Thread: Working chest but not using barbell

besides DBs
dips
cables

use it on the smith machine

db presses
flyes
dips (wide grip, leaned forward)
pullovers

I would suggest the smith also, but not over DB's. Also, if you injured your shoulder the smith might not be the best idea. The smith hurts my shoulder because it restricts the plain in which the bar travels.

Originally Posted by Island Roots

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I'm literally scared to use a barbell just to bench an easy weight without a spotter; I haven't used a barbell for almost two months since my shoulder gave out while benching an easy weight.

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Could you elaborate on "shoulder gave out"? Did the bar just drop on you? Do you know why your shoulder gave out?

Originally Posted by buildingup

use it on the smith machine

The range of motion when benching on a Smith Machine is rather poor. It would be OK as an occasional supplement, but not as a substitute.

Buy two $20 steel sawhorses and set them up on either side of your bench. BB bench your heart out. Go to Home Depot to get them; they hold 1,200 pounds each.

Squaggleboggin as a powerlifter do you have developed muscles like a bb, i mean if you are orientated towards gaining strength does it produce a large amount muscle like a bb does?

Two completely different goals. With strength, muscle size will come; with muscle size, strength will come. If you're going for strength, the muscle size will come, but it may take a very long time. I've been doing things like a powerlifter for a long time, and I've gained a lot of muscle and lost a lot of fat; my BW has stayed the same, but I've increased in strength like mad. You don't have to worry about being bulky and being able to do nothing when it comes to powerlifting. Powerlifters don't focus on mass at all so if you're worried about that, don't be. I have what's been a really good powerlifting routine for me, let me know if you want it to use some of my ideas from it.

im just interested because i go with increasing weight thus strength every workout, i use 10 8 6 4 reps per exercise and wanted to kno if im increasing in strength does it mean muscle size will increase?

Take measurements. Measure the areas that you think are increasing in size (or that you want to) and measure your BF%. Your muscles will get bigger, but if your exercise is geared towards strength increases, you'll make more strength gains than size gains (hopefully).

k thanks that clears it up!

Originally Posted by buildingup

im just interested because i go with increasing weight thus strength every workout, i use 10 8 6 4 reps per exercise and wanted to kno if im increasing in strength does it mean muscle size will increase?

I've been working in the 8,6,4 rep range exclusively for the last 10 weeks only changing exercises. Both my strength and size are up tremendously. Yes, I'm on AAS but I believe the results would be proportionally similar to the non user.

AAS? i thought so i dont know if im making size changes because ive been on my program for just under 3 weeks, so should i just be consistant?

Originally Posted by buildingup

AAS? i thought so i dont know if im making size changes because ive been on my program for just under 3 weeks, so should i just be consistant?

Of course! You already knew the answer to that question though. Give it some time then reevaluate.

yeh i know!

Originally Posted by cfs3

Could you elaborate on "shoulder gave out"? Did the bar just drop on you? Do you know why your shoulder gave out?

I had the bar at my chest (repping a relatively easy weight for me) and when I went to push it up my left shoulder simply didn't respond. I felt something slip then just had to sit there.

Went through about a month of physical therapy; I tore some ligaments underneath my scapula (which still isn't the same...it protrudes from my back quite a bit more than my other scapula).