Bench and monkey arms

[tryionlannister]

There was a post the other day about max's on lifts and that got me thinking.

I believe that my strength is pretty good for most of my lifts. My legs are solid as hell, ( improved alot this past cycle). I had to buy new jeans bc my old ones wont fit up over my legs now) my back is IMO well developed for my size as are most of my other muscles. Not saying there great but I'm happy with the strength

However my chest lack development my chest is defined and thicker than it used to be but doesn't have that thick look that many other guys have.
My one rep max at the end of this cycle is only 320.

Could my lack of development be because I literally have long monkey arms? The tips of my fingers can damn near touch my knees while standing

 

[6Damn6Ram6]

ONLY 320.....quit acting like that's bad bro =P. Do you use a wider grip? If your arms are that long you may want to go wider then wide lol. And one thing that i recently have done to up my bench was add in pushups to failure once a week. For instance, if i bench on monday ill do chest and triceps....then on thursday ill do shoulders and triceps but with 3 sets of puchups to failure before i start my tricep work. I have to hit tri's twice a week or no progress comes out of it. When i started doing that my bench started going up again and the amount of pushups i could do till failure for each set went up each week. My chest is the biggest it has ever been

 

[tryionlannister]

I guess it's not terrible but most of my gym buddies bench more than me.

Thanks for the advice

 

[1Johnboy]

Just my opinion here, I do think those of us with longer arms are at a disadvantage compared to those guys with the short raptor arms (sorry no offense!). They have more leverage and shorter distances to travel. Just my opinion and I could be way out in left field.

 

[Soulthief]

Just my opinion here, I do think those of us with longer arms are at a disadvantage compared to those guys with the short raptor arms (sorry no offense!). They have more leverage and shorter distances to travel. Just my opinion and I could be way out in left field.

You're totally correct. I have shorter arms than what I think is average for 5'10. I can do certain movements, like bench, easier than someone with long arms. One is not better than the other of course. I've always boxed and having short arms can really suck against someone with long arms and have to come in close.

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[Soulthief]

I would also think your monkey arms haha would be an advantage in other movement like dead lifts because I have to reach much further to start the movement.

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[1Johnboy]

Gotcha soul, like you said bro there are advantages and disadvantages. but would love shorter arms for better bragging rights on benching!

 

[Soulthief]

Gotcha soul, like you said bro there are advantages and disadvantages. but would love shorter arms for better bragging rights on benching!

Play to your strengths. And your bench is strong. Put 225 on a rack and watch what most guys can do with it! Long or short arms.

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[Danward]

hey man, if you think your lacking in chest development, go watch Train chest with Kai Greene. he talks about how people make the mistake of always concentrating on their 1 rep max and possible using shoulders to much and not contracting their chest fully during the movement. I am 6'4 220 lbs (natural) I can only bench 275 but I have a bigger chest then most guys who can bench more then me because I have developed the ability to contract my chest really well.

 

[Sinister613]

Same boat here at 6'3. My deads are very strong but bench sucks donkey dick. Always been jealous of my buddies short arms.

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