I have a quick question about bench pressing- Is it necessary to go all the way down? Whenever I go touch the bar to my chest, I feel like my shoulders come all the way down, and I have been bringing the bar about 3 inches from my chest. I put up the same amount of weight either way, so it’s not an ego thing. I’d appreciate it if anyone could provide some insight on this matter
don’t you feel the difference in the pec muscles when you go all the way down. I love the stretch. I don’t do barbell because i don’t get enough of a stretch. I use dumbells for my chest workouts to get more of a stretch and to work more stabilizers. laters pk
word of the wise-- it can be dangerous to go too much further down than what you would do with a reg barbell. Like at elitefts, they sell a 4in cambered bar, but say only go down an extra inch or two, no more than that because its very hard on the shoulder capsule.
I think its important to go all the way down, otherwise, you simply aren’t getting the full effect of the exercise. To put it in perspective, consider what your response to the question would be with respect to any other exercise you are doing. If you can’t do a full range of motion, have someone watch to make sure your form is correct and lower the weight until you can do a full range.