90 degree bench press

[Foxxxy]

Okay so some of my friends from school said there trainers told them that when there doing a flat bench or some sort that there elbows should make a 90 degree angle instead of touching or going close to their chest.
Does this seem like it would be worth the time or are they just idiots.

 

[ExtraMile]

do you mean and angle of the bend at the elbow joint? or the angle from the upper arm to the side of the body?

 

[Foxxxy]

heres an image from google of just an example of the elbow being a 90 degree angle, except that this would happen when they bench
http://www.nku.edu/~issues/weightlifting/MVC-042S.JPG

 

[future]

Elbows flaired or tucked are all options for benching and it depends on your goals, injury history AND structure. But flaired benching is a valid style.

 

[ExtraMile]

heres an image from google of just an example of the elbow being a 90 degree angle, except that this would happen when they bench
http://www.nku.edu/~issues/weightlifting/MVC-042S.JPG

i have highlighted the two angles, which are you talking about?

 

[Foxxxy]

the one on the left extramile

 

[ExtraMile]

oh yah i dont think theres anything wrong with that, but when you have your upper arms fanned out like that it hits your chest real hard but can be dangerous on the rotator cuffs...

 

[Foxxxy]

kk cuz i can lift about 50 lbs more when i stop at a 90 degree angle

 

[future]

OH so you are just talking partial lifting? Unless you have injuries that is just not wise especially just to boast higher numbers.

 

[Nomak666]

i prefer to bring my elbows lower and brign the bar as close to my chest as possible wihtout injury to give the pecs that full stretch and i take a wider grip to emphasize the chest more and less on triceps and delts.

 

[Foxxxy]

yeah same here nomak