Board presses for size

[Diabetic Muscle]

I know this contradicts what board presses were intended for but I was wondering if any non-powerlifting guys use board presses. I can't seem to flat bench without wrecking my shoulders. If I go down touch my chest and back up for about 3 sets my shoulders hurt for a week. I would like to try these with a 2 board to just take the very bottom out of the movement. Any help or ideas?

[Demorak]

I know this contradicts what board presses were intended for but I was wondering if any non-powerlifting guys use board presses. I can't seem to flat bench without wrecking my shoulders. If I go down touch my chest and back up for about 3 sets my shoulders hurt for a week. I would like to try these with a 2 board to just take the very bottom out of the movement. Any help or ideas?

I have the same problem...I have long arms ...I go down to about 3 inches above my chest doing it this way I can use more weight and it actuallly feels like I train my chest and not wrecking my shoulders.

[Diabetic Muscle]

I said screw it why not, I bought the wood and will be making/trying them out today. I will report back with what I think and if I think they have any merit for bodybuilding.

[Diabetic Muscle]

So I made a 2 board and 3 board, didn't see much point in a 4 or 5 for what I'm trying to accomplish. I'll be the first one to say this would have been much easier with 2 spotters instead of one. I tucked the long board underneath my belt and made due. I would say my 1 rep max is 225 or 235.
135x12
135x5 2board
185x3 2 board
225x4 2 board
245 x3 2 board
275x1 3 board

I just wanted to see what the 3 board felt like, not a whole lot of chest involvement with the 3 board so probably won't use it too much. I liked the 2 board feel, no shoulder pain, felt good on the chest. I might try a 3in board to see how it feels. Overall I think I will incorporate them for a month or so to see if I grow in size or just strength.

[DICE]

keep ur elbows in.

[Diabetic Muscle]

keep ur elbows in.

For the board presses or just in general? I keep the bar low and try to keep my elbows tucked when I do normal flat bench. It just always seemed to kill my shoulders and I haven't really progressed.

Here is a video I posted a little while back asking people to critique my form.

[DICE]

imo, just keep ur elbows tighter to ur body . They flare out a bit much.

[DICE]

Another thing, don't believe the hype about using the smith for your benching. Works great when u have shoulder problems. For some reason a barbell bench hurts mine, yet dumbell presses do not...Neither do smith presses.

[Diabetic Muscle]

Thanks I'll give that a try. I'm a big fan of smith incline and decline presses.

[crashcrew56]

I would also suggest keeping your elbows tucked in a little more, and DBs help with shoulder problems too, I like to hold them at a 45 degree angle if my shoulders are giving me trouble

[Por2gue]

Besides your elbows, your laying pretty flat on the bench also, arch some raise that chest a little. You want as much scapula on the bench so bring your scapula together.