Does height affect bench abilty?

[69Muscle]

I'm 6'4" and my work out buddy is 5'6" and that little bastard only has to bring the weight down like 4"s for a full rep, while I gotta struggle like 8" to get my elbows to a 90degree (That's how we count a full rep)...

Is it in my mind that I have to bring it down and up more then him? He can barly lift the weight off the bench because he's so damn short while my elbows are bent lifting it off his bench.

Thanks guys.

 

[Bulldog_10]

Well height might have something to do with it...but I think strength has a little more to do with it.

 

[69Muscle]

BAH! Horseshit!

Are you telling me that it's the same for a 6'4" guy to bench 235 then a 5'6" guy to bench 235lbs?

My arms are like 5" longer then his.

Example: when I bring the bar down to my chest and back up it travels a good 2 feet. With him it only travels 1 foot. How is that the same?

 

[Zyglamail]

I think it most definatly done but can be overcome to a degree with genetics (ie insertion points etc). Its all about leverage and for example, lets assume everyones bicep attached to the forwarm at the same place. 20lbs at the end of a 16" long forearm would be much easier to curl than 20lbs hanging out at the end of a 22" forearm.

 

[Bulldog_10]

I was just fuckin around wit ya bro! yeah, i guess it does matter somewhat, since Force= mass X distance.

But i still think strength is the main part of the equation, dont you agree?

 

[69Muscle]

I Agree with strength, but assume both people are of equal strength (there's no real way to tell that) the short person would have an advantage IMO.

 

[LivinLarger]

I am 6'4" and I know what you are talking about. My bench has been very hard to bring up to par with my size. People always assume I can get 400lbs or more but I have only recently broken through 365. It is harder for people with long arms to bench I am sure of that. Why are most of the worlds best benchers trolls?
Look at Anthony Clark. Granted there are a few very strong taller guys out there (greg Kovaks for eg) but I am sure he has very favorable tendon attatchment points to amplify his strength.

 

[chrisoh]

simple as this: short people = shorter arms = easier to move weight with cause it's not as big a distance

 

[genarr3]

The shorter guy obviously has an advantage. This having been said, I've seen some amazing benches from dudes with long arms.

 

[Jeff_rys]

69muscle, strange question since you know the answer yourself...

BAH! Horseshit!

Are you telling me that it's the same for a 6'4" guy to bench 235 then a 5'6" guy to bench 235lbs?

My arms are like 5" longer then his.

Example: when I bring the bar down to my chest and back up it travels a good 2 feet. With him it only travels 1 foot. How is that the same?

It has nothing to do with your height, but the length of your arms.

A guy with short arms will always beat a guy with long arms. That does not mean your buddy if only 5'6 will bench more then Coleman. Because there are other things to consider.

But take 2 guys and none of them is on roids, the shorter guy will always win. Exeptions are making the rule here.