for those who preach incline use for chest, what are your reasons why?

[JOKER47]

I have a theory I like to throw out. Is it possible that incline presses assist in giving the illusion that the upper pecs are more developed because they also develop the front delts?
From these two pictures, they are very close to each other. If both areas were well developed, it seems to me that the upper chest would stand out more and give the look of the "superman" chest. (I think I heard it called that one time.)

http://www.exrx.net/Muscles/DeltoidAnterior.html
http://www.exrx.net/Muscles/PectoralisClavicular.html

Again, this is just a thought that I have had for a while and thought I would throw it out.

Opinions are appreciated, flames are not.


Regards,
Joker

 

[Calypso]

I have noticed that people who do mostly incline work seem to have less balance to the shoulders, with fronts overdeveloped in
regards to the side and rear.

 

[Calypso]

...you should read up on MRI research.....

How is that changing basic anatomy?

Someone who is just focusing on inclines or declines, while they may be a big strong guy, are not really getting the full benefit of training chest, and while they may argue this because they have an awesome chest, I would argue that it would look that much better. Similar to an athlete who is considered fast at 4.6 in the 40, but if he trained differently may run a 4.4. No one will say the 4.6 guy is slow, but obviously the 4.4 guy is a step above.

 

[Bullit]

I have a theory I like to throw out. Is it possible that incline presses assist in giving the illusion that the upper pecs are more developed because they also develop the front delts?
From these two pictures, they are very close to each other. If both areas were well developed, it seems to me that the upper chest would stand out more and give the look of the "superman" chest. (I think I heard it called that one time.)

I think you could be on to something.

 

[b fold the truth]

Why do I do inclines?

2 Reasons

1) They carry over to my overhead pressing strength.
2) They work my chest a lot.

B True

 

[110%]

well i mean u always see posts on here saying flat bench is an ego exercise dont do it instead do incline bench, but really wouldnt flat bench put more emphasis on the pectorials than incline so y is this always said.

 

[Lord_Suston]

Well personally I know the rib cage is not flat, henc the insertions and origins are not really fully stretched at flat bench press, only thge lower pec, but not the upper. The main reason I do inclines is to shock my body and gain some power....

 

[Calypso]

but really wouldnt flat bench put more emphasis on the pectorials than incline so y is this always said.

yes that is true. inclines may be of some small benefit when trained at a low angle and lightly. just go in the mirror and simulate doing dumbell presses flat, squeezing your pecs together, and then change the angle of your arms and simulate
doing an incline dumbell press squeezing your pecs together.
you will feel how much more deep full stimulation the flat movement gives you. and again this will very by a persons symmetry, the more asymmetry the more a different movement may help you.

i agree with louden, someone with a more stockier barrel type chest may get more of a benefit when training an incline movement, while someone with a little flatter sleeker build probably would get nothing out of them, and flats would work the
pecs fully

 

[louden_swain]

The fact of the matter is that bench press movements work different for everyone. Most likely, short guys can get away with performing only bench presses. It seems that most taller guys favor inclines (including myself). Don't get me wrong, when I was in high school I was an avid bench presser, but soon my pectoral development was lacking. When I reached college I dumped the bench press and started to incline like mad. I am happy with the changes, as I have no desire to turn back.

 

[coolcolj]

most of my current chest developement has been from doing mainly inclines, I started added flat benches to mid chest a few weeks back.

They both feel totally different. I get more direct chest feel with inclines, with some trap. Flat benches seems to be more shoulder and triceps to me with some pec thrown in.