Who prefers Incline ore decline over flat bench?

[rick_hfh]

I admitt that early on I had a love affair with the big weights I could move with the bench press. But I have only moderate chest development to show for a big bench. I am a shoulder ticep presser by nature. I have tried all the methods of pinching the shoulders down and back but just don't feel the chest work as much as declines. I am not asking for advice on bench presses, just want to know how many prefer other lifts.

 

[FFQuads]

Inclines. I think it hits that top better and helps with the optical illusion. When lean, this top makes the chest look twice as big.

 

[oso0690]

I'd say declines. I'm obsessed with more weight being moved.

 

[Sassy69]

Incline -- decline hits muscles that are buried under my $6K boobs.

 

[Fajitas]

Flat bench fcks with my sholders. I stick to incline's and declines.

 

[Extra_Strong]

do you arch your back much when benches flat??

I do bench.

but i think the body is made more for the decline and incline movements if you do these there is no need for flat bench. plus it is just not something you would use in the real world.

 

[Wulfgar]

I suck alot harder @ Inclines..which is why i bust my ass so hard @ them...the barbell kills me
I can throw the 160's up with the dumbells for sets of 10. 315 on a barbell kills me @ 6! damnit

 

[rick_hfh]

Inclines. I think it hits that top better and helps with the optical illusion. When lean, this top makes the chest look twice as big.

I stopped benching years ago. So many guys do only bench and have good lower chest development, wich is really cool looking. But for a chest to look impressive to me there has to be thick upper pecs or be worth "$6k" . Not many guys even use inclines. I do heavy incline as my 1st chest lift. The look really gives you the square cinder block shape wich not many guys have.

I was just wondering if I was the only one around here who isn't obsessed with the bench press. I got kinda fed up at the gym waiting for the only benches that were available. The benches are adjustable, and I wanted to do inclines. I had to wait 45 minutes for these two groups of guys that do bench only for chest. Half of them were so proud of their 200lb bench press press club shirts. I just don't get the love affair with the bench. When I started training all I wanted was a big chest. Then I got obsessed with the weight I used. maybee 20 more lbs will add the thickness I was looking for. Then I reallized bench wasn't adding much to my physique. Since I have added incline/decline I like my titty's. Sorry for the rant.

Thanks to all who replied k on the way

 

[crazyivan]

i love incline bench, its always open in the gym so i dont have to wait on it. i also feel i get better results from it. i almost never do decline because my shoulder sliped out of place once and i smashed my face with 135! i was just warmin up and on the 3rd rep SMASH.

 

[Tweakle]

declines, easier on the shoulders, feels better, more natural groove.. I've busted up my shoulders doing flat but the decline doesnt bother them much. Inclines on a low angle are even better (because of the lower weight)

my criteria for a good exercise selection is moving towards does it let me lift pain free rather than 'can I impress the high school kids by repping 405+'

 

[cmdubs]

agreed with Tweakle on the declines
it doesn't bother my shoulders like flats/inclines

 

[Forge]

If I'm gonna bench then I prefer a slight incline, but honestly I prefer dips over everything else for chest. Dips just seem to give me the best results and "feel" for the chest. But then I always prefer exercises where the body is in motion rather than stationary.

 

[Ramcononer]

Incline all the way...flats kills shoulders. If im gonna do flats I do dumbells.

 

[rick_hfh]

Thanks for all of your opinions. I am glad to know I am not alone.

 

[doctorfeelgood]

decline because in the long run it'll bring ur chest up more.

 

[happiest]

Incline heavy with alternating dips and declines for reps....only flat for close grips on heavy days; other than that, I never touch the flat benches....I hate the aches and pains in my shoulders and neck from the angle.....

 

[Novacek]

I am with you guys 100%

Tore up a shoulder several years ago, Declines and INclines are the only benching I do. Cable rows weem to blow them up well also but I don't do flat unless it is with dumbells.

Decline seems to blow my chest up well but I also do decline and Incline Cable rows on a machine. I love those.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

Inclines and weighted dips build the best chest. I would know. I'm God. Take my word for it.

Also, if you want proof I'm good - Jesus is my son. Can't argue with that.

But yeah, inclines + dips. Flat doesn't feel comfortable for me. I never find the right groove. I've tried 10+ variations (elbows flared or tucked, wide and close grip, lowering to my nipples or upper abs, reverse-grip, shoulders pinched and normal, feet driving and feet simply stationary on the ground for balance [no leg drive] - now mix and match as many of these as you can, I likely did it), and I never liked it. I stuck with it for awhile, got up some decent numbers, but it's not something I enjoy.

Never tried declines, to be honest. Don't care to - dips do the same to me. Maybe I'll try 'em though.

 

[rick_hfh]

Inclines and weighted dips build the best chest. I would know. I'm God. Take my word for it.

Also, if you want proof I'm good - Jesus is my son. Can't argue with that.

But yeah, inclines + dips. Flat doesn't feel comfortable for me. I never find the right groove. I've tried 10+ variations (elbows flared or tucked, wide and close grip, lowering to my nipples or upper abs, reverse-grip, shoulders pinched and normal, feet driving and feet simply stationary on the ground for balance [no leg drive] - now mix and match as many of these as you can, I likely did it), and I never liked it. I stuck with it for awhile, got up some decent numbers, but it's not something I enjoy.

Never tried declines, to be honest. Don't care to - dips do the same to me. Maybe I'll try 'em though.

Hello god, I am sorry about that one thing last friday. It won't happen agian.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

It's fine, just make sure you pay money to my church. After all, God needs his rec. drug fix too, and my dealer gets pissed when I turn up late with the cash.

 

[riverrock]

Throw in a few sessions on the decline bench if your gym allows it. Great exercise, but have a spotter.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

If that was directed at me, I train at home. I have no spotter.

I wonder if I can make it work anyway.

 

[riverrock]

If that was directed at me, I train at home. I have no spotter.

I wonder if I can make it work anyway.

Hey man!

Yes you can. Put a step (like the aerobics step) under the top of your bench and go for it. The only thing is that you may slide down the bench, so get someone to hold your knees or anything you can think of to stop yourself sliding down the decline!

 

[fireman664]

I admitt that early on I had a love affair with the big weights I could move with the bench press. But I have only moderate chest development to show for a big bench. I am a shoulder ticep presser by nature. I have tried all the methods of pinching the shoulders down and back but just don't feel the chest work as much as declines. I am not asking for advice on bench presses, just want to know how many prefer other lifts.

I had some shoulder problems and realized I just cant do flat anymore. (not heavy anyway) I can go as heavy as I want on decline with no problems, and I can do heavy dumbell inclines ok, but not barbell.......but once I switched to decline, my chest made some nice gaines.

 

[rick_hfh]

Cool, I had no idea declines and inclines were that popular. Flat bench can kiss my arse.

 

[cwick0]

sometimes your body dictates what is best for u. If you are gifted with good/sturdy shoulders then flat is probably your best bet. However, if you have shoulder problems then decline is much easier than flat. Unfortunately, incline is probably the hardest, yet is probably the overall best. Unfortunately most have a difficult time really progressing with it, it takes a long long time to really develop strength on inclines.

 

[camshaft]

flat is the only thing that DOESNT kill my shoulders.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

flat is the only thing that DOESNT kill my shoulders.

Well clearly, you're a mutant and should be expunged.

 

[The Shadow]

I havent done any flat or decline BB benching in 3 years. I hit dumbells only and most of the time is strictly inclines at a 30-45 degree angle.

 

[rnch]

I havent done any flat or decline BB benching in 3 years. I hit dumbells only and most of the time is strictly inclines at a 30-45 degree angle.

your gallery pics show the results of this!

 

[The Shadow]

Hey Broly.....

thank you...getting back into the swing of things finally

 

[rnch]

Hey Broly.....

thank you...getting back into the swing of things finally

same here, S....old house renovation, the biatch Katrina and her aftermath and ...relationship...issues have kept my too busy otherwise. i had forgotten how theraputic lifting can be to cleanse the mind and body.

 

[The Shadow]

LMAO @ relationship "issues"


Some have issues...other have subscriptions.

 

[rnch]

from what you have told me in PM's and what you have posted here.....it's a measure of both of our senses of humor and resiliance that we can now "LMAO @ relationship 'issues' ".