The Mystery of My Bench Press???

[Brattt]

Am I the only person in the entire world who can wide grip overhand row (with good form) more than they can bench press?

I imagine this means that I'm not using my lats effectively when I bench press?

My weak bench press is driving me nuts.

C

 

[Deciever1]

you may just have weak triceps.

 

[Brattt]

Thats what I had thought may have been my problem.

However, I seem to be 'strong' at skull crushers, compared to my training partner. I'm very close to her at skull crushers, but she is a lot stronger than I at close grip bench press.

Could it just be weak shoulders?

Thanks!
C

 

[natural-mike]

strong at skull crushers vs. strong at bench press is like apples vs. oranges, cats vs. dogs, me vs. George Halbert. Well you get my point. Besides read that old super George said skull crushers didn't do jack for his bench press. Most of his strenght comes from board presses and rack locks, you know the sweet and gushy stuff.

But then again what do I know my bench max is approx. 95 pounds at 230 pound bodyweight.

Later hater,
Natural Mike

 

[spatts]

I agree with the above. I have found that I get the best carry-over when I do accesory work in the same plane as the move (in this case bench). Things like rolling extensions, JM Presses, and close grip barbell pushups. What are you using for accessory work for tris/shoulders/lats?

 

[The mann]

also..where are you failing on the bench??..

 

[Brattt]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

My bench press fails at the bottom position.

Regarding what I do for assistance exercises, I should prolly say that I'm not focused 100% on powerlifting. But I'm looking for any new ideas to increase my bench press. So I'm not doing any of the mentioned accessory exercises, but I'd like to start.

But I'm not yet sure how to do them, I'll have to check the Westside site.

I've been doing close grip bench press, and wide overhand rows, for exercises in the same plane as bench.

Plus I don't have dynamic/maximal effort type split, nor does my gym have a power rack.

Thanks!

C

 

[erickthegreat11]

No, same here. I can do my 1RM for reps on rows.

 

[natural-mike]

Yeah because you have momentum, I dont care how strict your form is, your still using a bit of momentum with yoru legs to hitch the weigth up. When your benching, your flat on the bench, you have no momentum.

Try doing chest supported barbell rows with legs up somehow, see what you get then, obviously your back may be stronger than yoru chest but you wont be repping out.

trust me on this.

 

[erickthegreat11]

In my case, this was using a shitty machine with cheap cables. That is, you have to put 10-20# on it just to make it go back down!!! Who knows about a good machine.