How important is bench press?

ouselesso · 2016-06-27T23:16:19+00:00

The cable is way more isolated, yes. However nothing replaces the bench press. The incline bench press is a must for upper chest, nothing replaces it.

nastynickdr · 2016-06-27T23:24:08+00:00

bench press is one of, if not the best, upper body exercise. Cable fly is an isolation exercise and is not a replacement for it.

chaseemall · 2016-06-28T00:49:33+00:00

You can get the same look with other lifts. But for your ego, it's second only to deadlift.

Honestly, part of why lifting is so important is because of what it does to the male ego. Lifting heavy shit is good for you psychologically. It makes you feel like more of a man. If you listen to your body on when to back off, and keep working on your technique, always seeking to improve, then you shouldn't have to concern yourself overmuch with injury.

Refigerator1043 · 2016-06-28T02:21:02+00:00

If you're going to do it you should do it the way powerlifters do, to avoid getting injured. That means tucked elbows, arched back, butt on bench, etc. Don't be that idiot benching with a flat back, ass a foot off the bench, and elbows at a 90 degree angle while he bounces the weight off his sternum. That's asking for an injury. And don't use a thumbless grip unless you're willing to risk dropping the weight on your neck.

Unless you're training for powerlifting, I don't think you lose anything by just doing overhead press and dips. You also don't need a spotter for those lifts, which makes it a lot easier to do if you train alone. I lift at a powerlifting gym so I bench because there's always someone around to train with and spot me, but if I trained alone I probably wouldn't bother with it.

I don't like flies because it seems like an extremely unnatural movement that puts a lot of stress on your shoulders/pecs.

TrumpRules2016 · 2016-06-27T22:18:32+00:00

Bench press is way better than cable fly. Bench press works your whole chest and triceps and you can use more weight.

WeDontLoveEm · 2016-06-27T22:34:20+00:00

You need to bench press. It's a compound movement that is better for you than cable flies. If you get hurt barbell benching, try using dumbbells.

O_Son · 2016-06-28T00:52:50+00:00

Cable flys are something which you'll never encounter in real life, you'll never be pinned under a pile of cables where the only way out is through grabbing two cables which are attached to weights and pulling them in opposite directions will free you. The cable fly is the ultimate isolation exercise, you're essentially pulling a cable in a set direction- this is night and day when you compare this to the bench press.

The bench press can be performed in a multitude of ways, there is a proper form but it's much more like being pinned under a car or tractor or rock. Yes, this is not a completely natural movement compared to squats or deadlifts because the weight is centered over your chest but it's a lot better than purely isolation exercises like cable presses.

I fucked up my shoulders by doing dumbbell flies too much in my early 20s, I think cables flies are probably similar but not quite as bad.

dabrah1 · 2016-06-28T03:02:14+00:00

I moved to an apartment complex that has a free fitness center, no bench press. My chest is fine. Just do dumbbell presses and different variations of push ups.

WeTheAwakened · 2016-06-28T04:20:41+00:00

Nothing... You're probably benching with shot form and technique. YouTube search "Physiques of greatness scapular retraction" and Omar Isuf bench technique.

GayLubeOil · 2016-06-28T08:27:00+00:00

It's hard to say. If you have long ass arms you will get more chest stimulation on flies. Bench press can be hard to focus in the chest. Depending on your anatomy you might be using your front delt.

Blaat1985 · 2016-06-28T10:28:32+00:00

Dumbbell presses are better for muscle growth.

Title	How important is bench press?
Author	Throwaway244555
Upvotes	12
Comments	22
Date	June 27, 2016 10:17 PM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/4q6170/how_important_is_bench_press/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/how-important-is-bench-press.107531 https://theredarchive.com/post/107531

Comments