bench press question

[silver_shadow]

last wk on chest day while i was flat benching i notice some guy watching me. then i finish the set and he comes up to me and tells me i'm doing it all wrong! now i have been training for 4 yrs+ now and the way i bench was the one i learnt way back then- i have seen this method described in many PL sites too. basically i bring my elbows closer to my body rather than at right angles and i bring the bar down to the lower most part of my pecs. this guy insists that the bar should come down right on to the upper pecs which means that my arms come down perpendicular to my body. i told him its a PL technique and he says that i am cheating and while i may be able to lift more, i won't be able to build as much mass. he actually has me confused now!

 

[Toozee]

From what I've read on this site, most PL's here bench the same way you do: Elbows in, bar to lower chest.
The guy that came up to you is describing bodybuilding type bench and has probably never had much knowledge of PL techniques. If power lifting goals are what you have, then I'd stick with what you're doing.

 

[FatRat]

The way your "buddy" is talking about will put "some" additional stress directly onto your chest, but at the same time will play havoc with you shoulders, and in particularly your relatively fragile rotator cuff.

 

[danielson]

yeah.....i get told loads of stuff in the gym too. provided you know the reasoning behind what your doing and are confident its safe (and the reasons they give dont make sense) take everything they say with a pinch of salt

ive had one person say i should always use a belt when squatting for example

 

[spatts]

Tell your buddy spatts said to kiss her ass.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Tell him to go fudge himself.

Actually the guys' just trying to help. The problem is so many people think they know it all when they don't know jack. I used to think I knew it all - after all, I read all the muscle magazines. Maybe you can enlighten him.. probably not, though.

 

[Devastation]

don't worry. the way you described your technique, you're headed in the right direction

 

[longarms]

Tell your buddy spatts said to kiss her ass.

Tell me! Tell me!

J/K, I've been in the desert a LONG TIME!

 

[jackangel]

I'm not a powerlifter, but I also keep my arms in and bring the bar low on my chest. It does make you stronger in the movement, but cheating obviously isn't the right word. I think sparing your rotator cuffs the added stress is worth it, and you can still work your chest well enough. If you do some incline and dumbell work (maybe some dips too) along with flat bench, your pecs should get worked nicely.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Tell your buddy spatts said to kiss her ass.

What about me?? What must I do for you to tell me that? hehe

 

[silver_shadow]

yup rotator cuffs- that's the reason i know for my particular technique. i should be lifting for many yrs more.

spatts, that guy ain't my buddy- just some "over helpful" prick. so i'd rather take up ur invitation

 

[d3track]

most people who really know what they are doing don't talk to alot of people in the gym
i know i see all kinds of weird crap at the gym, but i just keep going through my work, i feel that if they are serious enough they will ask
i don't have a problem with that, hell thats what i have done