Posted by Thomas on December 17, 2005, 9:13 pm, in reply to "Proper Bench Form (elbows 90* vs Bar to chest)?"
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I know that a lot of people say to come down to your chest but it was for Olympic bench press. Most of the time these guys are so barrel chested that they needed to set a standard for rep.
That being said if you watch your contraction you'll see where the chest stops working. For instance, contract your pec and with your other hand position fingers just around the upper pec and armpit. Holding the contraction, ease your arm back as if you are doing a bench press... you should feel the muscle cease contraction after your arm passes the shoulder line. This is the reason "olympic" BPs tends to put unwanted tension on the rotator cuff and shoulder in general. Keep this in mind as your shoulders are used in pretty much every upper body exercise (at least to some extent). Is it worth the risk? Some swear by it... others... not so much. I'd say to only go until your contraction ends... that's the cue that the BP isn't doing anything more for that muscle. Hope that helps.
Thomas
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