Decline Press?

The Crow wrote:
> Hi.
> What is the importance of the decline bench press in particular? Is it
> vital? I've found a bench I like, at a good price, but it only does incline
> to flat, it doesn't decline. Is this a major disadvantage?

No. It's probably an advantage: the bench will have fewer micro wobbles
when you're benching heavilly. That was something that I didn't like
about my flat/incline/decline bench even with everything tightened up
exceptionally well.

> It also says
> that it will go to 'nearly' ninety degrees for military press. I wonder how
> far off ninety it is, and how much of an issue it might be if there's not a
> perfect right angle in the seating. Any advice welcome.

You don't need back support for military presses, and having it at 90
degrees means that only your shoulder blades will contact the bench and
your hips and back will be well forward of the backrest, unless you're a
famine victim.


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

The Crow wrote:

> Hi.
> What is the importance of the decline bench press in particular? Is it
> vital? I've found a bench I like, at a good price, but it only does incline
> to flat, it doesn't decline. Is this a major disadvantage? It also says
> that it will go to 'nearly' ninety degrees for military press. I wonder how
> far off ninety it is, and how much of an issue it might be if there's not a
> perfect right angle in the seating. Any advice welcome.
>
>

Military press: stand on your feet and hold the barbell in your hands.

Bench: flat bench is fine.

About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is of no
great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the incline
is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?

About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support during
the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I try
to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much from
my lower back and midsection.

In article <[email protected]>,
"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:

> About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is of no
> great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the incline
> is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
> comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>
> About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support during
> the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I try
> to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much from
> my lower back and midsection.
>
>

Do you do core work?

If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
shoulders in one movement?

--
Keith

In article <[email protected]>,
"Steve Freides" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
> > of no great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that
> > the incline is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline
> > and flat are comparatively much more important than the decline. Is
> > this correct?
> >
> > About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
> > during the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower
> > back. I try to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am
> > deriving too much from my lower back and midsection.
>
> There is nothing wrong with working your lower back and midsection in a
> military press. Just try not to lean back because it can be hard on
> your lower back - tightening the glutes can help.

OR...

Do the Russian press. Tighten the abdominals as much as possible, lean
back, use hip flexion to start the bar and drive it overhead with the
shoulders.

There is nothing intrinisically bad about leaning back.

--
Keith

"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is of
>> no
>> great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
>> incline
>> is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
>> comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>>
>> About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
>> during
>> the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
>> try
>> to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
>> from
>> my lower back and midsection.
>>
>>
>
> Do you do core work?
>
> If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
> opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
> shoulders in one movement?
>
> --
I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any of my
other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement isn't
the end of the world?

In article <[email protected]>,
"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is of
> >> no
> >> great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
> >> incline
> >> is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
> >> comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
> >>
> >> About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
> >> during
> >> the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
> >> try
> >> to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
> >> from
> >> my lower back and midsection.
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Do you do core work?
> >
> > If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
> > opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
> > shoulders in one movement?
> >
> > --
> I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any of my
> other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement isn't
> the end of the world?
>
>
I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!

Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.

So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
one movement! Sounds like good training to me.

--
Keith

"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Steve Freides" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> > About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline
>> > is
>> > of no great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think
>> > that
>> > the incline is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the
>> > incline
>> > and flat are comparatively much more important than the decline.
>> > Is
>> > this correct?
>> >
>> > About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back
>> > support
>> > during the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my
>> > lower
>> > back. I try to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am
>> > deriving too much from my lower back and midsection.
>>
>> There is nothing wrong with working your lower back and midsection in
>> a
>> military press. Just try not to lean back because it can be hard on
>> your lower back - tightening the glutes can help.
>
> OR...
>
> Do the Russian press. Tighten the abdominals as much as possible, lean
> back, use hip flexion to start the bar and drive it overhead with the
> shoulders.
>
> There is nothing intrinisically bad about leaning back.

I agree with what you've said but want to add a couple of minor points.
First, as you say in another message, you do have to lean back at least
a little to get the bar past your face or, as you say, you're just
trying to move the bar in an unnatural groove. I count this as a good
argument for pressing two dumbbells or kettlebells, or one dumbbell or
kettlebell for that matter, overhead.

Second, the Olympic press wasn't a strict press but there is value in
strict pressing, yet another reason to try it with dumbbells or
kettlebells. And the shoulder work is, if anything, even better for the
health of your shoulders than the barbell version because you find your
own natural groove for the movement, even if it's different on your two
sides. Personally, I practice every variation of this movement I can
think of - one armed strict press, two armed strict press, alternating
arms while holding the other side racked, "see-saw" pressing so that one
moves up while the other moves down - and I use kettlebells.

Third, people who aren't experienced at leaning back with a weight can
hurt their backs this way. Tightening the glutes seems to help protect
the lower back and isn't at odds with leaning back and often even helps.
Some people, when given the instruction to tighten the abs as much as
possible, will also tighten the glutes since the two work together to
rotate the hips, but not everyone does this naturally.

Just my opinion.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com


> --
> Keith

"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> > In article <[email protected]>,
>> > "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >> About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
>> >> of
>> >> no
>> >> great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
>> >> incline
>> >> is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
>> >> comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>> >>
>> >> About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
>> >> during
>> >> the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
>> >> try
>> >> to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
>> >> from
>> >> my lower back and midsection.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> > Do you do core work?
>> >
>> > If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
>> > opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
>> > shoulders in one movement?
>> >
>> > --
>> I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any of
>> my
>> other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
>> isn't
>> the end of the world?
>>
>>
> I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
>
> Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
> 'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
> press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
> increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
> By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
> than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
> edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
> probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
>
> So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
> one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
>
> --
> Keith

Thanks.

But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
seriously valuable part of a workout or not? People always say you should
vary your pressing angles, incline, decline, all that, and yet many benches
are flat to incline, with no option to decline, so how important is it for
the bench press? Thanks again.

The Crow wrote:

> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
>>>>>of
>>>>>no
>>>>>great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
>>>>>incline
>>>>>is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
>>>>>comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>>>>>
>>>>>About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
>>>>>during
>>>>>the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
>>>>>try
>>>>>to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
>>>>>from
>>>>>my lower back and midsection.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Do you do core work?
>>>>
>>>>If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
>>>>opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
>>>>shoulders in one movement?
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>
>>>I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any of
>>>my
>>>other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
>>>isn't
>>>the end of the world?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
>>
>>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
>>'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
>>press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
>>increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
>>By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
>>than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
>>edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
>>probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
>>
>>So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
>>one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
>>
>>--
>>Keith
>
>
> Thanks.
>
> But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
> seriously valuable part of a workout?

No.

In article <[email protected]>,
"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> news:[email protected]...
> >> > In article <[email protected]>,
> >> > "The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
> >> >> of
> >> >> no
> >> >> great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
> >> >> incline
> >> >> is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
> >> >> comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
> >> >>
> >> >> About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
> >> >> during
> >> >> the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
> >> >> try
> >> >> to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
> >> >> from
> >> >> my lower back and midsection.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > Do you do core work?
> >> >
> >> > If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
> >> > opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
> >> > shoulders in one movement?
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any of
> >> my
> >> other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
> >> isn't
> >> the end of the world?
> >>
> >>
> > I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
> >
> > Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
> > 'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
> > press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
> > increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
> > By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
> > than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
> > edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
> > probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
> >
> > So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
> > one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
> >
> > --
> > Keith
>
> Thanks.
>
> But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
> seriously valuable part of a workout or not? People always say you should
> vary your pressing angles, incline, decline, all that, and yet many benches
> are flat to incline, with no option to decline, so how important is it for
> the bench press? Thanks again.
>
>

Not important at all, IMO.

Even for a bodybuilder flat and one incline is lots of variation.

--
Keith

"T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The Crow wrote:
>
>> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>
>>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
>>>>>>of
>>>>>>no
>>>>>>great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
>>>>>>incline
>>>>>>is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
>>>>>>comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
>>>>>>during
>>>>>>the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
>>>>>>try
>>>>>>to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
>>>>>>from
>>>>>>my lower back and midsection.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Do you do core work?
>>>>>
>>>>>If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
>>>>>opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
>>>>>shoulders in one movement?
>>>>>
>>>>>--
>>>>
>>>>I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any
>>>>of my
>>>>other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
>>>>isn't
>>>>the end of the world?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
>>>
>>>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
>>>'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
>>>press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
>>>increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
>>>By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
>>>than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
>>>edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
>>>probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
>>>
>>>So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
>>>one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Keith
>>
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
>> seriously valuable part of a workout?
>
> No.

But the incline is? Or is the whole thing about multi angle pressing a bit
of a myth?

The Crow wrote:
> "T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>The Crow wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>
>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>no
>>>>>>>great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
>>>>>>>incline
>>>>>>>is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
>>>>>>>comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
>>>>>>>during
>>>>>>>the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
>>>>>>>try
>>>>>>>to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
>>>>>>>from
>>>>>>>my lower back and midsection.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Do you do core work?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
>>>>>>opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
>>>>>>shoulders in one movement?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>--
>>>>>
>>>>>I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any
>>>>>of my
>>>>>other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
>>>>>isn't
>>>>>the end of the world?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
>>>>
>>>>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
>>>>'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
>>>>press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
>>>>increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
>>>>By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
>>>>than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
>>>>edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
>>>>probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
>>>>
>>>>So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
>>>>one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Keith
>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks.
>>>
>>>But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
>>>seriously valuable part of a workout?
>>
>>No.
>
>
> But the incline is? Or is the whole thing about multi angle pressing a bit
> of a myth?
>
>

The incline press is arguably easier on the rotator cuff than the flat
bench press. Indeed, years ago when I was rehabbing my shoulder to avoid
surgery on it I could only do incline dumbbell bench presses.

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

In article <[email protected]>,
"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > The Crow wrote:
> >
> >> "Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> news:[email protected]...
> >>
> >>>In article <[email protected]>,
> >>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >>>>news:[email protected]...
> >>>>
> >>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
> >>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
> >>>>>>of
> >>>>>>no
> >>>>>>great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
> >>>>>>incline
> >>>>>>is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
> >>>>>>comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
> >>>>>>during
> >>>>>>the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
> >>>>>>try
> >>>>>>to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
> >>>>>>from
> >>>>>>my lower back and midsection.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Do you do core work?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
> >>>>>opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
> >>>>>shoulders in one movement?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>--
> >>>>
> >>>>I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any
> >>>>of my
> >>>>other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
> >>>>isn't
> >>>>the end of the world?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
> >>>
> >>>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
> >>>'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
> >>>press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
> >>>increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
> >>>By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
> >>>than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
> >>>edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
> >>>probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
> >>>
> >>>So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
> >>>one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
> >>>
> >>>--
> >>>Keith
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks.
> >>
> >> But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
> >> seriously valuable part of a workout?
> >
> > No.
>
> But the incline is? Or is the whole thing about multi angle pressing a bit
> of a myth?
>
>

The incline press is a better movement than the flat bench for most
purposes. The flat bench pins the shoulder blades and is hard on the
rotators. If you are going to flat bench I'd advise benching like a
powerlifter, which is essentially a decline.

IMO for most people the multi-angle thing is basically a marketing tool
to get you to a gym with lots of equipment or buy more stuff.

--
Keith

The Crow wrote:

> "T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>The Crow wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>
>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"Hobbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>>>>"The Crow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>About the pressing, first: the feeling I'm getting is that decline is
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>no
>>>>>>>great significance. However, a lot of people seem to think that the
>>>>>>>incline
>>>>>>>is benefitial. From this I am guessing that the incline and flat are
>>>>>>>comparatively much more important than the decline. Is this correct?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>About the military press. I was hoping that, by having back support
>>>>>>>during
>>>>>>>the press, I could help illiminate interferance from my lower back. I
>>>>>>>try
>>>>>>>to watch my form, but still I am convinced that I am deriving too much
>>>>>>>from
>>>>>>>my lower back and midsection.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Do you do core work?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If so, why would you isolate the core to work it when you have an
>>>>>>opportunity to train efficiently and work both the core and the
>>>>>>shoulders in one movement?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>--
>>>>>
>>>>>I do core work, but mainly the sides, which I figure get less from any
>>>>>of my
>>>>>other movements. So you think a little back in the military movement
>>>>>isn't
>>>>>the end of the world?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I'm an olympic weightlifter. I don't use a bench for anything!
>>>>
>>>>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted biomechanical expert and author of
>>>>'Supertraining', made the casual comment to me that since the olympic
>>>>press was no longer a part of competition that rotator cuff injuries had
>>>>increased and speculated there may be a connection. I suspect there is.
>>>>By allowing movement of the back you can raise the bar more naturally
>>>>than simply locking the torso and having the bar move forward to the
>>>>edge of the center of gravity of the lifter/bar system. So it is also
>>>>probably better for the rotator cuff group of muscles.
>>>>
>>>>So you get shoulder work, core work and potentially rotator work all in
>>>>one movement! Sounds like good training to me.
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Keith
>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks.
>>>
>>>But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
>>>seriously valuable part of a workout?
>>
>>No.
>
>
> But the incline is?

No.

> Or is the whole thing about multi angle pressing a bit
> of a myth?
>
>
Yes.

The Crow wrote:

> But we still haven't got to the bottom of whether the decline press is a
> seriously valuable part of a workout or not? People always say you should
> vary your pressing angles, incline, decline, all that, and yet many benches
> are flat to incline, with no option to decline, so how important is it for
> the bench press? Thanks again.

Most of what I've read says decline bench is unimportant and
unneccesary. I agree. I don't do them. I don't have any sources or
reasoning for you, sorry. I've read different opinions regarding flat
and incline benches. So, I go by what I feel. I love flat dumbbell
presses so I do them, and I do my incline at about a 30 degree angle or
less, to switch it up. 30 or less feels right. I don't like 45 degree
so I don't do it. The shoulders are worked too much on that angle.

However, I was thinking of something last night. Dips are supposedly
great for the chest. If you picture them, aren't they similar to a
decline bench press? Hmmm...

zoo

The Crow wrote:
> Hi.
> What is the importance of the decline bench press in
particular?
> Is it vital? I've found a bench I like, at a good price, but
it
> only does incline to flat, it doesn't decline. Is this a
major
> disadvantage? It also says that it will go to 'nearly' ninety
> degrees for military press. I wonder how far off ninety it
is, and
> how much of an issue it might be if there's not a perfect
right
> angle in the seating. Any advice welcome.

Just put plates under one end of the bench to make it decline.
It is always helpful to work a muscle from different angles. The
decline uses more lat so you can usually lift a bit more. Work
through the entire range; dips, decline, pushups w/weight, flat,
incline, overhead press.

I like seated overheads but if I use a belt, standing overheads
don't hurt my back.


locker

In article <[email protected]>,
"locker" <[email protected]> wrote:

> The Crow wrote:
> > Hi.
> > What is the importance of the decline bench press in
> particular?
> > Is it vital? I've found a bench I like, at a good price, but
> it
> > only does incline to flat, it doesn't decline. Is this a
> major
> > disadvantage? It also says that it will go to 'nearly' ninety
> > degrees for military press. I wonder how far off ninety it
> is, and
> > how much of an issue it might be if there's not a perfect
> right
> > angle in the seating. Any advice welcome.
>
> Just put plates under one end of the bench to make it decline.
> It is always helpful to work a muscle from different angles.

Why?

The
> decline uses more lat so you can usually lift a bit more. Work
> through the entire range; dips, decline, pushups w/weight, flat,
> incline, overhead press.
>
> I like seated overheads but if I use a belt, standing overheads
> don't hurt my back.

You are using the belt as a crutch. You'd be better off learning to lift
properly and develop strong core muscles.

--
Keith

Hobbes wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "locker" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> The Crow wrote:
>>> Hi.
>>> What is the importance of the decline bench press in
>> particular?
>>> Is it vital? I've found a bench I like, at a good price,
but
>> it
>>> only does incline to flat, it doesn't decline. Is this a
>> major
>>> disadvantage? It also says that it will go to 'nearly'
ninety
>>> degrees for military press. I wonder how far off ninety it
>> is, and
>>> how much of an issue it might be if there's not a perfect
>> right
>>> angle in the seating. Any advice welcome.
>>
>> Just put plates under one end of the bench to make it
decline.
>> It is always helpful to work a muscle from different angles.
>
> Why?

Because the triceps (and other muscles) are tensioned
differently at different angles.

>
> The
>> decline uses more lat so you can usually lift a bit more.
Work
>> through the entire range; dips, decline, pushups w/weight,
flat,
>> incline, overhead press.
>>
>> I like seated overheads but if I use a belt, standing
overheads
>> don't hurt my back.
>
> You are using the belt as a crutch.

No I'm not; I'm using it as support. Using a belt and wraps in
the squat is not a crutch. Same is true in the OHP.

> You'd be better off learning to
> lift properly and develop strong core muscles.

Bull ****, son. I know how to lift weights.

Tell me about core muscles; I powerlift and hold records in my
state.


locker