BodyMax barbell question

[eminenz2]

I managed to make it all the way through BodyMax for the first time. I did the best I could although there is a lot of room for improvement!

Here is my question. When I was doing the bench presses with the barbell, I didn't really feel it in my chest at all. I DID feel it in the backs of my arms though, and could hardly do any push-ups afterwards because my arms were exhausted.

I can usually do pushups otherwise. What am I doing wrong? How can I feel this exercise in my chest area and not my arms?

Thanks in advance.

Susan G.

 

[honeybunch]

During the down phase of the movement, make sure you don't let your arms go down past the step. The bench press DOES recruit tricep and shoulder muscles along with chest muscles, so naturally you'll fell it in the back of your arms.

Make sure your barbell is lined up over your mid-chest line, and try to concentrate on squeezing your chest muscles when you push the barbell up.

Bodymax is a tough tape, and it's hard to do those pushups after you've gone through that tough aerobic section! Don't feel bad if the pushups are tough!

 

[eminenz2]

Honeybunch,

Thanks for the tips.

When you say midline of the chest, do you mean an imaginary line that goes across the chest through the breasts?

As I get a little stronger, am I likely to feel it more in my chest and less in my triceps and shoulders?

Just making sure.

Thanks again!

Susan G.

 

[Stacy]

Yes, that's exactly what is meant by bringing the bar down to the midline of your chest. I also can feel work more in my chest if I position my hands farther apart on the barbell.

Stacy

 

[junemom]

I also notice I feel it more in my chest if I'm really mindful not to let my wrists collapse, and keep my knuckles pointing at the ceiling through the whole movement.

Christine

 

[wendyloo]

Me, too. And to do that, my elbows are not really pointed directly out to the sides, but slightly more towards the front of the room (does that make sense?!) Cathe really seems to go down too deep when I watch her--she always talks about not letting your elbows drop below the level of your step, but she does that herself. (She even comments in another tape that she is guilty of that, so I'm not being critical, just noticed it...)
Wendy

 

[eminenz2]

These are all excellent tips. I'll keep them in mind the next time I do the tape.

Thanks for the advice!

Susan G.