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Wide Grip Bench Press

snoopy13 Posts: 239 Joined: 2003/11/15	2004/11/18, 04:04 PM On Monday I tried this exercise for a 6rm. My hands where placed outside of the power rings on the barbell. I would say about 48 inches or more out on the bar. I found this to be really hard. Is this normal for a very wide grip to be more difficult?
benching Posts: 125 Joined: 2004/03/14	2004/11/18, 07:02 PM from what i have heard it makes perfect sense for it to be harder. as from wat ive read, wide grip would be more of a "bodybuiling grip" in which u use ur chest more then with a closer or normal grip in which u bring in other muscles such as ur triceps and shoulders to help a lil more. be careful tho cuz to wide a grip could injure ur shoulders. if im wrong here anyone jump in and correct me
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2004/11/18, 09:54 PM Usually the "easiest" form is to have your arms parallel to each other at the bottom of your bench, so yes, a wide grip would be more "difficult". However, it targets different muscle groups. -------------- Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even. steve
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/11/19, 12:48 PM I do wide grip cause it targets chest more so, that being so if my "chest bench "( wide) get better, then when i move my arms in for "powerlifting style" it should be higher cause my chest is stronger. Dunno if that right but thats what I would think. -------------- The following, has not be approved by the FDA or FT, it was not meant to diagnose,treat,or prevent any diease(s) Please consult a moderator or doctor before using any of the suggestions or comments.
snoopy13 Posts: 239 Joined: 2003/11/15	2004/11/19, 01:58 PM Thanks for the responses guys. I agree with all of you. I have been talking to alot of different people and the also think it is harder.
	2004/11/19, 02:47 PM wrestler what do u mean by 'Usually the "easiest" form is to have your arms parallel to each other at the bottom of your bench' That's the case from close grip, to a fairly wide grip.... Powerlifting grip is usually between normal and close grip...some of the best powerlifters rely mostly on their triceps to move the weight... This is a good way to train chest, but it will not necessarily help you move more weight...or not most efficiently...this is 'good' in terms of bodybuilding aspect...of keying in on your chest...
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/11/19, 03:56 PM alot also depends on arm length too, longer arms need ot be a lil further out, if not you have further to "lockout" I seen some impresive maxes down with wide grip, just cause the range is shorter. -------------- The following, has not be approved by the FDA or FT, it was not meant to diagnose,treat,or prevent any diease(s) Please consult a moderator or doctor before using any of the suggestions or comments.
blue77 Posts: 182 Joined: 2004/10/10	2004/11/20, 12:26 AM The wider the grip the easier,because you dont have to push as far up,good for the outer chest muscles,but takes away from the triceps and shoulders,its probably a little to hard on the rotator cuff,any hows carry on soldier.
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2004/11/20, 09:27 PM What I mean is that it is usually the most efficient grip for most people. Most people find that they can do more weight with that kind of grip and it is the generally accepted correct form. Hope this helps -------------- Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even. steve
snoopy13 Posts: 239 Joined: 2003/11/15	2004/11/25, 11:50 AM Gator, I would like to hear you opinion on this exercise, if you get a chance. I personally still think its harder, but blue77 makes a good point, the range of motion is shorter. On the other hand, I heard that this exercise takes the delts out of the lift and places the stress mostl on the triceps. Is this true?
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/11/25, 11:58 AM wide grip would ingage more chest i would think. -------------- The following, has not be approved by the FDA or FT, it was not meant to diagnose,treat,or prevent any diease(s) Please consult a moderator or doctor before using any of the suggestions or comments.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/11/25, 12:00 PM Kinda like wide stance squats, I would THINK, it has its uses for strengthing certain ascepts of a lift -------------- The following, has not be approved by the FDA or FT, it was not meant to diagnose,treat,or prevent any diease(s) Please consult a moderator or doctor before using any of the suggestions or comments.
snoopy13 Posts: 239 Joined: 2003/11/15	2004/11/26, 06:04 PM I don't know what to think. I did 275lbs close grip bench for 5 good reps without a spot and wide grip I only do 6 with 275lbs. That was a few weeks ago though. I feel I am getting stronger every week. Thanks for the response Bigandrew.
qessar3 Posts: 4 Joined: 2005/10/23	2006/02/15, 07:02 PM wide grip is easier because your chest muscles are stronger then your triceps whichmakes it easir to do. and chest muscles are large muscle groups to which triceps are small
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2006/02/15, 09:46 PM Well that would make sense unless your triceps were stronger than your pectorals respectively. Which is the case for many individuals, myself included. Train your WEAKNESSES, not what you think is easier. And train YOUR weaknesses, not what someone tells you should be weak. -------------- Iron and chalk. Pain is only temporary, it is in your mind. If you can still walk, then you can still run.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/02/16, 01:27 PM amen -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.