Questions tagged [bench-press]

An exercise where the athlete lays with their back flat on a bench (or other surface) - that is either parallel to the ground, or at an angle - and their feet on the floor, while lifting a weight (or set of weights) from their chest straight up (perpendicular to the floor).

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1 answer
47 views

How does one properly load the lats in a powerlifting Benchpress?

I have been searching the a lot but I can't find any good explanations on this. One cue that seems to get at this is "bending the bar", but I think this cue is detrimental to my bench. Could ...
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1 answer
108 views

How to achieve ridiculous endurance

https://www.youtube.com/@jmi75leja/videos The guy in this video benched his own bodyweight 66.5kg/156lbs x 601 times and he also benched 95kg/210lbs x 80 repetitions without ever racking back the ...
2 votes
1 answer
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Conflicting information on how to rack/unrack bar in bench press

At 5:52 of Alan thrall's explanation of how to bench press, he says to unrack the bar by dragging it horizontally. I can't seem to pull this off. However, in certain other videos, an explanation is ...
3 votes
1 answer
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Why is a barbell bench press stronger than a dumbbell bench press?

When I maxed out my bench press, I could lift 150 pounds. However, I only lift a maximum of 60 pound dumbbells however I try. I could not lift 65 pound dumbbells (130 pounds) but I could lift a 150 ...
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1 answer
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Does using dumbbells have stability advantages?

I am just seeking clarity here. Bench pressing with a bar vs using dumbbells. When it comes to strength and stability, does one offer a greater benefit than the other? I heard using dumbbells has a ...
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2 votes
1 answer
759 views

What is the bench press form for every day life?

I know several power lifters and they all arch while lifting. On my journey to increase strength and power for practical, every day use, these friends have been encouraging me to adopt the arch style ...
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3 votes
1 answer
125 views

Can bench pressing an unevenly loaded bar lead to injury?

I am new to fitness and weight lifting. I was doing bench press and asked my(2) partners to load 12.5 kg each side. One of the loaded 12.5 kg right side and other didn't hear properly and loaded 15 kg ...
-4 votes
1 answer
167 views

How to up my bench?

I bench 90kg for 10 reps after 3 months of training. I'm quite disappointed as my friend and I started at the same time and he's benching 110kg for 10 reps, although he weights 15 kgs heavier. I ...
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4 votes
1 answer
240 views

How to avoid "leading shoulders" when doing benchpress

https://youtu.be/xQTMhydmWAM?t=159 Sometimes I get into this position, when my shoulder is doing the majority of the work. What are some exercises to fix this? I imagine it would involve scapula ...
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2 votes
3 answers
369 views

Program for people with crappy genetics?

Did SS for 1 year. Bench is stalled at a pitiful 50kgs. I have worked with PTs, track calories religiously, eat 2x bodyweight. I gained 3 kgs in the last 3 weeks and my bench went down from 60kg, to ...
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2 votes
0 answers
111 views

Is it possible to get weaker despite weight gain?

Training about 1 years overall. Following a 3 day ppl split. Gained 3 kgs (from 61 - 64) over the last 3 weeks but bench press went from 60 kg to 50kg. I'm tracking calories religiously, eat 2x ...
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2 votes
2 answers
202 views

How would you replace the bench press for chest hypertrophy?

although I like the bench press very much, I think I'll stop doing it as it causes me right scapula pain in the point shown in figure. This probem occurs if I perform barbell bench press, dumbbell ...
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3 votes
1 answer
643 views

How does a "seated chest press" machine differ from a regular bench press?

I have a multi-gym machine very similar to the one shown. It allows me to emulate a bench press from a seated position, I think this is exercise is called a seated chest press? I have never done a a ...
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7 votes
2 answers
255 views

Should I upwards rotate my shoulder-blade in bench press?

everyone knows the great advantages that scapular retraction provides in bench press (discussed for example there). Now I want to make a point. As explained there (but also there), The scapulohumeral ...
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1 vote
2 answers
190 views

Shoulder pain when benching heavy

I have recently been pushing my bench weight to the point where I'm just barely able to push the bar up on my last rep of the set. I've recently noticed that I've been getting a sharp shoulder pain in ...
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2 votes
1 answer
389 views

Analysis of the bar path in bench press

I wanted to do a deep analysis of the reason behind the ideal bar path in bench press. There are many sources telling us that the ideal bar path is something like this (a J pattern on the way up, and ...
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2 votes
1 answer
297 views

Cannot keep elbows straight in bench press

I need some advices about how to keep my elbows straight under the bar during bench press. It is known that having elbows in front of the bar creates unnecessary torque on both the elbow and the ...
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3 votes
2 answers
274 views

Will reducing rest between sets make push ups better for hypertrophy?

Some personal stats: 52 yo. 140 lbs. 5'9" My max for push ups in one set is around 35. My 1RM for bench is 145 lbs. If I use 75% 1RM for doing sets of 10 reps, I should lift around 110 lbs. If I ...
3 votes
1 answer
319 views

How to rack/unrack the barbell properly in bench press

I have seen in my gym plenty of people unracking/racking the barbell like Jeremy Ethier in the following picture. He has the bar exactly above his eyes. But when I bench press, I don't feel safe when ...
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3 votes
1 answer
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How Can I Optimize my Bench Press Training

Last week I learned that my states RAW bench press record in my weight class is only 15-25 pounds heavier than my current 1RM, so I am going to break it. The record is sitting at 286.60 lbs, and ...
3 votes
1 answer
87 views

Is deloading useful for recovering?

I think I'm I have a tendon or ligament à bit hurted at the bottom left side of my left chest because for 1 month I've rushed at weights (I've increased it to fast). Should I decrease the weight and ...
1 vote
0 answers
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Why is the bench press harder than push ups and dips?

So if you put yourself in a push up position on a digital balance it clearly tells you how much weight you are pushing. Apparently on the top position with straight arms you are holding 61% of your ...
1 vote
1 answer
203 views

Is arm shivering an indication that you need to reduce the weight you are lifting?

I'm pretty new to lifting (~1.5months) and I have been following the Bigger Leaner Stronger workouts. They mainly focus on high weight low rep training. The book asks you to lift about 70-80% of your ...
1 vote
1 answer
100 views

Biceps pain during chest work

I have been working in the gym for a long time, 2 months due to my quarantine, I did cardio and some light exercises at home to stay active. I went back to the gym about 2 months ago, the first 2 ...
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1 vote
2 answers
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Is the bench useless?

Apparently function of the tricep is also pulling the humerus back, and function of the chest is also pulling the humerus down. And Indeed pullovers are listen as both back and chest builders. And ...
1 vote
1 answer
135 views

Is it normal to have a stiff neck after a dumbbell bench press 3 reps session? [closed]

Is it normal to have a stiff neck after a dumbbell bench press 3 reps session? I mean, I don't feel like moving my neck too much uptill some time after bench pressing. Is that normal?
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1 answer
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Expected progress for beginners in 6 months

I've started weight training a few weeks ago with light weights. 39 years, 189cm, 89kg, never trained before. Right now I'm doing 2 sets of 10 reps with 6.5kg dumbells in bench press. I can do more, ...
5 votes
5 answers
301 views

Increase bench press 1RM

I want to increase my 1RM on bench press. I lift about 2 years. At the beginning it went great and fast. But when I reached 220 lbs it stopped. It hasn't changed in the last year. I go bench press ...
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3 votes
2 answers
128 views

Shared space incline equipment options (living room)

I exercise in a shared family space, so no 'dedicated' exercise equipment would work. When doing weight lifting with dumbells/powerblocks, often the exercises require some form of 'incline' for chest ...
8 votes
3 answers
1k views

Bench Press Form Check

I've been working on my technique for the barbell bench press. I used to do a pretty flat bench press but I've recently tried to use the technique taught by Scot Mendelson. Namely, the setting onto ...
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6 votes
1 answer
334 views

Should I bench press without an arch during training?

I currently barbell bench press twice a week; a 1x5 on Tuesday and a 5x5 on Friday. On each of these days, I perform all of my reps with a powerlifting style bench press setup: back arch and leg drive ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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Delavier: Is it correct to bench press with demi-reps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc9dABOpu4Q is this a good execution? Can it hurt lumbaries? Is it correct to do demi-reps?
2 votes
3 answers
109 views

How to strengthen my triceps for dumbells bench?

I do dumbells bench press on Tuesday, and my triceps on Saturday. I would have expected my triceps not to limit my bench press practice anymore, but instead, they didn't have a positive effect. Worse: ...
1 vote
1 answer
121 views

Stable shoulder position in bench press vs pushups?

When performing the bench press, usually you are advised to pinch your shoulder blades back and down in order to get your shoulder joint in the most stable/safe position. Also it's pretty common to ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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What exercises can temporarily replace the barbell/dumbbell bench press?

I injured my shoulder rock climbing and I cannot bench press anymore as I get pain in that range of motion. Dumbbells are painful too. I can still overheard press fine, and I can do straight bar dips, ...
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1 answer
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giving the left shoulder a rest. can I train squats and\or the right arm?

Despite being cautious with the bench press I noticed I feel my left shoulder a bit more when I do reverse grip lat pull down as per the picture below. I was considering training the right arms and\...
1 vote
3 answers
982 views

Bench 225 in two months?

My current bench press 1-RM is close to 170 lbs. Is it possible to bring my 1-RM to around 225 lbs in just six weeks (without pills, steroids, etc.)? If not, how much could I increase my max by at ...
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1 vote
1 answer
135 views

Strength program

I am 29 and been working out for about a decade now and feel like i hit a point where my strength is not developing anymore. My total in squat, deadlift and bench was stuck between 1305 and 1350lbs ...
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1 answer
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I have exactly one month and ten days to get in unbelievable shape

This will be my first and probably only post on here. I have physical fitness tests for my police program in Quebec, Canada, in exactly 1 month and 10 days as the title says. Tests are: -2,8km in ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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Flat dumbbell press and incline dumbbell press (45°) [retraction,weights motion path]

How to retract my scapula? On YouTube people often show retraction in such a way that it creates an ass-crack in between the shoulder blades, but when I try to retract like them, I retract but such ...
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1 answer
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Breathing during bench press (mark rippitoe)

“No breath taken during the set will involve the complete exchange of the full tidal volume of your lungs. This takes too long, requires too much relaxation, and is unnecessary. Breathing during the ...
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4 votes
1 answer
107 views

Could have benefits of one arm dumbell bench-press?

I have incorporated dumbell bench-presses into my workout routine. I use progressive overloading, so every second or third workout I increase the weight I lift. Until now it has worked well and I have ...
1 vote
1 answer
137 views

Alternatives for Bench Press

My ophthalmologist advised me to avoid the bench press due to some strain in the eyes. But given the importance of bench press in body building and power lifting, avoiding bench press may have ...
1 vote
2 answers
659 views

Wrist Position Bench Press vs. Overhead Press

Why does it seem to be okay to bend your wrist in an OHP (many many tutorials show it that way) whereas it's highly adviced (even from the same people doing these tutorials) to get your wrist in a ...
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1 answer
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Bench press (starting strength by Mark Rippitoe)

"The pectoralis minor helps stabilize the rib cage into the arched position when the scapulae are anchored by the traps and rhomboids" How scapulae are anchored by traps and rhomboids? I didn't get ...
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3 votes
3 answers
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Benching/pressing more than three times every two weeks on Starting Strength

On Starting Strength, the lifter is only supposed to be doing bench press every other workout, and similarly for overhead press, so that one is only bench pressing (or overhead pressing) three times ...
1 vote
3 answers
216 views

Explosive bench press form

When I'm doing a regular bench press I have my shoulder blades slightly pinched together such that it raises my shoulders off the bench because I'm lying on them. I've felt like this gives me more ...
0 votes
1 answer
98 views

Elbow Position During Bench Press

I was recently watching some videos on bench press form and most of them told me that my elbows should not go pass my shoulders during the exercise. I don't get it, I see pro bodybuilders do it all ...
5 votes
2 answers
413 views

I have atrophied pectorals. How should I train them ? Pictures

Before I show you my photos taken from different angles, I want to explain how I train. Biological informations AND Diseases I'm a 22.5yo male, 1.70m (67 inches), I think I'm between [20 ; 25]% BF. I ...
2 votes
3 answers
13k views

Incline or Flat Bench First? Dumbbell or Barbell First? Why?

I've been following a weightlifting workout where the chest workout is in this order: barbell incline chest press dumbbell incline chest press barbell flat chest press I've seen incline ...