Decline bench press is usually ignore by many gym goers while people usually do flat bench and mostly flies for their chest.There is also a myth that doing decline bench press may flatten your chest but in reality doing Decline Bench will maybe be more beneficial than the standard Bench Press which will build chest strength and chest size.(ALSO SEE 3 reasons why your bench is weak).
I will outline benefits of decline bench press, disadvantages and how to perform this type of bench press in 2022.
Benefits
- Pecs getting activated.
Performing this type of bench press at the gym usually targets and puts focus on the lower pecs compared to doing flat barbell bench press.
This does not mean that you do not use your pecs on the flat and incline bench press but doing incline and flat bench doesn’t put that much focus on your lower pecs then decline. It is also a good thing to change exercises around in the gym to see progress in growth and strength to your chest muscle which will have a positive effect on your chest strength and size.
- Reduces stress on shoulders and back.
The bench press puts the least amount of pressure or stress on your shoulders to a lesser degree then flat bench and back since pecs are mostly targeted.
Usually with flat barbell bench press there is pressure on the mid back and should which could lead too shoulder pain or back pain in the long run when doing flat bench press for chest.
- Activates your triceps.
Decline bench press focuses on your triceps and your lower pecs muscles ,making a choice todo decline bench press over flat bench press may definitely be the way to go.
Some other benefits press are:
- Better posture.
- Better chest definition.
- Increase in strength
steps:
- Set the bench or find a bench that set to 15 to 30 degrees on a decline.
- Lay on that bench that is 15 to 30 degrees on a decline setting your hands just outside of your shoulders and your feet firmly gripped under the supporting pads.
- N ext start by Squeezing your shoulder blades together and driving them flat on the decline bench and also your back should be flat on the decline bench.
- Your palms should be rotated straight with the barbell.
- Breath in as you unrack the barbell with the weights.
- When the bar comes close or touching your chest inhale as you push up exhale.
WARNING
-Always get someone to spot or support you when you are decline bench press.
-Always do a weight you comfortable with or the weights could hit your neck or head if the bar comes down when the weights are too heavy for you which could cause serious damage.
Disadvantages
Despite the fact that the lowered position of the decline bench press has intentions of boasting your range of motion, you can stunt that range if your grip is too wide.
Take this rule into account, your forearms should be pretty much vertical at the bottom of a rep, with the hand or arm passing above the level of the shoulder grip for standard decline bench press.
The bench press activates the anterior deltoids (front shoulder muscles) but usually doing declined press will maybe not focus that much on deltoids.
The Main downside of decline is that it takes time to get used to the exercise since the 15 to 30 degree angle adjustment is required which is not the most comfortable position that you will ever do an exercise at the gym.
The muscles that A Decline Bench Press Work
Several muscles are activated when doing this bench press which are:
Triceps
These muscle are located at the back of your upper arm which is used to extend the forearms.
They are mostly used a lot when doing decline bench press which strengthens them and allows you to perform better at other exercises in the future when it comes to working out your triceps.
Pectoralis
That Muscle is located in your upper chest which includes both the upper and lower parts of the chest area.That is what makes decline so unique and different is that bit works the entire pectoral major.
Anterior Deltoid
These muscles are located in front of the shoulders. Many bodybuilders and athletes discovered that conditioning and activating this muscle allows you to use up less energy and avoid injury in their day to day activities and at the gym which is a bonus.
By strengthening your shoulders you will avoid injuries and be able to lift heavier weights at the gym.
Variations and alternatives of decline bench press
You do not need a barbell to do decline bench there are variations that i will show and explain to you.
Using dumbbells for decline for decline bench
This type is very similar to the barbell decline bench but only each hand works independently holding the dumbbells in your separate hands.
Always start with light dumbbells to get comfortable with this exercise because this type of decline bench press is more dangerous then using the barbell.
Using decline bench press machine
There might be a supportive machine where you can do decline bench which is a safer choice where you just move your bench under the machine and put on the desire plate weights on the barbells attached to the machine with support of side rails.
Verdict
Decline bench presses causes excellent overall activation of the pecs compared to doing incline bench and also makes your lifts on your f;at bench stronger.
