Anyone not like flat pressing for chest?

[Chris Rodgers]

I used to love it and was always worried about how much I lifted, but now I only like the flat bench every once in a while. BB or DB, it doesn't matter, I prefer inclines by far. I think my chest workout is now going to consist of Inclines(bb or db) and then weighted dips. Maybe every fourth workout I'll try some flat bench.Don't get me wrong, I would still like to move big poundages on flat bench, I just don't like the movement much. Guess I'm not your average lifter. Anyone else?

[Buff]

Why, don't you like it? Not feeling it? I find that if I switch BB to DB every 4th week, I begin to feel it more. I think I'm moving to incline before flat strictly though because I hate it too, LOL, but I think it's needed.

[Paul Stagg]

I never liked flat benching until I started to get good at it. Go figure.

I prefer other movements. I would much rather do an incline DB press, a dip, and a flye.

But, since I want to compete as a PLer, I have to do flat bench.

If you are not going to compete in a benching or PLing contest, there is no reason to keep it in your routine if there is something you like better.

[Joe Black]

I think most people who don't like flat bench or are weak at it still do it because it is a popular exercise...

Everyone likes to be able to throw some serious weight on the bar and flat press it..

For me I consider incline dumbell press a better exercise. I feel it more and I am much stronger at it.. BUT I am not gonna give up on flat and am determined to build up to a respectable weight on it :)

[Cackerot69]

i don't like them.

incline DB's are my fav.

[Shadowman]

I always use 30 degree inclines whenever I bench, I'll only ever do flat when I'm testing out my maxes. But conversly I much prefer to use dbells on the flat to an incline, no idea why, may just be habit.

[kAto]

i used to not enjoy flat bench. but i learned a way that allows me to hit my upper pecs doing flat, and ever since then, i love them. my tech id to lower the bar onto your upper pec area, as opposed to the middle or lower portion. this i found hits my upper pecs like nothing else. i also stick my chest out, and try to stretch my pec minor horzontaly with my elbows as i lift. it doesnt work for everybody but its definately my fav.

[chris mason]

If you don't like flat bench, you should use decline bench. Of all the pressing movements for the chest it comes closest to mimicking the primary function of the pectoralis major; pulling the arms across the chest and downward. All of the stuff about upper, lower etc. you can forget about. You can only make the muscle as a whole grow larger, not in portions. Dips are also excellent.

[Chris Rodgers]

I hate declines even more. I like dips though.

[The Canadian Oak]

im with cack on this i love incline db press

[ElaborateBurn]

I understand you guys. When I started lifting, the flat bench bb seemed to be the hardest and the exercise I made least progression in. When I performed incline (bb or db) I felt it 'hit' me more. It was just that pumped feeling thay so many love to get. I realised that doing flat bench bb puts mass on your pecs without you realising it. I still do incline as a contributary but FLAT is the way to go...for me anyway.

[Scotty the Body]

Hehe, I love flat, not that I'm pushing any great weight but I love it.
I just started doing incline befor flat and have noticed flat works much better that way. I feel it ALL in my pecs now and not so much in my shoulders and tri's.
My weight dropped a bit doing it Incline first but the burn in the pecs is much better.

[The Old Man]

I like to start with db inclines and then do regular bench press. In fact it is one of my favorite exercises to do.

Use strict form and worry about the weight later.

[Maki Riddington]

I like incline barbell and dumbell presses.

[Todd]

I prefer to use barbells for my chest workout and usually do flat before incline. With incline I always get that great burn in my chest even when my form gets a little sloppy. But with flat my outer biceps (right below the shoulder) always seem to get hit harder than my chest.

[Albert]

Bench Pressing is probably not the single best chest exercise, but there is something unAmerican (no offense Canadians & others)about not doing them. For me, its a critical compound movement that helps me with my military presses, squats, arm movements, chins, etc. Technique and the proper motivator (mine is getting 405 up this year) are probably your problems, you gotta get over 315 before they are any fun and you start feeling good about it. Here is a great guide to help you with the Bench Press:

http://www.testosterone.net/html/body_115b600.html

[breeze]

Hey Albert you made this statment "Bench Pressing is probably not the single best chest exercise." I always thought the opposite. What is the singular best exercise for chest?

[Albert]

Let me qualify my answer a little. It is the best compound movement that involves your chest, but there are too many variables to say it is the best pec development exercise (grip, technique, tricep/shoulder strength, arm length,etc.). Here's the fuzzy area: you will probably not reach your ultimate pec development potential without Bench pressing a lot--however, flat dumbbell presses, flyes, some say incline presses, & a few others actually work your chest more directly.

Moral: you need both, but, in my opinion, you cannot neglect bench pressing if you are trying to make sizeable overall gains because it is one of the main core compound movements (DL, Squats, Military, Chins, Bench...)that compliment one another in bringing you that bodybuilder's balanced physique and making you stronger.

Here is what made the difference for me--I screwed around for years doing a lot of chest flyes and a little benching because I had a small chest, some iso-curls for the spaghetti arms, etc. One day some guy noticed I had the will but not the answer and told me, don't touch another fly until your reppin 225 on the bench. He looked like Arnold Schwarzenagger and I looked like Arnold Palmer so I took his advice. I mapped out a Periodization schedule, mixed in some DB presses & went to work. I discoved military's and Squats helped me bench more, DL and Chins helped me squat & military more and before I knew it the Arnold guy was coming to me for answers---it transformed me, a true Hardgainer. Like a lot of people I just wanted a bigger chest and some biceps, but I got a lot more, a hell of a lot quicker forgetting about the body parts and focusing on getting stronger and stronger on the compound movements.

[FrickenHuge]

My hope is that people realize the importance of these core exercises and learn to do them correctly...then do them.

Most people say they want certain results, but don't follow the advice that will get them there.

Good advice Albert

FH

[Chris Rodgers]

Funny how I only posted this a month ago and yet my chest routine is now focused on progressing on my flat bench! I guess I always change my mind. I still do the incline db's too.:D