Who Else Keeps Their Head off the Bench When Pressing?

[Michael K. Scott]

I know, I know its suppose to be bad....

When I bench this way though, I can lift more weight and reps.

Also I have a problem in my left shoulder, and doing it this way gives me no pain, opposed to keeping my head on the bench.(flat bench)

Anyone else do the same?

[s2h]

I know, I know its suppose to be bad....

When I bench this way though, I can lift more weight and reps.

Also I have a problem in my left shoulder, and doing it this way gives me no pain, opposed to keeping my head on the bench.(flat bench)

Anyone else do the same?

if you are lifting your head thats not fully benefical to your pecs...it takes the stress of the negative and gives you momentum on the press..lightn the wieght and keep your head flat...

[Michael K. Scott]

Like I said keeping my head flat on the bench when doing barbell bench hurts my shoulders too much.

I still hit the chest nicely and usually go slow

[s2h]

Like I said keeping my head flat on the bench when doing barbell bench hurts my shoulders too much.

I still hit the chest nicely and usually go slow

then dont bench...

[Iron8]

Nah I always keep my head down. I don't make myself it just wants to stay down on its own.

Do dumbells do the same thing to your shoulder? If not go with them

[hatefulONE]

Only thing I get from lifting my head is a trap/neck tightness that lasts for days. Keep your head down. Reason you lift more weight is you are involving your lats more like a powerlifting style bench rather a completely pectoral focused bb style bench. Read up on using your lats to bench and you should be able to put up bigger numbers and keep your head down.

[JohnBoy]

I haven't done flat bench in a while due to my shoulder, I usually stick with Incline and decline presses only and my chest is one of the most developed parts on my body.

Other than that, the last time I lifted my head off the bench on flat, I pulled somehting in my back and was in pain for a few days.

[Michael K. Scott]

well i tried lifting with my head kept on the bench last week, and my chest did not get at stimulated or big.

i guess with my awkward the position of my left shoulder...keepin my head of the bench really gets my chest fully stretched and contracted without causing injury also.

I even did flat db presses and same thing!!

[old man dave]

Pushing your head into the bench as you grind out your last reps is terrible for your neck. It will reduce the natural curve causing problems in the future. I am not saying dont do it just watch how hard you push your head back.

[retwa]

Good way to strain your neck..

[bjo12]

I Noticed many people actually keep their head up, facing the front when doing Flat Bench (Speaking DBs) I never knew why they did this. I also noticed lots of Pros use a strange grip

2:57 if you guys notice his palms nearly facing together? Rather facing in front?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycTp2P_TxUw