IS bench pressing worth it??

[juiceddreadlocks]

where do you guys put dips in your workout, at the beginning or end or what? And what sets and reps does everyone do?

 

[JP@Ironology]

Keeping the elbows tucked in when benching makes it more of a tricep exercise. You can lift more weight, but it'll hit the chest less. Then again, most guys are just interested in lifting more weight.

Dips should not be deep, nor do they need to be to work chest.

Bench Presses are completely unnecessary. But I understand why people like to do them.

And by the way, sit-ups aren't that great either.

Why are bench presses completely unnecessary.

I do not understand why you would say such a thing?

Yes, you can develop the chest without doing barbell bench press; at the same token you can develop quads without doing barbell free-weight squats. Does that mean squats are unnecessary?

Remember people take different paths to get from point A to B.

By the way, lifters have hurt their shoulders doing weighted-dips too!

 

[Nelson Montana]

Silient. Lighten up on the "Moronic" bullshit. If you disagree, fine. But I know what I'm talking about and I believe people should talk to each other respectfully.
Capisce?

Of course benching will work. Anything will work. But when something is so potentially damaging and other exercises work just as well, if not better, there's no need to do it. If you want to do some just for variety that's okay but way too many guys fall in love with it, thinking it's the ultimate chest developer. Ask 10 guys over the age of 35 who have shoulder problems (and there are plenty) and I'll bet 9 of them will say they fucked them up doing benches.

Dips only strees the shoulders when at the bottom position, which as I stated, should not be done.

 

[the mechanic]

Silient. Lighten up on the "Moronic" bullshit. If you disagree, fine. But I know what I'm talking about and I believe people should talk to each other respectfully.
Capisce?

Of course benching will work. Anything will work. But when something is so potentially damaging and other exercises work just as well, if not better, there's no need to do it. If you want to do some just for variety that's okay but way too many guys fall in love with it, thinking it's the ultimate chest developer. Ask 10 guys over the age of 35 who have shoulder problems (and there are plenty) and I'll bet 9 of them will say they fucked them up doing benches.

Dips only strees the shoulders when at the bottom position, which as I stated, should not be done.

I have to agree with you on this reply...39 and shoulder problems from going heavy when younger. My chest is by far better now from having to force myself to do other exercises.
I have to admit though, I do see some bros with great chests and it is about the only exercise they use.

 

[tonytonytony]

regardless of what it does, its still my favorite lift, miltary press second.

 

[Juice Authority]

do you guys who just lift for bodybuilding purposes like benching? i know that it is a must if you are a power lifter, but that i am not. I'm wondering what some of you armor plated chest guys do for chest exercises, and if you are fans of the almighty bench press.

Interesting you bring this topic up. I was in the gym the other day on the bench throwing up on 3 wheels for reps when a fitness trainer approached me and offered his unsolicited advise. He said that the bench is the most "ineffective" exercise for the chest. I was little taken back by this so I thought I'd hear him out.

He started by giving me a little history on the bench press in that it was originally designed by a football many many years for offensive lineman. He then told me that the bench put a tremendous amount of stress on the shoulders and triceps (no shit) and that it didn't hit the origin and insertion of the muscle in the chest. He took over to this pulley machine made by "free motion", which is similar to the Bowflex you've probably seen on those infomercials. After going through this workout I began to see his point.

 

[ceo]

Im only 30 and Ive fucked up my shoulders going too heavy on benches and too low on dips in the past. Had a nice chest, but now I wish I'd have done it differently. But I go liter on presses and not so low on dips, and I rarely if ever do flat or decline presses.

 

[fallenangel]

i think benching is essential but i agree with nelson on the importance of dips leaning forward, my chest has improved no end since i started doing dips. but like i said i feel benching is also needed

 

[nuh_mizer]

You guys who don't bench are weird.

 

[crsnavet]

My pecs are what I have the most problems develping. I already have shoulder problems. I just began my first true bulk cycle 10 days ago, primarily because I am unhappy with my pec development. For all you "non" benchers, what do you suggest to build my pecs on this cycle?