Thread: partial range of motion

I don't use them, but they do have their place. Their place, however, is not in place of full reps because you are too lazy to go all the way down.

I heard that they are good for working out sticking points in a bench press.

Originally Posted by WilliamB

I heard that they are good for working out sticking points in a bench press.

maybe the case, but when people do partial reps of the bench press....USUALLY its because they don't bring it all the way down and touch their chest.

If you were to bring it down to your chest, then bring it up ONLY half way, then down again. I guess using partial reps there would help you BREAK OUT of that sticking point.

I only use them when im doing 21's

Originally Posted by WilliamB

I heard that they are good for working out sticking points in a bench press.

Yep. Floor presses, rack lockouts, and things of that nature have their place.

Problem with the partial reps is people start right above their sticking point. IMO, wrt sticking points, the best limit their effect is to make sure the bar is going fast enough prior to them, which will not be worked in a partial rep.

The physiology of the sticking point is actually very interesting.

I use em alot. But I add at least 25% extra weight then i used for my full range rep to make it worth the while. Also, I bet it's a great way for seniors to get a great workout to minimize joint stress. In a couple decades I can see limiting my workouts to only partial reps...but hopefully it will be longer than that!

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

IMO, wrt sticking points, the best limit their effect is to make sure the bar is going fast enough prior to them, which will not be worked in a partial rep.

The physiology of the sticking point is actually very interesting.

You are supposed to work just below the sticking point and prey to carry enough velocity to break through it.

i'm just about to finish my third week of floor presses at which point my current program will end and i will start something new and retest my bench to see if partial stuff really helps...to be totally honest i've always had my doubts but this is the first time i'm actually trying it so you can check out my journal in a week for some empirical evidence.

Originally Posted by Mudge

You are supposed to work just below the sticking point and prey to carry enough velocity to break through it.

I know, I actually think doing explosive reps with light weight in this manner will help. It seems as though most people's sticking point is where the lift transfers from a Muscle A dominant portion of the lift to a Muscle B dominant portion and the problem is that fibers in Muscle B don't fire quickly enough to overcome the transfer. Very interesting stuff I tells ya.