Correlation between Incline and Flat bench weights.

[RusPA81]

I was just wondering what you guys use on incline as compared to flat bench when do it as your first exercise?

 

[louden_swain]

I have always been stronger on flat pressing in comparison to inclines.

I have always been about 75 to 80 percent of what I can use on flat presses (make sense?). However, I always prioritize incline presses.

I have heard of cases where a persons incline is stronger than their flats. . .they must have immense shoulder strength.

 

[RusPA81]

I have heard of cases where a persons incline is stronger than their flats. . .they must have immense shoulder strength.

I'd bet. Thats pretty strange. I just prioritizing incline 2 weeks. At my strongest on flat I was up to 360 for 5x5 on flat. I did 275 on incline today which was pretty, but I wanted to start low since I am not used to starting with incline. I am hopeful to get great gains with incline though and there definately less stress on my rotators too.

 

[louden_swain]

I'd bet. Thats pretty strange. I just prioritizing incline 2 weeks. At my strongest on flat I was up to 360 for 5x5 on flat. I did 275 on incline today which was pretty, but I wanted to start low since I am not used to starting with incline. I am hopeful to get great gains with incline though and there definately less stress on my rotators too.

Interesting. . .

Lets say you can handle 360lbs for 5 reps on flat presses

What do you think you can handle on inclines for 5 reps (estimated)?

I would like to start working on flat presses again, but I need to work on my technique. The standard bodybuilding technique that I use does not work well with really heavy weights.

Starting low on incline is a good idea. . .you can practice and get the form down. Eventually, you can progress to heavier weights. . .there is plenty of time for that.

 

[RusPA81]

Interesting. . .

Lets say you can handle 360lbs for 5 reps on flat presses

What do you think you can handle on inclines for 5 reps (estimated)?

I would like to start working on flat presses again, but I need to work on my technique. The standard bodybuilding technique that I use does not work well with really heavy weights.

Starting low on incline is a good idea. . .you can practice and get the form down. Eventually, you can progress to heavier weights. . .there is plenty of time for that.

I am not sure. Right now I would say somewhere around 285 right now. I would think in a few weeks when I get used to the movement my ratio should improve. I would imagine that going back to flats after not doing them for a while would be hard as well and thus it would take a while to get used. I have heard of people who returned to flats after doing inclines who have a stronger flat then before the switch.

 

[louden_swain]

If this is the case, you are in the same ball park as I.

If you can use 360lbs on flat press for 5 reps, and possibly 285lbs on incline for 5 reps, you are able to use 79 percent of the weight you can use on flat presses.

This seems normal to me.