How wide is your bench grip?

[Bigoldguy]

I usually go a little wider than shoulders but just switched to just inside shoulders...seems to hit chest harder.

 

[BamaCrazy]

I usually go a little wider than shoulders but just switched to just inside shoulders...seems to hit chest harder.

I’ve moved into shoulder preservation mode and only use dumbbells. But when I was doing barbell bench press I preferred wider than my shoulders. Less tricep, more pec action. Plus better muscle stretch/extension.

 

[Mac11wildcat]

A grip width that allows elbow to tuck closer to the ribs a bit more and keeps elbow flexion at <90 deg at the bottom is going to be safer AND elicit more chest growth. 11/10 recommend.

 

[AlexDavis43]

Lift hard and heavy. Mind-muscle connection or whatever.

Having a grip an inch wider or shorter grip is minutiae.

Stay safe.

 

[rxzed]

I usually go a little wider than shoulders but just switched to just inside shoulders...seems to hit chest harder.

Do whatever's most comfortable, if you're going close to failure, there will be no difference in muscle growth. To answer your question though, I only do incline presses and use a narrow grip; I put my pinky on the little ring thing or whatever it's called.

 

[AlexDavis43]

Do whatever's most comfortable, if you're going close to failure, there will be no difference in muscle growth. To answer your question though, I only do incline presses and use a narrow grip; I put my pinky on the little ring thing or whatever it's called.

I did Poliquin/Westside with bench press for a while. Moving one finger along on that ring for each set. It's entertaining but did fuck all for actual strength or hypertrophy beyond the actual bench pressing.

 

[NewGuy756]

I try to grip to where me holding the bar allows a descent where my elbows hug my sides as close as possible the same way you do a proper pushup.

 

[Humble-Beast]

I try to grip to where me holding the bar allows a descent where my elbows hug my sides as close as possible the same way you do a proper pushup.

Same, and elbows in, not flared.

 

[NewGuy756]

Same, and elbows in, not flared.

exactly!

 

[Kralteramon]

Do whatever's most comfortable, if you're going close to failure, there will be no difference in muscle growth. To answer your question though, I only do incline presses and use a narrow grip; I put my pinky on the little ring thing or whatever it's called.

Super old school advise . I remember that was the first thing I learned (or was it ring finger?) in the gym 20 years ago. I moved to index finger width, feels better on the shoulders.

 

[xrayphoton13]

What do you guys think about the reverse talon grip? I like this grip but I'm not sure if it's working lower chest or triceps more than regular grip? And what about the cambered Swiss bars? Mine has angled grips rather than straight so your either slightly supinated or pronated. I'm feeling like it works triceps more than chest as I can't use as much weight and it feels like the bar is arcing down in a quarter circle as I lower it if that makes since, instead of straight up and down like a straight bar

 

[BiGBaDWolF`]

I keep my middle finger on the rings for flat pressing if im training for strength. I keep my arms around 45deg since im very shoulder dominant. If I want more hypertrophy focus, Dumbells it is!

 

[BigBamBam]

Totally depends on your goals, man. That closer grip, around shoulder-width with elbows tucked hits more upper chest and triceps, since you're getting more shoulder flexion. Makes sense it feels like it hits harder. Great for chest development, but without moving as much weight as you could with a wider grip. If you're trying to bench big numbers, going wider like thumbs on the ring shortens the range of motion and takes some stress off the triceps. So you can push more weight without that same amount of strain on the upper chest

 

[RonaldRt]

I usually go a little wider than shoulders but just switched to just inside shoulders...seems to hit chest harder.

I usually just go all way to the end of barbell on the bench, gives the optimal stretch according to Dr Mike “we don’t actually know why” but whatever daddy Mike says

 

[craigdt]

Same, and elbows in, not flared.

Huh.

Ill have to try that