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Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => Training Q&A => Topic started by: Mike Oxbig on January 15, 2008, 08:31:33 AM

Title: correct angle
Post by: Mike Oxbig on January 15, 2008, 08:31:33 AM
Just curious if anyone knows the proper physiological angle for the best upper chest development with out over working the delt muscles. I feel that individuals that go at to much of an incline end up working delts twice a week and are more prone to injury. Others I feel don't go high enough and end up doing 8 sets of flat.......any thoughts?
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: Detroit Muscle on January 15, 2008, 09:51:12 AM
I don't take a protractor or anything to the gym but I try and get a 45 degree angle because it's directly between flat and upright but occasionally I'll go a little lower or a little higher just for a different angle.  But on par, 45 degrees.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: Montague on January 15, 2008, 11:24:50 AM
You should be safe with anything 45 deg or lower IMO. Most incline stations I’ve seen are set too high. If that’s the case, just position an adjustable bench inside a power rack to set up for inclines.

I used to do this, but have since adopted primarily db work for my pec routines.

Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: Emmortal on January 15, 2008, 11:43:40 AM
Yea, anything 45 and lower, I prefer going about 35 degrees on inclines, at 45 degrees I want to start using too much of my delts for power.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: pjs on January 15, 2008, 04:50:51 PM
Just curious if anyone knows the proper physiological angle for the best upper chest development with out over working the delt muscles. I feel that individuals that go at to much of an incline end up working delts twice a week and are more prone to injury. Others I feel don't go high enough and end up doing 8 sets of flat.......any thoughts?

You can't bench at any angle without using your shoulders.  They are most removed on a decline, although it's negligible.

If you are worried about pec development without shoulder development, you need to be using isolation stuff like flyes.

Honestly, unless you are a national level competitor, it doesn't matter, and isn't worth worrying about your 'upper' chest.  The physiolology/anatomy of the chest doesn't really allow for much if any isolation or emphasis of the 'upper' pec over any other part.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: LatsMcGee on January 16, 2008, 12:19:11 AM
30 degrees.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: JasonH on January 16, 2008, 02:08:27 AM
30 degrees.

Agreed - anything higher than this and you're bringing too much front and side delts into play, which isn't always a bad thing but my attitude has always been to go as low as possible while still involving the upper pecs - that way you can go heavier.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: triple_pickle on January 16, 2008, 10:06:07 AM
27.56 degrees
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: wes on January 16, 2008, 01:23:02 PM
20-30 degress is best for upper pec IMO.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: pjs on January 17, 2008, 07:58:56 PM
20-30 degress is best for upper pec IMO.

Based on what?  Physiology, or a shiny magazine?

Could you maybe explain why, referencing insertion and origin points?
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: BigUncleRock on January 17, 2008, 09:37:11 PM
I was always told to put the bench at 45 degrees, then select the next notch down.

Seems to be ok.

Rock
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: SF1900 on January 19, 2008, 07:14:12 AM
30.987564567th's of an angle, in rotation with the sun at exactly 12:18pm 33 seconds to hit the upper pecs for maximum efficiency!
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: ngm21084 on January 21, 2008, 05:04:28 AM
30.987564567th's of an angle, in rotation with the sun at exactly 12:18pm 33 seconds to hit the upper pecs for maximum efficiency!

precisely my friend...
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: Zaidos on January 25, 2008, 09:41:55 AM
30.987564567th's of an angle, in rotation with the sun at exactly 12:18pm 33 seconds to hit the upper pecs for maximum efficiency!

I prefer 12:30, as I can digest my meal for that extra .048392 energy from food.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: wes on January 26, 2008, 06:30:32 AM
Based on what?  Physiology, or a shiny magazine?

Could you maybe explain why, referencing insertion and origin points?
Based on personal experience,ie.,I "feel" it more in upper pec area, as opposed to a higher degree, where I "feel" it more in my shoulders and front delt area.

I go by how an exercise affects "me".......key word being "me"...........hence "my" opinion,key word being "my"..............why would I do something that didn`t benefit my training?

I haven`t bought a magazine in years........I have done a lot of training though!!

All of my posts are based on experience I`ve gathered from training over many years................won`t apply to everyone here,but it is valid advice that applied to my case at any time, and not parroted from a magazine.

Take what you want and leave the rest, just as you would/should with any advice you can or cannot use for your own particular problem/case.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: powerpack on January 26, 2008, 08:25:01 AM
30 degrees.
I agree
I feel the stiffness in my upper pecs more the next morning with a 30 degree bench than with a higher angle.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: Montague on January 26, 2008, 11:32:41 AM
Take what you want and leave the rest, just as you would/should with any advice you can or cannot use for your own particular problem/case.

This is some of the best advice I've read on this topic to date.
Title: Re: correct angle
Post by: pjs on January 26, 2008, 02:06:29 PM
Based on personal experience,ie.,I "feel" it more in upper pec area, as opposed to a higher degree, where I "feel" it more in my shoulders and front delt area.

I go by how an exercise affects "me".......key word being "me"...........hence "my" opinion,key word being "my"..............why would I do something that didn`t benefit my training?

I haven`t bought a magazine in years........I have done a lot of training though!!

All of my posts are based on experience I`ve gathered from training over many years................won`t apply to everyone here,but it is valid advice that applied to my case at any time, and not parroted from a magazine.

Take what you want and leave the rest, just as you would/should with any advice you can or cannot use for your own particular problem/case.
That's what I thought.