Thread: chest dips, pullups, bench - pulling shoulder blades together or not?

simple question, when I do chest dips, pullups and bench press do I need to pull my shoulder blades together, squeeze them, or not?

thanks for anwsers. im aksing because a PT in my gym told my friend that he shouldnt do that during chest dips & pullups

front pull ups : concentrate on bringing down elbows by pulling with your lats , your chest must go out and your shoulder blades will NATURALLY squeeze ...so yes
bench press: no
chest dips: as you go down your shoulder blades will squeeze naturally the more you go down but it is not essential it is just a natural consequence and it is not necessary that you go down all the way but go down fairly well a bit beyond 90 degrees. you should feel your chest working as you go up that is the important part.