Decline/Incline press

**Marks1972** · 13-10-2007 10:12 AM

Noticed from keeping a log for the first time, that im stronger decline pressing than I am incline pressing. On my heavy chest day yesterday at maxed on the following
Flat bench : 100kg x 4
Incline bench : 67.5kg x 5
Decline bench : 90kg x 4

Is this normal? If so, do another set of muscles come into play decline pressing as it feels a lot easier? Or is my incline press just **** and i need to work on it?

AlexTemper · 13-10-2007 10:28 AM

Decline should generally be stronger than incline. I'm unsure as to the exact mechanics as to why this is. I would say that the lower portion of the chest is bigger and has more muscle than upper. Triceps would come into play more with decline which are a stronger group than shoulders which would be used for incline more.

**Marks1972** · 13-10-2007 10:29 AM

Cheers mate, was getting concerned id found a weakness.

AlexTemper · 13-10-2007 10:30 AM

I see you do behind neck press for shoulders in your journal too.

I'd strongly advise against this as it'll only cause injury eventually.

AlexTemper · 13-10-2007 10:33 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by Marks1972

Cheers mate, was getting concerned id found a weakness.

To be honest I would worry about doing declines and maybe move your fly's between flat and incline. You may find incline will improve as you'll not be doing 2 presses in a row.

**Marks1972** · 13-10-2007 10:33 AM

Yeah ive since read on here a few people mention that, so im going to swapping them for seated military press on a smith.

**Marks1972** · 13-10-2007 10:34 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by AlexT

To be honest I would worry about doing declines and maybe move your fly's between flat and incline. You may find incline will improve as you'll not be doing 2 presses in a row.

Nice idea, ill give that a go next week.

AlexTemper · 13-10-2007 10:36 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by Marks1972

Nice idea, ill give that a go next week.

You can always do weighted dips leaning forward with a wider grip to hit lower chest and also use it as part of your tricep workout.

Pushing good numbers too.

Rilla · 13-10-2007 10:38 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by AlexT

You can always do weighted dips leaning forward with a wider grip to hit lower chest and also use it as part of your tricep workout.

Pushing good numbers too.

Do the diiiiiiips! Awesome exercise...

**Marks1972** · 13-10-2007 10:42 AM

I have a problem with bodyweight exercises, which i think at least in part is psychological.
In the last 6 months ive gone for 20 stone to 16stone 4lbs .. purely from lifting weights and eating better... but in my head, my bodyweight is still an imovable object. We have no assisted chins or dip machines in my gym so its all or nothing.. when hung from a chins bar it just feels impossible for me to move my own BW... even tho i know i can pull almost the same as my BW on a lat pulldown with good form.