The correct way to bench with DB...

[Advaik]

Is it correct to have your elbows parallel with your arms or should they be slightly curved in or does it not matter?

 

[Advaik]

btw the reason I ask is because if my elbows are parallel to my arms I can not go down that far with the dumbbells, and they get stuck when my arms are parallel to my chest. If I curve my elbows inward I can go down much futher which gives a much greater range to lift the weight and gives a stretch in my chest before I lift it. I'm confused on reach way is the correct way for building more mass.

 

[dmxdmx112v]

Your elbows should be slightly curved inward. Curved elbows is much more natural during the dumbell press.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

the BIGGEST mistake I see guys doing with these is not bottoming them out. if you stop way short (not letting the dumbbells even toush your armpits) you are doing like a half bench which is mostly tris. suck up the ego and lower those bad boys down for a good stretch. Guys that use 105s suddenly cant use 90s when they do it right.

 

[dmxdmx112v]

ur damn right heavy wear....u really gotta stretch the chest out until stretch marks appear

 

[CytoMel]

Also keep your palms facing each othern when you do the presses. It works better that way.

 

[bignate73]

Also keep your palms facing each othern when you do the presses. It works better that way.

hmmm...im not too sure if pronating or supinating the wrists will have an actual effect on the press itself, but if it helps someone control the target muscle better, go for it. since these are all compound movements we each have our goal as to the muscle we are targeting. if its the chest, then use whatever grip allows you to contract through that movement with the target muscle under control. if its the tris, etc.

i feel this is more of an individual thing.

 

[the People's Champ]

should these be done in a fashion with the elbows tight with the body? or with the arms perpendicular to the body? or a little in between?

 

[strong island]

hmmm...im not too sure if pronating or supinating the wrists will have an actual effect on the press itself, but if it helps someone control the target muscle better, go for it. since these are all compound movements we each have our goal as to the muscle we are targeting. if its the chest, then use whatever grip allows you to contract through that movement with the target muscle under control. if its the tris, etc.

i feel this is more of an individual thing.

Lets say you are using 150s...your range of motion is limited because the dumbells hit each other when your hands are 18 inches apart. If you face your wrists you can contract your pecs even further. With the dumbells touching your humeruses will be parallel.

Makes sense..but I still do it the "old school" way.

 

[bignate73]

i see your point there. i used to turn them in, but found my shoulder to be prone/vulnerable to subluxation. so i basically stop where my arms are straight off my shoulders and squeeze.