Benchpres. Lats v. Chest.

[spatts]

I can't believe I am reading this from such an educated group of bodybuilders!

Bodybuilders...Blasphemy.

I have an article on IGF use/breakdown in bench effort from the Journal of Applied Physiology to back my claim.

The last major study done on this was by Barnet in 1995, and he later admited that the only reason more energy was produced by the pecs was becuse it was a larger muscle. Sure you use your chest when you bench. The way MOST people bench, it's MOSTLY pec, like you said. The way a PL benches, it's not. We can't help it that most people bench wrong.

Oh, and I think you mean "biomechanically."

 

[Twitched]

He thinks I'm an idiot for thinking that lats are doing the work when they are not "biomechanically designed" to do that work, whereas chest is (or so he feels). - shrug -

 

[spatts]

We're talking about a college kid, that's in to BB...what are the chances that he's benching correctly? In his gym...in his world, they probably DO bench with their pecs and shoulders. I see 99% of the guys at the "gym" doing it that way.

Hey, he uses optimum 100% whey, thinks MuscleTech sucks, and listens to RATM...cut him some slack.

 

[spatts]

From Dave Tate's 12 Step Program:

You see, I train at Westside Barbell, which is renowned for producing world-caliber strength athletes. I've been a part of this group since 1990. Before that, I had spent five years stuck at a 1955 pound total in powerlifting. Then I tore my right pectoralis major tendon while trying to bench 500 at a bench press competition. I figured that was the end of competition days and thought about retiring from the sport. Then I thought to myself, retire from what? I haven't done anything yet!


I knew I had two options: I could keep training the way I always had and totally fall apart, or I could move to Columbus to train under the watchful eye of Louie Simmons. It wasn't that difficult of a decision. After the surgery I packed the car and moved to Columbus. That was over 10 years ago. Since then, my lifts have increased to a 935-pound squat, 585-pound bench and a 740-pound deadlift. This was after my surgeon told me I'd never bench over 400 again!

 

[b fold the truth]

I'd say Hannibal is so full of crap that he can barely walk with stilts on...but he is right. It doesn't make sense...but it is correct.

I thought that I knew how to bench press...and I was wrong for a very long time. The bench press uses very little chest at all...very little.

Gonna break out the popcorn and watch this one unfold...lol

B True

 

[Screwball]

If you are benching like a bodybuilder (i.e. elbows out at 90 degrees to the body and bar touching at the upper chest) then I believe that you are using the chest to a much greater degree. However, if you are using proper benching technique for maximum weight like a powerlifter ( i.e. elbows tucked, shoulder blades pinched, low on the chest or the upper abs, etc...) then your lats and upper back are used to a greater degree then the chest. If you can't learn how to use your back muscles when benching then you will never maximize your strength. Big lats and big upper back muscles equals a big bench.

 

[Hannibal]

I thought that I knew how to bench press...and I was wrong for a very long time. The bench press uses very little chest at all...very little.

DAVE TATE QUOTE:

"First, most powerlifters do very little chest work while bodybuilders do a ton of chest work. If bench press poundage equated to chest strength, then the powerlifters would be weak off the chest and bodybuilders would be weak at the top. "

http://www.testosterone.net/articles/180press.html

 

[spatts]

If you are benching like a bodybuilder (i.e. elbows out at 90 degrees to the body and bar touching at the upper chest) then I believe that you are using the chest to a much greater degree. However, if you are using proper benching technique for maximum weight like a powerlifter ( i.e. elbows tucked, shoulder blades pinched, low on the chest or the upper abs, etc...) then your lats and upper back are used to a greater degree then the chest. If you can't learn how to use your back muscles when benching then you will never maximize your strength. Big lats and big upper back muscles equals a big bench.

Exactly...

This is why the guys at the gym are struggling to eek out 225-315, and improve SO slowly. They will NEVER know what they're capable of. There's a group of very dedicated "bodybuilders" at my gym that struggle through 225, and think 315 is a big deal. 315 is my December goal, and I'm a 180 pound woman. They should be able to bench TWICE what I do, but they bench like bodybuilders.

 

[b fold the truth]

I urge everyone not to debate with Hannibal. Notice that he rarely ever gives his opinion...he presents facts. Hannibal is one strong man himself too...hard to argue with him.

Wait...wait...someone please do argue with Hannibal...but it will be a short lived battle...

B True

 

[Hannibal]

I urge everyone not to debate with Hannibal. Notice that he rarely ever gives his opinion...he presents facts. Hannibal is one strong man himself too...hard to argue with him.

Wait...wait...someone please do argue with Hannibal...but it will be a short lived battle...

B True

Actually truth be told I am a weak little bitch...my mind is much stronger than my body at this point...but the body is catching up.