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.

Sent from Canada

 

[1armedscissor]

One of my friends I workout with is 6'3" and I'm 5'10". I can out bench him but he can out curl me. Do his longer arms help him curl better than they do benching? Sorry to change the subject of benching but curious how it works for you taller guys.

 

[tryionlannister]

Yeah I'm the same way I can out curl many of my friends. Plus my arms look better than theirs as well. But chest. Forget about theirs looks better than mine.

 

[tryionlannister]

Danward. I think you might have bit the nail on the head for me. My chest never gets sore and I never really feel it contract

 

[BrickWallBruce]

use a wide wide bench grip

 

[Danward]

you don't need to change grip as much as start using light dumbbells and experiment where you have to move your arms to contract your chest then transfer that movement to your bench. you need to develop the mind muscle connection, it's dire to development.

 

[[email protected]]

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

What other exersises do you use for cheest? and do you pull your shoulders back when bench?? that way you will lift more and get more concentratet on the chest and less on the shooulders

 

[MattJS]

I have monkey arms and my bench is awful next to my other lifts, I'm lucky to get a few reps out at 225... However I use strict form (hands within the rings) which makes my grip very close given the length of my arms...

 

[digit0x]

longer arms create leverage issues but doesn't effect lifts that much. 320 max is great. Take wider grip. Try different isolation execises.

 

[melochai]

longer arms create leverage issues but doesn't effect lifts that much. 320 max is great. Take wider grip. Try different isolation execises.

That's exactly why power lifters generally have stubby arms right? lol

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[GradeABeef]

I am about 5'9" and I start heavy and drop weight with each set so I can fail every set. Last cycle I was at 390 5 times on my decline then about 360 8 times then 340 8 times. Then I move to incline then flat.
The starting heavy has changed my strength and size greatly. I can't stop at 8 or even 10 reps with little weight. I feel like I left too much on the table and wasted a workout.