Should I bench press? If so, why?

[makedah]

This is something I've been mulling for months. I bench press because I feel like I "should" and because it is the most challenging of the big moves for me. But I wonder if my time would be better spent doing other moves.

Reasons not to bench:

1. I don't want to compete in BB or PL. (I lift because I enjoy it and because I want to be stronger and more muscular.)

2. My breasts cover my pecs (except for the clavicular head), so any aesthetic reasons for developing my pecs are all but nil.

3. I don't know how it benefits me to have especially strong pecs.
I'd love to be educated on this one. BTW: I bench PL style, so although it hits my chest, it's not the same as the way a BB bench does.

 

[b fold the truth]

Hmmm...you bring up good points. I don't really do the bench press to have a big bench press or to build big pecs... I train the bench press in a manner in which gives me strength/growth in the other major muscles that I need for my sport. The standard WSB DE day is all that I do for flat bench...then I do some inclines...

You raise really good points though...but I personally think that it is something that should be done by most everyone because of how it can develop the entire upper body. If done properly I think that it can develop (in any manner that you choose) the upper body nicely... I just can't see trading anything else in its place...

B True

 

[casualbb]

There really is no reason to do bench press unless you compete in powerlifting. In fact I'd say that potential rotator cuff issues are a reason NOT to bench.

If you're open to suggestion, chest dips rule.

 

[Zander1983]

If I had a dip station at home I would do a lot less flat pressing than I currently do.

 

[FatRat]

I agree its an interesting question, but I think you guys have it right in that you would want some sort of compound pushing movement that strengthens most of the upper body in there somewhere.

For a rounded physic, I would suggest one of either dips, flat or incline press, and perhaps in your case go for the incline to bring some nice shape and strength to the upper chest / shoulders.

I guess the question is that because you can’t see a muscle, should you not train it? I would advise against purposely developing a weak spot. Creating an imbalance is asking for trouble, and does not seem like a sensible long term plan.

 

[coolcolj]

I no longer bench anymore, at least not with a barbell.

I don't enjoy it, and it makes me tight.

 

[pwr_machine]

Creating an imbalance is asking for trouble, and does not seem like a sensible long term plan.

You beat me to the point. Imbalance creates injury!

 

[bigstve12]

as long as you still incorporate another compound chest movement, dips, incline, db's, id say it would be ok then to not bench. I personally love benching and will never give it up

 

[makedah]

What, no one recommended the pec deck?

I do have a creaky rotator cuff (right side) that I've rehabbed and continue to 'prehab.' I was under the impression that dips were baaaaad for rotator cuffs. They certainly make me wince when I see them done.

So, can someone give me the biomechanics (in laywoman's terms) of the pecs - what do they help me do? That will help me as I rework my chest/upper body routine.

Excellent point about imbalance. I do want some kind of pushing move (it comes in handy when I move furniture around the house). I was thinking pushups instead of bench press. B, or other Strongpeople, anything "eccentric" you can think of for pushing strength for someone who isn't very strong yet?

I'm not lifting just for aesthetics, so please don't think that I don't want to strengthen what I can't see (the pecs under my breasts). It just seems to me that a lot of pec work is done to acheive bigger pecs, not for strength or physical balance per se, but in pursuit of a notion of an 'ideal physique.'

Cool Col J - are you saying that your Oly lifts take care of your chest for you? Or that you don't care as much about chest?

Well, today is "bench day" on the calendar, so I've got some quick decisions to make before I head for the gym in a few minutes.

 

[PancakeFiend]

you can always try dumbells, they feel more natural and you don't have to rack and unrack the weight, which i think hurts your rotator cuffs, but anyways if you want pushing strength then a strong chest, shoulders, and triceps are what you need and bench press does is the best for that...