Are Declines Necessary To Build A Great Chest???

[Texas Ranger]

Fellas, in YOUR opinion, do you think the Decline Press(Barbell & Dumbbell) is necessary to buld a great chest? Yes?? Or No??

 

[quadkilla31]

I never do declines and have no problems here. I just do plenty on flats and inclines with db's and bb's. I don't think there neccessary to build a good chest.

 

[bignate73]

not particularly. the difference, however, between declines and flat for me is small. as are the cosmetic effects of the 2 also. IMO

Can you do dips? I feel like declines are unnatural, dips feel more comfortable. then again thats my opinion.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Id say not necessary. I havent done them in years. Just inclines and flats (barbell). Lots of sets to failure. I do flies and hammer strength machines sometimes too, to finish off. But incline and flat benches are the meat of my chest routines.

 

[big4life]

I think that inclines are more important than declines. I do declines, but I also do inclines, and flat db press.

 

[anthrax]

not particularly. the difference, however, between declines and flat for me is small. as are the cosmetic effects of the 2 also. IMO

Can you do dips? I feel like declines are unnatural, dips feel more comfortable. then again thats my opinion.

Dips would be awsome if they didn't put so much stress on the rotator cuff

 

[DanielMacKeigan0101]

I don't think they're totally necessary, IMO. That being said, I do them all the time because they're one of my favorite exercises. I think my lower chest is very strong because I can decline press more than I can on flat bench, which to me seems strange. I also do a lot of dips, I really like those. Of course, I also do the standard flat and incline bench. I also do swiss ball incline/decline push-ups, they're a great exercise. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

[Schutzhund1]

I prefer dips to decline but to answer your question, no I don't think that decline bench is necessary to build a great chest.

 

[Dial_tone]

unless you're turning pro you don't need that much detail.

 

[njlw226]

i read a study on here somewhere that proved that flat bench works the lower chest just as efficient as decline. so my guess would be no, it is not important.

 

[Madcow2]

Absolutely not.

 

[Synpax]

Needsize has a great chest and I think he's a pro. He does flat bench, incline bench, and inc. flies. No decline.

 

[Lee]

do Dips, they rock your chest.

 

[eat big]

I think that inclines are more important than declines. I do declines, but I also do inclines, and flat db press.

exact same thing here man

 

[view]

these 4 exercises are all you need:

incline press
flat press
leaning forward dips
a flye motion -- flat or incline(keep in mind one of the functions of the chest is to bring to arms across the body)

mix and match these, go for bb or db, whatevs, and your set.

 

[needsize]

Needsize has a great chest and I think he's a pro. He does flat bench, incline bench, and inc. flies. No decline.

I'm definitely not a pro, but my chest is definitely one of my standout parts, very well shaped, and I have never gotten into declines, flat seems to do the trick for me, followed by lots of incline work

 

[SlavikHavik]

Id say no.
I think all you really need is flat bench and low bodyfat.

 

[cwick0]

not particularly. the difference, however, between declines and flat for me is small. as are the cosmetic effects of the 2 also. IMO

Can you do dips? I feel like declines are unnatural, dips feel more comfortable. then again thats my opinion.

agree, agree, and agree again.

 

[yomama]

unless you're turning pro you don't need that much detail.

depends on how his overall chest develpment looks

 

[Steve The Bluesman]

Fellas, in YOUR opinion, do you think the Decline Press(Barbell & Dumbbell) is necessary to buld a great chest? Yes?? Or No??

I don't think so. Dips are what I do for the lower chest. Low reps, hook a DB at your ankles.

Bluesman

 

[mad_monkey59]

I never liked declines. After dropping them for heavy dips, I never looked back... no they are not necessary at all.

 

[InTraining]

No I don't think declines are necessary. Most people have overdeveloped lower pecs anyways, compared to the upper and middle portions.

I think Arnold said " you can never have too much upper chest". Focusing on inclines vs. flat bench will create a greater illusion of size by getting more development in the upper area.

 

[dfi]

Dips are great for the lower chest. But being paranoid and not wanting to miss out on anything I still do declines!

 

[shaun]

I don't think they're totally necessary, IMO. That being said, I do them all the time because they're one of my favorite exercises. I think my lower chest is very strong because I can decline press more than I can on flat bench, which to me seems strange. I also do a lot of dips, I really like those. Of course, I also do the standard flat and incline bench. I also do swiss ball incline/decline push-ups, they're a great exercise. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

it is natural to be able to decline press a lot more weight because this exercise recruits your lats. ( my 2 cents )

 

[theironclan]

No! I have done maybe 3 sets of decline in my life. They are unnecessary IMO.