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Benchpressing w/o hitting chest?

dee306 Posts: 10 Joined: 2005/07/17	2007/03/16, 06:24 PM I've been weight training for more than a year now, and whenever I barbell benchpress, I do not let the bar touch my chest, I keep the bar 2-3 inches above chest before lifting it up. If I try to go lower, my shoulder joints seem like they do not like the position. Is it okay to bench without letting the bar touch the chest? btw: I'm 6'0" with quite long arms.
drquack11223 Posts: 94 Joined: 2007/01/09	2007/03/17, 02:33 PM im 6'2" and i touch the chest everytime. Its best so that you get expand you muscles that much further. It'll help with muscle growth and all that good stuff. If your not used to it, lower the weight so that you CAN do it. To me, its like dead lifting wighout standing up straight at the end!!
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2007/03/17, 04:07 PM There's a billion ways to Bench Press, and you don't always need to touch the chest. Check the powerlifting forum. t -------------- I see the words you are typing, but all I read is *click*click*click* - One should not lift like a man or a woman, lift like a human.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2007/03/17, 04:14 PM Everything You Wanted to Know About Bench Pressing, But Were Afraid to Google: http://www.google.com/search?q=bench+press+methods&rls=com.microsoft:en-ca&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1 -------------- I see the words you are typing, but all I read is *click*click*click* - One should not lift like a man or a woman, lift like a human.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2007/03/18, 08:53 PM Depends...there really is no right and wrong. I see many who do as you mention, lower the bar a couple inches and do what is termed "X" reps. I imagine if you have shoulder issues, then this may be ok. Many folks with long arms have difficulty doing 'full' reps also. The opposite is true for folks with short arms. I used to work out with a friend of mine, he was very strong in the bench, but his arms were so short his stroke length was much easier to cover. I would investigate if arm length is not the issue, but shoulders are, I would suggest switching to dumbbell benches, you can adjust your range of motion to alleviate the issues and get a 'full' range of motion at the same time. -------------- "If it ain't broke, you aren't trying."
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2007/03/19, 01:49 PM Many people that have that problem are benching with their elbows flaired. This is tough on the shoulder capsule no matter how far you go down... Dumbbells might be another option. -------------- Gravity hates you. Enter the Darkside.