How low do you go...

[lavi]

on benchpress?

Some big guy has been telling me that you should benchpress only so that your arms go to 90 degrees; going past that could easily mess up your shoulders. Seems like it's practically no range of motion?

I've been doing 1-2" above chest, seems to be working for me...

So how low do you go and why? To your chest, 1-2" above chest (which I guess is to chest for those of you with huge pecs), or arms to 90 degrees?



How about squats?

 

[needsize]

I touch the bar to my chest on every rep, i am a firm believer that everything should be as long a range of motion as possible, so I squat ass to the floor, bench to the chest, etc

 

[b fold the truth]

I touch...can't think of a reason not to.

B True

 

[FatRat]

I touch, its safe as long as you use correct form and look after your rotator cuff.

 

[lavi]

haha I got replies from needsize AND b fold no need to check this thread anymore

Edit: uhh... you too FatRat

 

[FatRat]

No problem

 

[Lord_Suston]

I touch the bar to my chest on every rep, i am a firm believer that everything should be as long a range of motion as possible, so I squat ass to the floor, bench to the chest, etc

I follow this unless my goal is to strengthen a specific part of my lift

 

[Hansson]

Depends on your body type. A full range is of course the best if your physique allows you to do it in a safe manner. In the bench, if you're very thin and have long arms, the bottom position may get awkward and put your shoulders in a dangerous position. Otherwise, go for the full range motion.

 

[WarriorPL]

touch the chest, even with a pause sometimes.

 

[needsize]

I have very long arms, I'm under 5'9" and they measure out over 6" in wingspan, so that actually gives me a longer range of motion which allows me to build a thicker chest

 

[Backlash]

I am tall (6'3") and thin and go all the way down to my chest (and don't bounce the bar!). Keep your elbows tucked in toward your sides rather than flared out - this will help prevent shoulder injuries.

 

[OfWolfandMan]

Im tall with really long arms too,and still touch my chest...its just a longer range of motion.I think that when doing JM presses you dont go all the way down,but I may be wrong on that.For me,I think stopping before touching the chest,stresses my joints even more

 

[TheOak84]

i touch my chest. if im doin 8-10 reps ill usually pause the last 1-2 for 3 seconds. i like it that way

i hate the guys who go half way down, they have weird looking chests.

i do go 3/4 of the way up, i dont lock out, i like it that way.

 

[bignate73]

touch the chest. otherwise its a partial.

learn how to bench right and your ROM shouldnt be that extreme to where you are putting your shoulders in harms way.

 

[Debaser's_Sweetboy]

on bench press I touch, but the motion is controlled. partials are good for overloading a muscle.

 

[Buddy_Christ]

i don't touch. i bring the bar down very close though (bout 1/2"), pause for 1.5 - 2 seconds while i "get my aggression going," the drive it up with everything i have. started doing this a few weeks ago when i came across this link

http://www.asylum-strength.com/articles/bench.htm

which was up as a sticky i believe (and will be again soon with all the training methods in the same thread). great article, even if it's pretty technical.