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Strength on one side for bench?

krismike Posts: 56 Joined: 2002/03/17	2002/06/03, 08:27 PM Heres the deal on my bench press I use about a shoulder width grip. On all other excercises my left side is exactly the same as my right side for strenght and size but when i do bench press i always end up not doing my max because my left arm fails. On the pushing up phase of it the weight is even for the lower and middle parts of it, but then at the top my right side pulls through and my left side collapses. I guess I have two questions depending on what your opinion of what is wrong. 1) If it isn't a strenght problem is there any way I can correct this by a form fix(grip, picturing doing the exercise)? 2) If it is a strenght thing are there any techniques on how to get the left side of my bench press up to par with my right side(maybe do more weight on the left side to catch up for a while?)? Thanks a lot!
mikencharleston Posts: 1,585 Joined: 2002/01/09	2002/06/03, 09:02 PM kris - that's a problem most people have. Everyone has a stronger side. Just switch over to dumb bells for awhile. The weights equal and you can even get a better stretch.
krismike Posts: 56 Joined: 2002/03/17	2002/06/04, 07:28 AM No, I really love to max out on the bench press I need a way to correct it. The bench press is the sign if I am gaining strength or not.
qualters Posts: 343 Joined: 2002/04/21	2002/06/04, 10:24 AM If you use dumbells for awhile you can increase your bench in the long run. The only real way to correct this problem is like Mike said to switch over to dumbells. Flat dumbell presses are a great exercise to help build your chest, try them adn you will see and feel a difference Good Luck! BQ -------------- AMERICAN MADE
rpacheco Posts: 3,770 Joined: 2001/12/13	2002/06/04, 10:35 AM There are other muscle groups that aid in the press as well. If you work on these (back, triceps and forearms), you'll be able to increase your bench in no time. -------------- **_Robert_** Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
chest Posts: 5 Joined: 2002/05/20	2002/06/04, 09:44 PM KrisMike i saw u at the gym the other day! ur left arm was really weak and ur right was much stronger. hit the roids!
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/06/04, 11:35 PM Thanks for that lovely contribution. Spew nuggets like that often? -------------- And my soul must be iron, because my fear is naked. I'm naked and fearless.
skinnyguy Posts: 86 Joined: 2002/05/03	2002/06/04, 11:56 PM I read that if you look at your weak hand during bench press max it helps alot. I never max out so I haven't tried it. -------------- Vaya con Dios... Keith
qualters Posts: 343 Joined: 2002/04/21	2002/06/05, 07:17 PM Wow, I have noticied a lot of these newbies acting pretty silly. Why all the roidd remarks? These really arent helpful, if you dont have anything benefical to add to this board please dont post. BQ -------------- AMERICAN MADE