What?
It's a shorter ROM and you're using less shoulders typically in decline. Are you arching at all when you flat bench?
This. Decline would be more similar to flat bench with excessive arch, for lack of a better analogy.
Nope.
I would give that a shot. There are tons of youtube videos out there on proper technique.
I get why you're recommended incline, but why completely drop flat?
because he is not doing it right- odds are his ROM is not at the curve it needs to be at. secondly, he probably isnt contracting after the negative which is forcing more tri and shoulder to do the actual press.
Agreed, but that's why I recommended he look up proper technique and work on it rather than just completely dropping it.
^^^^This. Incline has done leaps and bound for my chest development and chest strentgh. I added alot to my flat bench just through incline. And to clarify when its chest day i do everything incline, never touch flat or decline at all. Only things for chest i dont do incline are dips, flies and pull overs. I will go months before testing out some flat bench. I use here and there but incline is king from what ive seen. Thats the look!
I know this might be hard to understand but don't completely dismiss strength training. No matter what you're doing you want to be getting stronger. Focus on progressive overload. If you don't want to train in the lower rep ranges that's ok but remember those low heavy reps later translate to heavier weight being moved in hypertrophy rep ranges. Also play around with the rep tempo for your sets. Doing slower reps with lighter weight might help to engage your pecs better
I have trouble engaging the lats. I have to consciously think about it to do it which I'm not always doing
I do, too. At this point, Its all I think about. I'm doing decent enough at everything else at the moment, So lats make or break me. I have to think "straight arm pulldown" on the unrack, "row it into me" on the descent, and "shoulders down into the pad" on the ascent, or I will likely miss or hurt myself.
How's your hand position?
I knew a guy who went over the top (on one side) when re-racking. Wrecked the f*ck out of his shoulder, and was not back in the gym for a LONG time. If your incline has adjustable uprights, take advantage of them.How's your hand position?
I used to have a rough time with heavy incline presses but almost had to bring my hands in like a close grip press to be successful but my shoulders tolerate it ssooo much better. I feel ROM is extremely dependent on the person and keeping an eye on the shoulder is very key like you said. My wingspan can have me go over the top when re-racking
why leave decline alone?
naaa
because there are other chest exercises to increase size and strength.
and yea- less range of motion-
yea there is less rom, but your shoulders are utilized much more with flats, and that why I said naa, I should have explained better, yes there are other things that build mass for chest, but I'm am sure you and me will disagree about declines
to a degree- i would rather do decline db flies, low cable crossovers
Chest dips are really underrated for working the lower chest IMO.
