I hate flat barbell benching!

[BigRedCat]

I seem to be the only man on the planet that dislikes this exercise. I have been doing flat or incline DB presses on the 5x5 program but I figure there really is no way around the barbell bench. I cannot do as much weight with the DB so I guess I have to break down and just do them. I have been using 70 or 80 pd DB and they are a bitch to get into place to bench them anyway but that has been helping my strength. I need motivation to do barbell benching!. That is all I see the guys in my gym ever doing- that and pulley crossovers.

 

[Legion Kreinak]

I hate the barbell bench as well, but for different reasons. I don't want bitch-tits. Heh, but according to everyone else, they don't give you that. Why exactly don't you like benching with a bar?

 

[BigRedCat]

Well I definately dont want bitch tits! lol. I just dont like it because I dont really "feel" the movement like I do with DB. I am not really even sure what weight I should be using on barbell to work with. I am doing the 5x5 so fairly heavy I guess. I doubt I will grow much with the DB so I really have no choice but to start liking it.

 

[Legion Kreinak]

Yeah, I never really feel it in my chest as much as I do my arms when I bench any weight. I sometimes wonder if it's even a chest workout. =P

 

[BigRedCat]

Yeah that is how I feel too.

 

[Legion Kreinak]

Of course I don't need to worry about getting my chest bigger or anything, just reducing the slight extra BF I have, and then train mainly my legs and abs. My arms I will continue to train with a low weight, 12 reps n 3 sets always to maintain whatever gains I have. All because of martial arts. I don't plan on bulking really ever because of hindering my 4ft vert leap. I been trying to rech 3 ft with 20lb ankle weights, it's really a stretch but I might be able to reach it soon. I wonder if I should do bench anymore, since I have no really reason to increase my chest for the arts, do I? Wonder if anyone can give me feedback on that...

 

[BigRedCat]

I would disagree. Look at the majority of UFC fighters- they are all pretty big guys. Unless you get freaky big you wont hinder your martial arts capability. When I trained Ninjutsu(ninpo) my sensai was a big fucker, he lifted to get as big as possible. power+flexibilty+size+speed=destruction of your opponent.

 

[jeremys]

legion, i would train bench as you would have more strength if you did. but train with good form..i couldnt imagine being in a martial art with a bad rotator cuff

 

[Legion Kreinak]

Yeah, I also use relatively lightweight so I doubt I'll screw up my cuffs. Wide-grip (lil more than shoulder), slowly lower to upper chest (sometimes neck) and raise. All at a steady pace, I'm easily able to complete my 3 sets and 12 reps. Then I follow with inclined flies at 30 lbs. Not much, but hell I don't care. I'm not going for size.

 

[jeremys]

i would bring the bar down lower on your chest...