Do you do decline bench press?

[Chicago Made]

I've been told it's not even worth the time spent doing them.

Do they work the lower chest?

 

[motawa]

Im sure they work for the lower chest, if thats what your asking for.

Its not one of my primary exercises i do, and i dont usually try to max with weights on it, and it is probably the worst bench press type that places tons of stress on the tris rather than the pecs.

 

[JayC]

Use to years ago but had numerous vet's tell (and show me) how it's not even worth it. Weighted dips (leaning slightly forward) would be a much better alternative. works great for tri's and chest. Every now and then I'll do my DB fly's on a slight decline just to vary the movement and secondary muscles used.

 

[Drako]

I still do them now and again just to mix it up, but I found dips to be better for myself also. Cant say Ive tried decline flyes tho JayC might give em a go.

 

[windshield]

I use it as a functional movement to bring up a weakness when necessary. Decline puts all the focus on the chest, so if your shoulders and/or tris are the strongest part of your bench and your chest is holding back progress, decline will help out.

 

[BIGFOOD]

i've done maybe less than ten sets of decline in the last 5 yrs. or so and i seem to develop all around size with flat, incline, flies, and dips..decline just feels awkward to me.

 

[Thoms]

They used to be one of my favorite exercises, although I hardly ever do them now since my new gym doesn't have appropriate equipment. People can talk all they want about it's uselessness, doing decline bench and seeing the weights go up every week is just sweet.

 

[tman55]

They used to be one of my favorite exercises, although I hardly ever do them now since my new gym doesn't have appropriate equipment. People can talk all they want about it's uselessness, doing decline bench and seeing the weights go up every week is just sweet.

agreed. decline work has increased my bench press.

 

[bigmitch69]

I love them. Once you've mastered how too not slide down the bench its great. But i only decline bench when training at home (local gym doesn't have correct equipment)

 

[pineapple]

I've been told it's not even worth the time spent doing them.

Do they work the lower chest?

Lots of fly's, fly's work the entire chest.

 

[reality44]

I know a guy who had shoulder pain , and did declines exclusively as they didn't hurt his shoulders. His chest didn't improve very much but his triceps were huge.

 

[maverickLA]

Can't say i'm a fan. Never saw any gain from them, seems to put the shoulders in an awkward position. Considering your anatomy - the majority of the other exercises suggested would be more benefit to your chest.