Decline bench... needed or not?

[Chicago Made]

My guy who used to compete said he has never done declines (even when he was competeing) and they are unneccessary.

Your guys thoughts?

 

[roccodart440]

I don't like them or do them.

 

[evansss]

you dont NEED them persay....and i usually dont do them, ive only recently threw them in my DC training.

 

[AngryMuscles]

dips

 

[Skarhead1]

You dont need them. I find they help out my bench #s however

 

[Eat it or Beat it!!!]

theyre all i do now. havent flat benched in ages

 

[outlawtas]

I don't seem to be able to isolate my pecs with them, so I don't do em. I would definately trade decline for incline ANY day, and almost any pro BB agrees.

 

[Patrick_Bateman]

No need at all, but it can be a nice change of pace.

 

[mister69]

They have their place

 

[Skarhead1]

I don't seem to be able to isolate my pecs with them, so I don't do em. I would definately trade decline for incline ANY day, and almost any pro BB agrees.

you cant isolate your pecs in ANY compound movement.... hence the name compound movement.

 

[Rokomuscle1]

I use them when my shoulders get achy.... it definately takes the stress off of them...and I recall reading a while back somewhere that declines actually work the pec muscle harder than inclines or flat bench..... I think it was talked about here a while back....

 

[BiggerthanLavar]

They have their place

exactly, I use it as a change up from dips or weighted dips.

 

[Mudge]

I can't do dips or declines anymore with any kind of respectable weight without hurting my shoulders. They do hit the triceps quite hard if you are looking for that kind of workout.

 

[bleachcola]

I use them when my shoulders get achy.... it definately takes the stress off of them...and I recall reading a while back somewhere that declines actually work the pec muscle harder than inclines or flat bench..... I think it was talked about here a while back....

Yeah, awhile back there was a clip about it in Men's Health. They hooked guys up with electrodes to see which exercises hit the pecs hardest (most muscle fiber used). Decline dumbbell press outperformed all of them. But take that for what it is worth and be careful not to jump to any conclusions.

 

[parrish]

I can't do dips or declines anymore with any kind of respectable weight without hurting my shoulders. They do hit the triceps quite hard if you are looking for that kind of workout.

Mudge you seem to be a power type could they increase reps & weights max??
Have not done them in 10yrs but might throw them in my next chest workout!
Also have you ever done 100's??
or 3 sets of 30+ reps & would they help?

 

[outlawtas]

I use them when my shoulders get achy.... it definately takes the stress off of them...and I recall reading a while back somewhere that declines actually work the pec muscle harder than inclines or flat bench..... I think it was talked about here a while back....

I have read that in a couple of magazine, yet almost all pro BB'er say to do inclines.

 

[VICIOUS_BEAST]

Do Them..for Over All Pec. Development..it Wont Hurt...decline Flys Kick Azz....

 

[DocJ]

I can't do dips or declines anymore with any kind of respectable weight without hurting my shoulders. They do hit the triceps quite hard if you are looking for that kind of workout.

....but flat bench doesn't aggravate your shoulders? If so, that's seems opposite of how it should be. The more you abduct and externally rotate your humerus the more stress you're putting on the shoulder joint. Decline should make pressing easier on your shoulders.

 

[dg1483]

yeah i agree with docj....actually reading up before i take my PT test this month and that is something li literally came cross 15 minutes ago

 

[luquillo78]

....but flat bench doesn't aggravate your shoulders? If so, that's seems opposite of how it should be. The more you abduct and externally rotate your humerus the more stress you're putting on the shoulder joint. Decline should make pressing easier on your shoulders.

Agree. Right now I'm recovering from a rotator cuff injury and I can't do any presses but I can do dips or decline better.