Flat Barbell Bench

[mark mcgwire]

This may be an old topic we've discussed here but are there many of us that have completely dropped flat barbell presses from the chest workout?? I've been slowly moving away from it over the last year or so and I haven't done it at all in a few months. My shoulders feel great (knock on wood) and my strength is as good as it's ever been.

[jaywooly]

I still do it from time to time but I have the feeling I'm not going to be allowed to soon enough.

[BigWilly]

haven't done them in over a year, and I don't think I ever will again.

and yes, my shoulders feel the best they have in years.

[SuperSport]

It is probably my fav exercise...I use it as a barometer for how the rest of my program is going-diet, supps, rest, etc.

I have never had any physiological problems with flat BB, but I know many do.

[benz0118]

Haven't done them in over a year. Hurt my shoulder on the flat bench 3 years ago when starting out. Instinctively went to incline dumbbells and slowly weaned off the flat. I will do inclines, declines, dips, and hammer strength. I'm stronger than ever, as is my shoulders.

[Heckman]

I can't remember the last time I did flats with BB. Maybe that explains the lack of problems with my shoulders as well!

[Ken Skip Hill]

DC is going to shoot me but here goes:

I personally think that if you do the bench press CORRECTLY it is a very good exercise. The key is correctly and I would bet that 80% of guys do NOT do it correctly. This is what is leading to all of the shoulder injuries.

I currently do use them but have backed off from them because there is this "fear" in the back of my mind as the weights go up. I have heard so many horror stories and have been told so many times that "it is a matter of time". However, I have been training for 20 years and I have not had any problems benching, ever.

Now, when I train with DC in the offseason this year, I am going to leave them out per his advice simply because I anticipate my poundages going up so quickly that it will probably make me uncomfortable with the thought of possibly injuring something. If something happened, I would never hear the end of it from all of you guys and certainly from DC. lol

Skip

[SuperSport]

Ditto Skip-If done correctly flat BB is a great excercise

[BigWilly]

I think it is more than just performing it correctly...

It is a combination of performing it correctly and just that some people have a structure more suitable for getting the benefits from flat BB press.

For me, I'm 5'9" but my arms are as long as someone a lot taller than me. So flat BB press just puts my shoulders in a bad position. And it seems as though my shoulder joints take on a lot of the stress and my pecs get the secondary stress.

I don't know if I'm explaining this so that you all will understand what I'm trying to say...but does it make any sense?

[In-Human]

mark, I have not Flatted in 15 years, I have had too many Rotator problems, but I love Declines and Inclines, and I have never been so strong with my chest as I have training with DC.

As per what Skip said with the lbs going up very high, Flat just is not in the cards with me.

But DC has pointed out to many a poster that if you must insist on doing Flat DBs or BB Bench you keep the reps higher at 15-30 r/p...

[mark mcgwire]

BW - I'm in a similar situation as you. When I flat BB bench my shoulder seems to feel the bulk of the weight versus my chest. It maybe that I was doing them wrong years ago and hurt my shoulder because of it. Nevertheless, if I want to train without pain and get a great chest workout I need to use DB's.

SS - I wish I could do them with a heavier weight but that's where I start getting pain, it feels like my shoulders are taking over.

Oh well, maybe once in a while I could go real light for high reps.

[BigWilly]

Originally posted by mark mcgwire
BW - I'm in a similar situation as you. When I flat BB bench my shoulder seems to feel the bulk of the weight versus my chest. It maybe that I was doing them wrong years ago and hurt my shoulder because of it. Nevertheless, if I want to train without pain and get a great chest workout I need to use DB's.

I do incline BB press and that seems to be working great for me.

I also do incline DB press, and very slight decline DB flyes.

That's about all I do for chest anymore, maybe some cable xovers for finishing movement once in a while or precontest.

btw, my chest has developed more in the last year than in the previous 3 yrs. it seems...

[ripdtashredz]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Skip
[B]DC is going to shoot me but here goes:



I currently do use them but have backed off from them because there is this "fear" in the back of my mind as the weights go up. I have heard so many horror stories and have been told so many times that "it is a matter of time". However, I have been training for 20 years and I have not had any problems benching, ever.

That is funny skip i always feared that i would injure a shoulder or something and sure as sh*t 3 weeks ago i completely tore my left pec and had surgery. It wasnt from incorrect form, just one of those days that i was to strong for my own good and i got to 495 and ripped it right off. The only good thing is that it will come back stronger in the long run.

[jaywooly]

Originally posted by ripdtashredz


That is funny skip i always feared that i would injure a shoulder or something and sure as sh*t 3 weeks ago i completely tore my left pec and had surgery. It wasnt from incorrect form, just one of those days that i was to strong for my own good and i got to 495 and ripped it right off. The only good thing is that it will come back stronger in the long run.

Holy Crap Bro!!! Damn, actually lately I've heard more of torn pec injuries than shoulder ones.

How long are you going to be out?

[BiggerStronger]

Ouch....Now a days I do much more Incline work then flat. My shoulder feel very stressed....and its becoming more and more uncomfortable the more I do flat.