To touch the chest or to not touch the chest?

mikecc · 11-27-2005, 06:30 PM

Hey guys, I work out with my friends. I have made great gains in everything, but my friends and I constantly disagree on one key thing: touching the chest when benching. When I bench, I bring it down slow, touch the chest, careful not to bounce, and bring it back up. My friends however, are much skinnier than I am, and are a little bit taller than I am, and insist that they have "to do more work" when they touch their chests, and their "chests deflate" as soon as they touch their chest because they do not have as much mass. Because of these factors, they go down to about 2-4 inches above their chest.

Who has it right?

min0 lee · 11-27-2005, 06:31 PM

Touch but not bounce.

**P-funk** · 11-27-2005, 06:33 PM

they are right, they have to do more work to perform a correct repetition (longer levers). But, the proper form is to touch the chest so tell them to quit being a bunch of fucking pussies and start lifting weights. Then make fun of their bird chests by saying that they do half reps and have only half a chest. They call them a bunch of bitches and find new friends.

silencer · 11-27-2005, 07:09 PM

Maybe your friends should lift lighter weights if they can't bring it down to their chests....

PreMier · 11-27-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

they are right, they have to do more work to perform a correct repetition (longer levers). But, the proper form is to touch the chest so tell them to quit being a bunch of fucking pussies and start lifting weights. Then make fun of their bird chests by saying that they do half reps and have only half a chest. They call them a bunch of bitches and find new friends.

Fucking classic!!!!!!!!!

kicka19 · 11-27-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

they are right, they have to do more work to perform a correct repetition (longer levers). But, the proper form is to touch the chest so tell them to quit being a bunch of fucking pussies and start lifting weights. Then make fun of their bird chests by saying that they do half reps and have only half a chest. They call them a bunch of bitches and find new friends.

PreMier · 11-27-2005, 07:17 PM

Bird chests!!!!!!!!!

BritChick · 11-27-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Touch but not bounce.

LAM · 11-27-2005, 07:26 PM

agree with P-funk. what a bunch of pussies.

**CowPimp** · 11-27-2005, 07:29 PM

Definitely use a full range of motion. The only reason not to use a full range of motion is because of an existing injury or perhaps a lack of flexibility that needs to be addressed in order to allow a full range of motion.

Gym_Maniac · 11-27-2005, 11:43 PM

touching the chest means full ROM, full ROM means better growth and less injury, tell your friend that.

make sure you don't bounce, a lot of people bounce at the bottom without even realizing. it's actually hard to eliminate all momentum and not bounce, this is something you have to learn in order to gain better control.

The13ig13adWolf · 11-27-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

they are right, they have to do more work to perform a correct repetition (longer levers). But, the proper form is to touch the chest so tell them to quit being a bunch of fucking pussies and start lifting weights. Then make fun of their bird chests by saying that they do half reps and have only half a chest. They call them a bunch of bitches and find new friends.

The Monkey Man · 11-28-2005, 08:54 AM

A bench press in competition, is a touch and a pause waiting for a REF
give the command to perform the lift...

So, if you don't count your max with a pause on the chest, then thats not your max -

**Dale Mabry** · 11-28-2005, 08:58 AM

They should touch the bar to the underwire in their training bras, and then go out for white wine spritzers.

Tough Old Man · 11-28-2005, 09:19 AM

I fall into the pussy catergory. Because of using heavy weights and once tearing a pec from the full Roms, I now place a folded towel on my chest. I slowly lower, touch the towel and then finish the lift.

So I'll be a pussy here. Let one of you tear a pec one day and we'll see if my way of thinking doesn't change your way of thinking sometime in the future.

I could give a shit less who believes me, but heavy flat bench presses taken to a full stretch at the bottom of the lift can result in a torn pec muscle.

**Dale Mabry** · 11-28-2005, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

I fall into the pussy catergory. Because of using heavy weights and once tearing a pec from the full Roms, I now place a folded towel on my chest. I slowly lower, touch the towel and then finish the lift.

So I'll be a pussy here. Let one of you tear a pec one day and we'll see if my way of thinking doesn't change your way of thinking sometime in the future.

I could give a shit less who believes me, but heavy flat bench presses taken to a full stretch at the bottom of the lift can result in a torn pec muscle.

I agree only to the extent that the person in question either has not used that range of motion for a very long time, or is progressing too quickly either thru sheer determination or endocrine enhancement.

The Monkey Man · 11-28-2005, 09:35 AM

So if you are a BB, or an apparently not-so-tough old man,
Don't worry about touching the chest...

And if you want strength, or are into competition,
then go all the way down to the chest with the bar.

Stu · 11-28-2005, 09:39 AM

If you are a bodybuilder you should be predominantely using a full ROM, the only time i can think why you might not want to touch your chest with the bar is if you feel you cant keep the weight under constant tention or you are doing partial reps.

strongpointe85 · 11-28-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

they are right, they have to do more work to perform a correct repetition (longer levers). But, the proper form is to touch the chest so tell them to quit being a bunch of fucking pussies and start lifting weights. Then make fun of their bird chests by saying that they do half reps and have only half a chest. They call them a bunch of bitches and find new friends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

They should touch the bar to the underwire in their training bras, and then go out for white wine spritzers.

ROFL... u guys make me laugh so hard hahahahahah

dougnukem · 11-28-2005, 11:49 AM

I never touch my chest! Ha, that's because I use DBs.

No, seriously, I've felt that the extra inch or 2 above the chest is good for me, as if I go any lower, I feel some nasty pains in my shoulder joint. Hence, why i switched to DBs in the first place.

**P-funk** · 11-28-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

I fall into the pussy catergory. Because of using heavy weights and once tearing a pec from the full Roms, I now place a folded towel on my chest. I slowly lower, touch the towel and then finish the lift.

So I'll be a pussy here. Let one of you tear a pec one day and we'll see if my way of thinking doesn't change your way of thinking sometime in the future.

I could give a shit less who believes me, but heavy flat bench presses taken to a full stretch at the bottom of the lift can result in a torn pec muscle.

If you have an injury going all the way down isn't the best idea. I put a towel on my chest as a target for an client that i have that is re-habing after rotator cuff surgery.

**CowPimp** · 11-28-2005, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

I fall into the pussy catergory. Because of using heavy weights and once tearing a pec from the full Roms, I now place a folded towel on my chest. I slowly lower, touch the towel and then finish the lift.

So I'll be a pussy here. Let one of you tear a pec one day and we'll see if my way of thinking doesn't change your way of thinking sometime in the future.

I could give a shit less who believes me, but heavy flat bench presses taken to a full stretch at the bottom of the lift can result in a torn pec muscle.

Yeah, like I said, don't use a full range of motion unless you have an existing injury, which is the case with you. In such a case, I would suggest using your functional range of motion (As far as you can go without pain).

Your pec tear could be the result of a lack of flexibility or an amazingly fast progression in weight. Even if you are taking special supplements, I still say you should play it safe in terms of progression.

Hlanderr · 11-28-2005, 01:23 PM

i bet half you guys who touch your chest bounce it off

i dont touch my chest, but come within an inch of doing so, and slow the rep to make sure of this..... any touch changes momentum... in my opinion id rather keep it just above the chest

i dont see whats so fucking funny either.... they are a bunch of kids...... skinny kids, which implys new to lifting.... they arent fucking pussies
their full ROM is like 2 feet, and your calling them pussies for stopping 11/12th's of the way?

stop trying to act like tough guys...

Stu · 11-28-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hlanderr

i bet half you guys who touch your chest bounce it off

i dont touch my chest, but come within an inch of doing so, and slow the rep to make sure of this..... any touch changes momentum... in my opinion id rather keep it just above the chest

i dont see whats so fucking funny either.... they are a bunch of kids...... skinny kids, which implys new to lifting.... they arent fucking pussies
their full ROM is like 2 feet, and your calling them pussies for stopping 11/12th's of the way?

stop trying to act like tough guys...

pussy!

**CowPimp** · 11-28-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hlanderr

i bet half you guys who touch your chest bounce it off

i dont touch my chest, but come within an inch of doing so, and slow the rep to make sure of this..... any touch changes momentum... in my opinion id rather keep it just above the chest

i dont see whats so fucking funny either.... they are a bunch of kids...... skinny kids, which implys new to lifting.... they arent fucking pussies
their full ROM is like 2 feet, and your calling them pussies for stopping 11/12th's of the way?

stop trying to act like tough guys...

Yes, that's right. Not to mention they are cheating their own muscular development. You achieve the most powerful contractions by stretching the muscle beyond resting length.

**P-funk** · 11-28-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hlanderr

i bet half you guys who touch your chest bounce it off

i dont touch my chest, but come within an inch of doing so, and slow the rep to make sure of this..... any touch changes momentum... in my opinion id rather keep it just above the chest

i dont see whats so fucking funny either.... they are a bunch of kids...... skinny kids, which implys new to lifting.... they arent fucking pussies
their full ROM is like 2 feet, and your calling them pussies for stopping 11/12th's of the way?

stop trying to act like tough guys...

up, new to lifting....maybe they should learn to train properly.

stop an inch above your chest? *cough* pussy *cough*

why not do what a powerlifter does and lower the bar to touch the chest and then pause for a second and then press.

11-27-2005, 06:30 PM	#1
mikecc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8	To touch the chest or to not touch the chest? Hey guys, I work out with my friends. I have made great gains in everything, but my friends and I constantly disagree on one key thing: touching the chest when benching. When I bench, I bring it down slow, touch the chest, careful not to bounce, and bring it back up. My friends however, are much skinnier than I am, and are a little bit taller than I am, and insist that they have "to do more work" when they touch their chests, and their "chests deflate" as soon as they touch their chest because they do not have as much mass. Because of these factors, they go down to about 2-4 inches above their chest. Who has it right?
mikecc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8

11-27-2005, 06:31 PM	#2
min0 lee Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Bronx, NYC Posts: 33,780 Blog Entries: 3 Photos: 542	Touch but not bounce.
	How To Do The Perfect Bench Press Rep Bodybuilding and Lifting Weights, the Difference ironmagazine-frapper BONECRUSHER '08

11-27-2005, 06:33 PM	#3
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 30,625	they are right, they have to do more work to perform a correct repetition (longer levers). But, the proper form is to touch the chest so tell them to quit being a bunch of fucking pussies and start lifting weights. Then make fun of their bird chests by saying that they do half reps and have only half a chest. They call them a bunch of bitches and find new friends.
	http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind! Ivonne's Blog on Health and Wellness! Optimum Sports Performance "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

11-27-2005, 07:17 PM	#7
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 21,300 Photos: 2	Bird chests!!!!!!!!!
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

11-27-2005, 07:26 PM	#9
LAM Gym ratt/Part-time pimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 7,384 Photos: 2	agree with P-funk. what a bunch of pussies.
	Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov TBD ----------------------------------------------------- What you talking about Willis ?

11-27-2005, 07:09 PM	#4
silencer Ascendo tuum Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK Posts: 659	Maybe your friends should lift lighter weights if they can't bring it down to their chests....

11-27-2005, 07:29 PM	#10
CowPimp Fueled by Testosterone Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 15,428	Definitely use a full range of motion. The only reason not to use a full range of motion is because of an existing injury or perhaps a lack of flexibility that needs to be addressed in order to allow a full range of motion.
	The only time it's bad to feel the burn is when you're peeing... CowPimp Picks Up Heavy Shit MySpace YouTube Videos

11-27-2005, 11:43 PM	#11
Gym_Maniac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 14 Photos: 4	touching the chest means full ROM, full ROM means better growth and less injury, tell your friend that. make sure you don't bounce, a lot of people bounce at the bottom without even realizing. it's actually hard to eliminate all momentum and not bounce, this is something you have to learn in order to gain better control.

11-28-2005, 08:54 AM	#13
The Monkey Man Magical Apelikemenace Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 13,791 Photos: 35	A bench press in competition, is a touch and a pause waiting for a REF give the command to perform the lift... So, if you don't count your max with a pause on the chest, then thats not your max -
	Have Problems?... Chances are its due to overpopulation Save The Oceans, Save the Planet, Save Your Family, Save Yourself!

11-28-2005, 08:58 AM	#14
Dale Mabry Moderator Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 13,881 Photos: 10	They should touch the bar to the underwire in their training bras, and then go out for white wine spritzers.
	If sense were common, everyone would have it. 4/2007-Current 75th Ranked most popular image 1 spot behind Prince's bulge...

11-28-2005, 09:19 AM	#15
Tough Old Man Canine club CEO Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: baja calif, Mexico Posts: 6,933 Photos: 1	I fall into the pussy catergory. Because of using heavy weights and once tearing a pec from the full Roms, I now place a folded towel on my chest. I slowly lower, touch the towel and then finish the lift. So I'll be a pussy here. Let one of you tear a pec one day and we'll see if my way of thinking doesn't change your way of thinking sometime in the future. I could give a shit less who believes me, but heavy flat bench presses taken to a full stretch at the bottom of the lift can result in a torn pec muscle.

11-28-2005, 09:35 AM	#17
The Monkey Man Magical Apelikemenace Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 13,791 Photos: 35	So if you are a BB, or an apparently not-so-tough old man, Don't worry about touching the chest... And if you want strength, or are into competition, then go all the way down to the chest with the bar.
	Have Problems?... Chances are its due to overpopulation Save The Oceans, Save the Planet, Save Your Family, Save Yourself!

11-28-2005, 09:39 AM	#18
Stu cooking up a storm Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,868 Photos: 1	If you are a bodybuilder you should be predominantely using a full ROM, the only time i can think why you might not want to touch your chest with the bar is if you feel you cant keep the weight under constant tention or you are doing partial reps.

11-28-2005, 11:49 AM	#20
dougnukem The American Dream Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Posts: 1,802 Photos: 6	I never touch my chest! Ha, that's because I use DBs. No, seriously, I've felt that the extra inch or 2 above the chest is good for me, as if I go any lower, I feel some nasty pains in my shoulder joint. Hence, why i switched to DBs in the first place.

11-28-2005, 01:23 PM	#23
Hlanderr Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 774	i bet half you guys who touch your chest bounce it off i dont touch my chest, but come within an inch of doing so, and slow the rep to make sure of this..... any touch changes momentum... in my opinion id rather keep it just above the chest i dont see whats so fucking funny either.... they are a bunch of kids...... skinny kids, which implys new to lifting.... they arent fucking pussies their full ROM is like 2 feet, and your calling them pussies for stopping 11/12th's of the way? stop trying to act like tough guys...
Hlanderr Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 774