How low do you go...

[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.