Question on Decline Work for Chest

[Lynn M.]

Hi -

I was talking to a couple of competitive bodybuilders at the gym I go to last week about various exercises they do for chest.

I asked them how much chest work ( flys/ presses) they do on a decline bench and their response was never. When I asked them why, they said it can actually pull your pecs down, making it look like your chest area goes down ( think saggy boobs) One of the guys who trains women for bodybuilding said they never ever have women do decline bench work, only flat and incline bench work for this reason.

Anybody ever heard of this? I've been incorporating decline work in my chest program for a couple of years now and am wondering taking these out of the rotation would help things look, uh, a bit more perky.

Thanks in advance for any info you might have to share.

Lynn M.

 

[morningstar]

I hadn't heard that, but I'd also never heard anyone recommend doing them either.

 

[syzygy314]

Yes! My personal trainer also told me never to do decline presses for the chest for the same reason. This was years ago, but I'm sure nothing about that has changed. She said only flat and incline presses are necessary.

 

[LauraMax]

I've never used the decline bench. Not for the reasons you've heard, although it might just be a different way of stating the argument. I've heard decline presses work a very small part of the pecs--basically only the inner pecs, betw. your boobs, which could be why there's no benefit to keeping the girls perky--so they're just not worth the time. Regular bench press, incline press & flies are more than enough for your chest routine.

 

[Lynn M.]

Hi there-

Thanks for the input... looks like the advice I received is accurate, I knew I could count on my "cathe-pals!"

So, would decline pushups need to leave the routine as well? The ones where you put your feet on a step or bench to execute the move?

Lynn M.

 

[fitat49]

Dont mean to be stupid, but what are decline chest?

 

[pepnchar]

I can't believe I have never heard of this before -- and I almost always include a set or two of decline bench presses just because I love how they feel. I really feel stronger in the decline rather than the incline. But now, maybe I'll lay off them. Not that I have much in the boob department anyway...

 

[syzygy314]

I can't believe I have never heard of this before -- and I almost always include a set or two of decline bench presses just because I love how they feel. I really feel stronger in the decline rather than the incline. But now, maybe I'll lay off them. Not that I have much in the boob department anyway...

I have a decent amount of boobs, but they have been giving in to gravity for a while now! No decline presses for me!

Tricia

 

[pace1987]

Dont mean to be stupid, but what are decline chest?

It is when the bench in not flat but down on an angle, here is a picture of it what it looks like http://www.bench-press.net/images/newexercises/ryan/03declinesmithpress2.jpg

HTH

 

[fitat49]

It is when the bench in not flat but down on an angle, here is a picture of it what it looks like http://www.bench-press.net/images/newexercises/ryan/03declinesmithpress2.jpg

HTH

Oh yeah! I can't do those anyways. Thanks, Barbara!

 

[kathryn]

So, would decline pushups need to leave the routine as well? The ones where you put your feet on a step or bench to execute the move?

If you think about it, decline push-ups are more like incline presses (just imagine your position flipped over, and you'll see what I mean). For a push-up to replicate a decline press, you'd have to have your upper body elevated and at an angle.

 

[Lynn M.]

Doh.. that is true... although when I do a decline pushup, I don't feel like it hits the same muscles as an incline press . ( Which may be because you are incorporating alot more shoulder, back, and arm work into a pushup than you would in a press.)

Lynn