What is your Opinion on this Article? Written by Dr.Clay Hyght

akiss49ers · 05-06-2008, 04:00 PM

4) The bench press does not build big pecs!

The bench press is the most overrated exercise of all time. In fact, if you perform the bench press in the manner that most people do, it's not even very good at stimulating the pecs.

To make matters worse, other docs I've talked to concur with my observation that the flat barbell bench press is positively correlated with a number of shoulder injuries like AC joint problems, biciptal tendonitis, and torn pecs. (I'm referring to tendonitis of the long head of the biceps tendon where it slides through the biciptal groove on the head of the humerus — essentially a shoulder problem.)

I'm not saying to never do the bench press; I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it any more than any other chest exercise. Actually, I'd probably do it less than most others.

**Gazhole** · 05-06-2008, 04:40 PM

I think its kinda overrated, there are other similar movements that will do a lot for you. Its still a great movement though.

I think the problem is that people do it with their arms at a 90 degree angle from their torso which does have a higher probability of causing shoulder problems.

The solution is not to cut it out altogether, its to do the movement properly.

huesoloco · 05-08-2008, 10:40 PM

In fact, if you perform the bench press in the manner that most people do, it's not even very good at stimulating the pecs.

Right...all I do for chest is flat bench and DB Incline and my chest blows up from it.

Witchblade · 05-09-2008, 11:21 AM

The article is completely right.

(Except 'as most people do it' should be 'when using proper form'. Those are not the same, because most people have a shitty form so that the pecs do get stimulated maximally. Of course, as is the case with all compound exercises, chest hyperthrophy will occur.)

Travis Bell · 05-09-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazhole

I think the problem is that people do it with their arms at a 90 degree angle from their torso which does have a higher probability of causing shoulder problems.

The solution is not to cut it out altogether, its to do the movement properly.

Bingo! You've hit the nail right on the head.

and as for benching not building big pecs, haha well I'd disagree.

Tuck those elbows when benching. Pull the shoulder blades in together and take the stress of those shoulders. Also, people neglect their rotator cuffs too much . Predisposed weaknesses

**Prince** · 05-09-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akiss49ers

4) The bench press does not build big pecs!

The bench press is the most overrated exercise of all time. In fact, if you perform the bench press in the manner that most people do, it's not even very good at stimulating the pecs.

To make matters worse, other docs I've talked to concur with my observation that the flat barbell bench press is positively correlated with a number of shoulder injuries like AC joint problems, biciptal tendonitis, and torn pecs. (I'm referring to tendonitis of the long head of the biceps tendon where it slides through the biciptal groove on the head of the humerus — essentially a shoulder problem.)

I'm not saying to never do the bench press; I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it any more than any other chest exercise. Actually, I'd probably do it less than most others.

I think it's partially correct, not completely.

snoops · 05-09-2008, 05:39 PM

its hard for me to put too much into this article considering my chest has pretty much blown up from benching. There are other excellent lifts for your chest, but I dont know how anyone could expect to gain size on their chest without having the bench press as one of their lifts. just my two cents.

chris mason · 05-09-2008, 06:00 PM

The bench is a great exercise because it allows you to efficiently training all of the major pressing muscles of the upper body. There are other exercises which are equally effective, but that doesn't preclude the bench from being a good exercise.

Witchblade · 05-09-2008, 09:21 PM

I'm not saying to never do the bench press; I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it any more than any other chest exercise. Actually, I'd probably do it less than most others.

The phrase everyone seems to have missed.

Travis Bell · 05-10-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I'm not saying to never do the bench press; I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it any more than any other chest exercise. Actually, I'd probably do it less than most others.

The phrase everyone seems to have missed.

I'd still disagree. I don't do any other chest movement except bench. I might do a set of flyes every once in a great while. 99% of it though it flat bench

Witchblade · 05-10-2008, 08:54 PM

You're a powerlifter though, right Travis? Powerlifters have all the reason in the world to bench.

Travis Bell · 05-10-2008, 09:00 PM

yes I am, but my pec development hasn't suffered at all as a result was my point.

that said though I understand what you're saying. If my goal was only to achieve hypertrophy, I wouldn't train the same way.

05-06-2008, 04:00 PM	#1
akiss49ers Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glattbrugg, Switzerland Posts: 52 Photos: 1	What is your Opinion on this Article? Written by Dr.Clay Hyght BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com 4) The bench press does not build big pecs! The bench press is the most overrated exercise of all time. In fact, if you perform the bench press in the manner that most people do, it's not even very good at stimulating the pecs. To make matters worse, other docs I've talked to concur with my observation that the flat barbell bench press is positively correlated with a number of shoulder injuries like AC joint problems, biciptal tendonitis, and torn pecs. (I'm referring to tendonitis of the long head of the biceps tendon where it slides through the biciptal groove on the head of the humerus — essentially a shoulder problem.) I'm not saying to never do the bench press; I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it any more than any other chest exercise. Actually, I'd probably do it less than most others.

05-08-2008, 10:40 PM	#3
huesoloco Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 187	In fact, if you perform the bench press in the manner that most people do, it's not even very good at stimulating the pecs. Right...all I do for chest is flat bench and DB Incline and my chest blows up from it.
huesoloco Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 187	Im 20. 6'3'' 235 lbs. Want to get to 8% body fat, +315 bench, +500 squat, and reach a weight between 230-240.

05-09-2008, 11:21 AM	#4
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,219 Photos: 2	The article is completely right. (Except 'as most people do it' should be 'when using proper form'. Those are not the same, because most people have a shitty form so that the pecs do get stimulated maximally. Of course, as is the case with all compound exercises, chest hyperthrophy will occur.)
	My Journal My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

05-09-2008, 05:39 PM	#7
snoops Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 153	its hard for me to put too much into this article considering my chest has pretty much blown up from benching. There are other excellent lifts for your chest, but I dont know how anyone could expect to gain size on their chest without having the bench press as one of their lifts. just my two cents.
snoops Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 153

05-09-2008, 06:00 PM	#8
chris mason Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 415	The bench is a great exercise because it allows you to efficiently training all of the major pressing muscles of the upper body. There are other exercises which are equally effective, but that doesn't preclude the bench from being a good exercise.
	www.atlargenutrition.com Supplements for the strength athlete!

05-09-2008, 09:21 PM	#9
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,219 Photos: 2	I'm not saying to never do the bench press; I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it any more than any other chest exercise. Actually, I'd probably do it less than most others. The phrase everyone seems to have missed.
	My Journal My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

05-10-2008, 08:54 PM	#11
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,219 Photos: 2	You're a powerlifter though, right Travis? Powerlifters have all the reason in the world to bench.
	My Journal My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

05-10-2008, 09:00 PM	#12
Travis Bell Westside Bencher Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: United States Posts: 170	yes I am, but my pec development hasn't suffered at all as a result was my point. that said though I understand what you're saying. If my goal was only to achieve hypertrophy, I wouldn't train the same way.
	AtLargeNutrition - Support the company that supports strength!

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