re: Guys who don't touch their chest on the bench press

quote:

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There's also some evidence to suggest that even if that form is maintained strictly, flaring the elbows out away from the body reintroduces the forward motion of the shoulders slightly, thus increasing the likelihood of impingement.

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I'm not super strict on scapula retraction, but I'm aware of holding a good static form - I'm curious as to the "some evidence" because I find that flaring the elbows away from the body under weight, causes my shoulders to drop. Having said that - my shoulders are fairly wide for my frame on most benches have my shoulders mostly unsupported by the bench itself. I also try to maintain a fairly neutral angle of the elbows - not flared out (90) and not scraping the torso.

I had some minor shoulder impingement with incline and I don't do those anymore. Despite liking upright rows for years, I never had impingement problems - that is one exercise the risk just isn't worth the reward.