Max Bench Question-Decline vs. Flat.

Newlife · 01-11-2005, 12:50 PM

Q: Why is my decline bench about 10-15 lbs higher than my flat and incline bench press? What would cause this to happen? I don't usually bench on decline (haven't in 6 months) but did it yesterday and was amazed at the weight I could press. I tried to think of a reason why this happened and I only come up with my Weighted Dip training since the movement is almost the same. Or am I looking at this wrong and the issue could be weak shoulders? I have no injury that would cause this.

Any ideas guys and gals?

Tyler_K · 01-11-2005, 12:55 PM

Shorter ROM.

GqArtguy · 01-11-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tyler_K:
Shorter ROM.

This is because a decline bench positions you in a nice competition-like arch. If you dont arch in the flat bench then that arch will help a lot. If you do arch, youre not arching as much as the decline.

Newlife · 01-11-2005, 03:20 PM

But I am flat on my decline bench. Only the bench is declined, as I have a flat back. Is it just the direction I am pushing? As for shorter ROM, it should be the same or at best, 1 inch shorter...would that make a 15lbs difference?

F'ing science...

dwise1 · 01-11-2005, 03:36 PM

I have another question related to this. A guy at my gym last night was pushing a lot of weight on the incline bench, but when I saw how he was pushing it up I had some questions. He would put both feet against the platform on the bottom and none of his body would touch the bench except for the top of his shoulders.

From the side it looked a lot like a flat bench press with no bench underneath him? Thoughts?

n.neate · 01-11-2005, 04:27 PM

His form is terrible. And hes using too much weight!