Is there any benefit to doing reverse-grip bench. I notice that a lot of heavy lifters use this technique (Anthony Clarke), but I find it pretty awkward. Is it worth my while trying it every now and then, or, seeing as my body doesn’t seem to want to move that way, should I just stay with my regular grip. I’m trying to work my way up to a double body-weight bench, but that means I’ve got to find about fifty bloody pounds, and I’m looking at anything that’ll find a sneaky pound or two. Any views? Cheers in advance.
It’s a great tricep move, so I believe Powerlifters use it to strengthen their triceps.
For the great majority of bench pressers
the reverse grip will not allow as much
weight as the normal grip. So I wouldn’t
look at it from that standpoint.
I do like doing it as triceps training though,
after doing close-grip bench presses. I’d
look at it more in that light, as an assistance
exercise for the tris.
Guys- So you’d recommend splitting it with triceps rather than chest, or is it worth doing at all? Is there just as much benefit from the close grip bench, or heavy French presses for the Tris and leave it out of the chest altogether?
the only 2 cathes are that a) hard on some people’s shoulders b) easier to drop the weight, you drop it you die.
If you are on a split where you train
chest only once per week, then it would
make good sense to do reverse grip benches
3-4 days later in your triceps workout.
Personally I train chest twice per week
so that means triceps are trained same
day as chest.
Reverse grip benches don’t hit the tris
the same as close grip – I think the long
head works much harder in the reverse grip.
It’s not a NECESSARY triceps exercise but
it’s a good one.