Triceps overpowering chest????

[TC2]

I can't seem to isolate my chest when going heavy.

My triceps get super pumped and no matter what grip I use I can't seem to get my chest to take the full load of the weight.


any advice...maybe I'm going to heavy for my chest????

 

[Madcow2]

I'm assuming you are talking about pressing movements. Compound movements will tend to stress the weakest link in the chain. I'm guessing from your description your tricepts are weaker relative to the other muscles involved. Don't worry about isolating a muscle, just get your weak links up to par and continue to make progress in the compound lifts.

 

[skacorica]

my biggest suggestion is to really make a concentrated effort to squeeze your chest when you are doing the exercises....that will especially help with things like bench press.

 

[TC2]

I'm assuming you are talking about pressing movements. Compound movements will tend to stress the weakest link in the chain. I'm guessing from your description your tricepts are weaker relative to the other muscles involved. Don't worry about isolating a muscle, just get your weak links up to par and continue to make progress in the compound lifts.

I don't think that my triceps are the weak link, I'm actually really strong when it comes to triceps exercises.

That's why I think that they're overpowering my chest and doing most of the lifting.

P.S. Im talking about incline(slight incline) benching.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

I'm assuming you are talking about pressing movements. Compound movements will tend to stress the weakest link in the chain. I'm guessing from your description your tricepts are weaker relative to the other muscles involved. Don't worry about isolating a muscle, just get your weak links up to par and continue to make progress in the compound lifts.

right on..becnhing flat/incline is going to be difficult isolating the pecs hence its a compund move

 

[jwwpua]

Do you feel your chest working when you do flat dumbbell presses?

 

[super_rice]

if you get a huge pump in your triceps and you "feel" your triceps working more, it's not because they are overpowering, but it's because, as madcow mentioned, that they are in fact your weakest link.

 

[H_T_]

i never get a pump in my chest from flat benching. the pecs really don't contract hard enough to get a great pump when pressing.

 

[GrandMaster]

yea, i've had this issue myself...
i tried solely working out on my tri's fora while, strengthen them up so i could be more direct at my chest, didnt seem to help,.. but... decline presses, seem to target my chest well, i find trying to push more with the chest, concentrating on that helps... weird lol..

 

[BOOEY]

Try dumbells and like someone above mentioned, really concentrate on getting that stretch on the bottom of the movement, and the squeeze at the top of the movement.

 

[mrplunkey]

If your tricepts are getting a good pump and your chest doesn't feel much, I wonder if you are tucking your elbows too closely to your body. The more you tuck-in your elbows, the more you recruit your tricepts and back. The more you move your elbows out (away from your body), the more you recruit your shoulders and chest.

I too think dumbells would help you a lot.

 

[ihateschool243]

I can't seem to isolate my chest when going heavy.

My triceps get super pumped and no matter what grip I use I can't seem to get my chest to take the full load of the weight.


any advice...maybe I'm going to heavy for my chest????

Bring the bar down to the bottom of the sternum and keep your shoulder blades together. You might just feel like your chest isn't being worked, but if your touching the weight to your chest (like you should be) your working the chest.

 

[Kane Fan]

try doing flys
I'm 100% sure your triceps won't do more of the work then your pecs with those

 

[TC2]

If your tricepts are getting a good pump and your chest doesn't feel much, I wonder if you are tucking your elbows too closely to your body. The more you tuck-in your elbows, the more you recruit your tricepts and back. The more you move your elbows out (away from your body), the more you recruit your shoulders and chest.

I too think dumbells would help you a lot.

That may be it, I'll try that....thanks.