To Decline or Not to Decline........

**devildog88** · 05-10-2005, 08:42 AM

We might as well open up discussion on this subject. Is the decline bench a staple of any good chest routine or is it a gimmick lift. Some might suggest all it does is limit the movement while others believe it works the bottom end of the power curve. Where do you stand?

**SacM5** · 05-10-2005, 09:27 AM

Decline is pretty hard on your rotator cuff. If you dont care about that then go for it.

**Triple Threat** · 05-10-2005, 09:37 AM

I do them, but usually with DBs. As far as the rotator cuff, I find that inclines hit the delts more than declines.

**Prince** · 05-10-2005, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by SacM5

Decline is pretty hard on your rotator cuff. If you dont care about that then go for it.

compared to what?

**LAM** · 05-10-2005, 09:40 AM

I always have a decline movement in my chest routine

**SacM5** · 05-10-2005, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

compared to what?

Compared to flat or incline. When I was playing Rugby and doing some decline I had a sports doctor show me xrays of what is going on. It didnt look to good. He said he felt that flat and incline was fine but decline was goign to lead to problems.

I could care less, go ahead and do decline all day long. I am just offering my opinion and what I have heard. It makes sense if you think of how your choulder anatomy is constructed. Anyway go ahead and decline, maybe you will be okay.

**Prince** · 05-10-2005, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by SacM5

It makes sense if you think of how your shoulder anatomy is constructed.

the higher the incline, the more shoulder involvement, so I guess I am not understanding?

**HardTrainer** · 05-10-2005, 09:57 AM

No robert, inclines work you upper chest! not you delts, its a weaker movment because you upperchest is smaller then your middle chest

I am all confused now...... I need to read more I think

**musclepump** · 05-10-2005, 10:36 AM

I always do decline, but not barbell bench. I use dumbbells almost exclusively.

**Flex** · 05-10-2005, 10:53 AM

declines are a good change of pace, nothin' wrong with them.

(and yes, IMO they work your lower chest hahaha)

**racoon02** · 05-10-2005, 12:45 PM

Declines just feel weird for me. I would much rather do weighted dips.

**musclepump** · 05-10-2005, 12:52 PM

Declines offer up a great pump.

**Prince** · 05-10-2005, 12:53 PM

I could care less about a pump, but I have always used declines in my training, especially when I am having any shoulder problems as declines put the least amount of stress on your shoulders compared to flat and incline.

**musclepump** · 05-10-2005, 01:38 PM

To me a good pump is a sign of an effective workout.

**Prince** · 05-10-2005, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by musclepump

To me a good pump is a sign of an effective workout.

it is too many, but that is not really true.

you can get a pump by doing 50 reps of squats with 25lbs of weight, but that does not mean hypertrophy will occur.

**musclepump** · 05-10-2005, 01:45 PM

That's true, but I don't do that many reps. If I feel a good pump between 10-15 reps, I feel satisfied and growth.

**gopro** · 05-10-2005, 02:37 PM

I am not a fan of declines as the range of motion is just too little. I prefer flat work to declines. However, if you do declines and feel they are productive for you, there is nothing wrong with doing them.

**BiggerNstronger** · 05-10-2005, 02:38 PM

According to my doctor and the research I have done decline is EASIER on the shoulders just like Mr. Dimaggio said. I only do them occasionally because I use dumbbells almost exclusively for chest and the only good decline bench at my gym is almost always being used.

**Prince** · 05-10-2005, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by musclepump

That's true, but I don't do that many reps. If I feel a good pump between 10-15 reps, I feel satisfied and growth.

http://ironmagazine.com/article44.html

**min0 lee** · 05-10-2005, 04:30 PM

When I broke my collar bone 3 years ago I felt the least amount of with the decline.

**GC456** · 05-10-2005, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

http://ironmagazine.com/article44.html

Great article!

**WATTS** · 05-10-2005, 07:14 PM

i like decline DB but dont feel much of my chest being worked with the Barbell, anyone else feel the same way or am i just not doing them right or something?

**musclepump** · 05-10-2005, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by GC456

Great article!

Agreed

**min0 lee** · 05-10-2005, 07:19 PM

What about dips?

**Seanp156** · 05-10-2005, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

When I broke my collar bone 3 years ago I felt the least amount of with the decline.

That's weird, I broke mine 3 years ago as well. It still bothers me in the first few warmups for incline, but other than that I don't really feel it.

**min0 lee** · 05-10-2005, 08:10 PM

It only bothers me when I don't lift.

**Prince** · 05-10-2005, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

What about dips?

I think dips put quite a bit of strain on the shoulders, if I am having any shoulder problems I cannot do dips.

**musclepump** · 05-10-2005, 10:09 PM

Dips kill my right shoulder for some reason.

**gopro** · 05-11-2005, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

I think dips put quite a bit of strain on the shoulders, if I am having any shoulder problems I cannot do dips.

I'm with ya on that one.

**Doublebase** · 05-11-2005, 08:31 AM

Decline hurts the area around my collar bone. Whatever that is. + my face turns bright red from the blood rushing to my skull.

Thread: To Decline or Not to Decline........

Thread Tools

Display

To Decline or Not to Decline........

Similar Threads

Decline angle?

Decline ??

Decline Bench

decline situps

Decline vs. Incline.... decline not worth the time?

Posting Permissions