Do you touch the bar to your chest when you bench?

[lockdownd7]

Natural ROM stops above the chest. But most people will be fine touching the bar to the chest. If you're worried about it, or have previous shoulder problems, just go as far your ROM allows. It doesn't make a big difference either way. The only people who really need to touch the chest are PL'ers.

 

[dabuffguy]

I have found this is the best bench tecnique!!!

I guess he'll be benching with his thumbs gripping around the bar from now on.

 

[SaiBoT]

I always touch the chest, some guys have a bench press ROM equal to a calf raise with a spotter helping all the way up and down, oh and actually think they are kings of the bench. Bench lockouts and board presses are the only exercises where OBVIOUSLY I won't be touch the chest with the bar

 

[desmond]

I touch - I'm blessed with uninjurable shoulders. As on Omega don't do this anymore, but use to do dips with 70% of bodyweight attached and actually pause on the most bottom of position I could possibly stretch to. Never felt any pain in shoulders

 

[FunFun]

I touch the bar to the xyphoid process and pause (not rest, but hold the tension) on most sets. Keep the grip a bit narrower so that the elbows can come in towards the sides to take the stress off the shoulder.

 

[FunFun]

I touch - I'm blessed with uninjurable shoulders. As on Omega don't do this anymore, but use to do dips with 70% of bodyweight attached and actually pause on the most bottom of position I could possibly stretch to. Never felt any pain in shoulders

I envy you, but don't take it for granted. Your shoulders are not made of steel and one day you may regret being so gung ho about your "uninjurability".

 

[Blane]

I have found this is the best bench tecnique!!!

My jaw dropped!!!!!!

 

[mwm5]

i stay about 1inch from chest........if i touch my shoulders kill me for a couple days. all from that 1inch or so extra

 

[Chrisco915]

I have found this is the best bench tecnique!!!

That is excellent spotting right there. LOL.

 

[Chrisco915]

I must admit that my chest does touch the bar when I am drinking.