I know most people don’t like machines, but i was wondering if anyone had any opinons on the merits of pec decks. Are the worth putting in a work out routine?
Thanks
I personally like cable flyes over the pec deck. You can use all different angles (decline, incline, flat) depending on the bench you use. I also find that cable flyes give you a better stretch and more of a full movement. Not only that but with a pec deck your stuck with a stationary line of movement. Cable flyes alow much more variation in line movement. I like to pre-exhaust my pecs with cable flyes. Then move on to any form of bench press. I think the key word is variation and what you feel is best. Don’t stick to the same exercises, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
What Ron said but would add that with PD one can get really good contraction at the top of the movement by trying to jam the handles together. Kind of like doing a static contraction rep. Sometimes I will add one on the last rep, squeezing the handles until failure.
I’m currently taking a break from the gym and working out at my apt. complex’s fitness center. I am using the HST program and only using machines. The one machine I won’t use is the pec dec. If you have shoulder problems, I think it’s best to stay away from the pec dec. Same goes for smith machine for squats or various presses.
When I worked at a college and had free access to the gym, the pec deck, supersetted with bench press, put that halved look that I always wanted. Other things may work as well or better, but I got great results from it!!
Pec dec is horrible. I’m not even sure why gyms have these things. A good fly machine is best, and cable crossovers work wonders. No pec dec.
I have a big problemwith peck deck and flies machines. There is no enough weight on them. I can do 3X8 with maximal weight easily, so I switched to dumbell flyes they feel much tougher though put some stress on joints.
im not really a fan of the pec deck or cable flies, i like incline flies. however, the pec deck is a good pre-fatigue, maybe doing some 21s on it before incline db press.