bench press variation

[Jemal]

I'm training with this guy, and he really knows what hes talking about, i just thought I'd get some opinions on this one thing.
For bench press he lowers the bar to just about his collar bone. He says it stretches your chest better, and i forget what else. Anyone heard of this, or do it, or just have opinions? Definately need a spotter and go slow and easy with this one.

 

[Arnold]

The only thing I see that doing is stressing your shoulders, it's really not necessary. There is a relatively small "window" in which the pecs need to be trained/moved, the whole "stretch" thing is overrated, and unnecessary in my opinion.
I have always lowered the bar to right around the nipple area.

 

[Mudge]

Even going to the nipple nukes my shoulders when I go heavy, I go high on the chest for incline. For flat bench I go BELOW the chest.

If you want to stretch your chest, get dumbells, do dips, and finish with pec dec or flyes.

 

[Arnold]

Why does anyone even think it's necessary to "stretch" a muscle to cause hypertrophy?

not sure where this came about.

 

[Mudge]

Think to yourself also, a guy that has read a few mags can sound educated to someone who knows nothing. Not saying that is how he is, I have no idea - but think logically. If I can recite and spout off articles, doesn't mean I know my stuff really.

 

[Fit Freak]

OK...I would avoid doing this unless you're looking to tear your shoulder or do some damage to your rotator cuff muscles.

Also....you're going to use more of the front deltoid muscles using this variation...bench pressing is primarily used to develop the pectorals...so why no save your shoulders for shoulder presses!

Also...I TOTALLY agree with Prince...the entire stretch thing...nonesense for the most part...most people that quote those theories read too many articles from FLEX....and no very little about anatomy & physiology!

MY RECOMMENDATION...stick to lowering the w8 to the nipple region or just below!

 

[tjwes]

Vince Gironda advocated this a long time ago, also advising people to do declines to the neck.You have to use a much lighter weight than normally, and it is supposed to isolate the pecs more, in Vince`s opinion not mine.

 

[Freeman]

Agreed. Major risk of shoulder injury with this idea. Not worth it IMO.

 

[Mudge]

I go about midway on the incline, I have been guilty of using the smith though when doing so much of the time. I get a bit more direct stim from feeling though when using dumbells.

 

[olusco]

All the above is correct. Variations all the time will shock the chest. Using below or parallel to nipples are necessary to hit all the chest region.