barbell bench press

[lynnfjacobs]

On the barbell bench press should the wrists be completely unbent, with the back of the hand parallel to the forearm? I know that Cathe says to have your knuckles up to the ceiling, but which knuckles are these, the ones at the base of the hand or the middle of the fingers? I have trouble not bending my wrists at all. Thanks for the help.

 

[slnewmanpt]

Hi! Yes, you are supposed to keep your wrists completely unbent with you middle knuckles towards the ceiling. This doesn't sound like a very "educated" answer, but I hope it helps!!

Sherry

 

[Maribeth]

The wrists should be in neutral to avoid placing undue stress on the ligaments, tendons and joint surfaces during all resistance exercises, unless you are specifically working the wrists.
Maribeth

 

[francesca]

What exactly does neutral mean? I always thought that the top of the hand should be in a straight line with your arm, but neutral for me implies that the top of your hand iis at about a 160 ish degree with the back of your arm - if that makes sense it is how my hands stay without trying....