Bench Presses, How deep?

[the_paradise_garage]

Ok I searched for this info but found nothing
my gym instructor told me to do bench press just going down til my arms are on a 90° angle... but, i have seen some guys going lower and some guys even hitting their chest while doing this...
what do you guys think is better?

 

[sysopt]

Depends on how long your arms are and depends how big your torso is. Even if you have long arms and a smaller torso, I think you could go a little below parallel.

 

[Freak Show]

It also depends on if you have a preexisting shoulder problem. In that case I would stop at 90 deg. or at least fold up some towels and place em on your chest. If you don't have shoulder problems, I say use a fuller range of motion and touch your chest.

 

[muscledog95]

To prevent bouncing try going all the way down but dont touch the chest. Hits the chest,trics, and shoulders hard

 

[theoak01]

i touch my chest but dont bounce

 

[Ingram]

The bar should touch your chest (touch not bounce). The only reason one would not bring the bar all the way to the chest is if he/she has a shoulder problem. You can only train so much in one day, you might as well train properly.

 

[The mann]

i say bring the bar to your chest but touch a little lower .....if you are touching high on your chest your shoulders rotate more and you feel pain when you have a injury..i have fucked up both shoulders so i had to change my form and it was for the better.i bring the bar below my nipple and pain is ALOT less.i definately would touch my chest with the bar...check form as i stated and see if that helps........

 

[muscledog95]

I touch my chest as well, ive just experiemented and it seems a lot harder to go all the way down but not touching the chest. Just my experience

 

[riskybizz007]

it depends on how my shoulder feels. If it's ok i go all the way down, but usually just an inch or 2 above the chest. If shoulder hurts i'll go down about 5" before i hit my chest. Feels a lot better doing it that way, but a lot more difficult going heavy.

 

[the_paradise_garage]

I know! i can lift a lot more when i just do it 90°