the outer rings (easier) vs the pinkies on the outer rings (tougher).
Keeping in mind Machine's 'size begets strength and strength begets size' line, for the so so bencher of any type (myself) is it better in the long run to choose the grip that will be toughest directly on the pecs first; even if it means lowering your numbers further? It's sounding like 'work your pecs so your pecs can work the strength'.
My chest development is pretty good; credit dips and pushups more than anything, but it's interesting that grip placement (for some of us) can be more critical than realized. FWIW, the same grip placement mechanics could be applied to the seated/standing press as well.
Anyone make good improvements or break plateaus simply by changing their grips?
Thx to Machine for the tips quoted and those in another thread on incline benching.