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

[SaiBoT]

Does this apply when lowering the dumbells for a dumbbell press? How far down should you go when doing these? Any videos to demonstrate?

Dumbells are alot easier on your shoulders and provide a longer range of motion, neutral grip, normal grip, with a twist it's really a matter of personal choice.

 

[the_alcatraz]

I always have, but people have told me that it's bad for your shoulders and will cause problems down the line. thoughts/experiences?

touch your chest with the bar, or it's not a full rep IMO

No matter how heavy I go, I like to feel the full stretch and touch the bar with my chest...

 

[FunFun]

Adduction does increase ROM, yes, and perhaps at 45 degrees, your ROM coincides with the point at which the bar touches the chest, but I wouldn't use that as a blanket rule for everyone. Also realize that comfort is not always a good indicator. I can "comfortably" touch the bar to my chest even though it is beyond my natural, relaxed range of motion.

I should have mentioned in my post that a good solid back arch is required and the bar touches the xyphoid process which will usually be the highest point. This is of course reduces the ROM significantly...and probably enough to make it safe for most.

Hand spacing is another important consideration in keeping the shoulders safe at full ROM. Most people hold the bar too wide in the mistaken belief it makes them stronger on the bench by reducing the ROM. Perhaps they can lift more for a while until their shoulders pack it in.

 

[FunFun]

Dumbells are alot easier on your shoulders and provide a longer range of motion, neutral grip, normal grip, with a twist it's really a matter of personal choice.

Apart from the obvious freedom of hand position with DBs, most people would not go down as low with DBs as they would with BB bench simply because they don't have a "place" to touch. With DBs I go as low as feels right thereby never overstretching.

 

[SaiBoT]

Apart from the obvious freedom of hand position with DBs, most people would not go down as low with DBs as they would with BB bench simply because they don't have a "place" to touch. With DBs I go as low as feels right thereby never overstretching.

ahmmm pressing with a barbell as a smallr range of motion because if you let the dumbells touch on top that's some added ROM right there and if you do them with a neutral grip and also let you shoulder blades expand enhancing pecs contraction, voila even extra ROM.

 

[FunFun]

ahmmm pressing with a barbell as a smallr range of motion because if you let the dumbells touch on top that's some added ROM right there and if you do them with a neutral grip and also let you shoulder blades expand enhancing pecs contraction, voila even extra ROM.

I don't concern myself with where the DB plates are. (Different DB's have different circumferance plates anyway). I drop them to a position that feels right, and for me it is definitely not as deep as a chest touching BB bench. I wouldn't be using a neutral grip, but somewhere inbetween.

 

[SaiBoT]

I don't concern myself with where the DB plates are. (Different DB's have different circumferance plates anyway). I drop them to a position that feels right, and for me it is definitely not as deep as a chest touching BB bench. I wouldn't be using a neutral grip, but somewhere inbetween.

I know what you mean bro.

 

[DaveTSI]

I always have, but people have told me that it's bad for your shoulders and will cause problems down the line. thoughts/experiences?

sounds like an excuse from someone who cant bench alot the correct way

if you dont touch your chest it isnt a real benchpress, unless you are physically unable to do it because of severe pain or limited mobility then you absolutely should touch.

 

[the_alcatraz]

Does this apply when lowering the dumbells for a dumbbell press? How far down should you go when doing these? Any videos to demonstrate?

I go 90 degrees with the dumbells...I try to go to a point where they are parallel to the ground max

 

[1999TL]

Just the thread I was looking for. Search feature is my friend.