Over-Emphasizing the Bench Press

[AustinTX]

My question is, why are people so preoccupied with the bench press?

Yeah, I couldn't vote in the poll since right now I'm doing inclines and using DBs for flat press.

I think it's like the quote in someone's sig from Schwartzenegger about the Bicep being the show me the money muscle when people on the street want to see you flex; in the gym it seems to be more pecs (and bis) than anywhere else. People stare at a guy doing 3+ plates on the bench, but if they happen to do calf raises and I walk over and put more plates on I may get a curious look for a sec, but that's it.... Plus the ROM is much more exciting on the bench and he could always drop the bar and strangle himself or something, kinda like watching a car race waiting for the wrecks

 

[Fatty4You]

I start with Incline Barbell Press. Its fantastic. I used to do flat first, and rarely did incline at all. Lately i have noticed serious strength gains on incline. Plus i think my chest looks much fuller than it used to.

As for people's preocupation with bench.... i think its a self-strengthening cycle. I think people like bench at first cause they can see good gains or something, and people enjoy being good at it. Then they are better it than at anything else, which makes them like doing it more than anything else... which goes on and on and on.

But, i love everything in the gym

-Fatty

 

[michaelcoutts]

I think that incline bench presses are alot more gentel on the rotator cuffs compared to the regular flat benchpress.

The flat benchpress just seems to be an unnatural movement for me whereas the incline seems to be alot smoother and fluent.

You're right.
People give me weird looks when i do lifts that have nothing to do with chest or arms, like squats, and deads ("hey what's that you're doin' there")
Train legs and back in my gym?
God forbid.

lol i workout in the school gym sometimes and that is exactly the case. Then they wonder why there shoulders are so hunched forward. "perphaps if i did more benchpresses and bicep curls my shoulders will move backk" lool

 

[Lord_Suston]

I am an advocate of doing incline first since I believe this produces the best pectoral developement for myself... Flat benching I feel is better for the tris and ego....

I can actually flat bench better now after doing inclines than I could previously....

 

[The Architect]

I do flat, incline, and decline every chest workout. This has worked very well for me in my chest development. I think it is the combination of all three that is needed.

 

[TheOak84]

My question is, why are people so preoccupied with the bench press?

i dont know what your talking about... I take every exercise seriously.. but no one seems to care that i do skulls with 135 or Barbell rows with 225 or military 185 for reps in my gym..

if people only care about how much i bench, then ill show it off to them.. they seem to think its easy to do other exercises with heavy weight or something. like benchpress is the hardest most important thing in the world.. i dont sweat it though. if someone asks me how much i benchpress, i just say "More than you ever will", then they seem to shut up... i dunno

 

[solidj55]

Hands down (IMHO) best exercise for chest is the dumbell incline press.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I have been doing inclines first for a little while now. My upper pecs are catching up quickly. Glad Lord Sus suggested the idea to me about 2 months ago.

The "bench press" is the macho bravado like lift for people who do not understand the symmetrical goal of bodybuilding.

 

[beastboy]

I too have given up on flat bench and for that matter and BB bench. I am strictly doing incline dumbell. It does bruise the ego at first, but I had to in order to limit my shoulder pain and not cause any more injuty to it then I already have. Since switching I have noticed a better response my my pecs. I may never flat BB becnh again.

Inlcine, Flys, and Dips. My chest workout.