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» Bench Press: You're Supposed to Protract Scapula?
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post 1631987653 02-21-2021, 03:17 PM
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Bench Press: You're Supposed to Protract Scapula?

Someone confirm

Mind = blown

@2:37 - 3:00
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_decline
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse#By_absorption
post 1631988813 02-21-2021, 03:33 PM
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mind blown as well, mechanically it does make sense to allow for slight protraction to really engage pecs.

IN for answers... going to try this for next upper day
post 1631989833 02-21-2021, 03:48 PM
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I disagree. How difficult would it be to tell someone to retract the scapula and then "slightly" protract them, but NOT TOO MUCH at the top of the press with 300+ lbs on them. I am all for shoulder health and maximum muscle tension. that is minimize front delts and tricep work. To me that means maintain retraction and go 3/4 up and back down. No pause or lock out at the top. No pros lock out and rest at the top. That's just me though.
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post 1631990003 02-21-2021, 03:49 PM
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post 1631990053 02-21-2021, 03:50 PM
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Always retract scapulae when getting set for a bench press crew
Hips never leave the bench crew
Touch chest with slightest bounce crew
Make sure to do pendlay rows to counterbalance strong pecs crew
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post 1631990553 02-21-2021, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted By PassiveLearner
Always retract scapulae when getting set for a bench press crew
Hips never leave the bench crew
Touch chest with slightest bounce crew
Make sure to do pendlay rows to counterbalance strong pecs crew
Rip a toad crew
Das it.

My shoulders always feel terrible if I don't get at least a decent setup with scapular retraction, some arch, etc.
post 1631990583 02-21-2021, 03:56 PM
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Been doing this for years just lol if you haven’t
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post 1631992143 02-21-2021, 04:23 PM
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I feel like a proper bench press is one of the most technically difficult lifts. There is so much going on its unbelieveable.



DB press and pushups crew. So easy even an idiot can do them.
post 1631992443 02-21-2021, 04:27 PM
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Imo the arch takes care of all of the scapular retraction/protraction so that you don’t really have to think about it as much. And always think of it as your shoulder blades/rear deltoids should touch the bench
post 1631992753 02-21-2021, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted By TXBuddy
I disagree. How difficult would it be to tell someone to retract the scapula and then "slightly" protract them, but NOT TOO MUCH at the top of the press with 300+ lbs on them. I am all for shoulder health and maximum muscle tension. that is minimize front delts and tricep work. To me that means maintain retraction and go 3/4 up and back down. No pause or lock out at the top. No pros lock out and rest at the top. That's just me though.
its all about learning what RoM for you personally fully lengthens and contracts the pectoral muscle fibers, for the vast majority of people its before full lockout for contraction and before full depth for lengthening. Going too deep usually means activating anterior deltoids and removing tension from pecs = less tension on pecs = less pec growth
too high past contraction = activating triceps for a couple inches, you are still keeping some tension on pecs as they are squeezed but its a wasted transfer of tension to triceps.
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post 1631992993 02-21-2021, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted By Jestbrah
its all about learning what RoM for you personally fully lengthens and contracts the pectoral muscle fibers, for the vast majority of people its before full lockout for contraction and before full depth for lengthening. Going too deep usually means activating anterior deltoids and removing tension from pecs = less tension on pecs = less pec growth
too high past contraction = activating triceps for a couple inches, you are still keeping some tension on pecs as they are squeezed but its a wasted transfer of tension to triceps.
Agree.
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post 1631993043 02-21-2021, 04:36 PM
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First of all, that coach is a fat fuk.

Second, competition bench pressing relies so much on minimizing the range of motion which is partially achieved by scapular retraction. This reduces the distance the barbell travels.

I would also argue that scapular retraction potentiates the pectorals through increased muscle excursion and stretch reflex to facilitate the bench press movement. In other words, you’re placing the muscles in a stretched position from the start.

If your goal is to maximize pectoral development, bench press is not the best movement.

The point of the bench press from a powerlifting standpoint isn’t to create the highest electromyographic activity in the pectorals, it is to move the greatest amount of weight across the least possible distance while adhering to certain rules, in a single plane of movement.
post 1631993283 02-21-2021, 04:39 PM
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watched the whole thing and its like almost every other science nerd lifting vid that sounds great on paper but unrealistic in practice

at a point you'll have enough weight over you aren't able to retract them again fully without resetting, and this nerd wants you to lock out your elbows every time


i think full ROM is a meme tbh, completely unnecessary and the majority of the time more dangerous. I used to be a full rom or nothing nerd and since i snapped out of that stupidity ive had no super srs injuries ever since. would go back in time and slap myself for how much i cared about full rom when i first started tbh
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post 1631993593 02-21-2021, 04:43 PM
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nah
post 1631993673 02-21-2021, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted By ayyy
watched the whole thing and its like almost every other science nerd lifting vid that sounds great on paper but unrealistic in practice

at a point you'll have enough weight over you aren't able to retract them again fully without resetting, and this nerd wants you to lock out your elbows every time


i think full ROM is a meme tbh, completely unnecessary and the majority of the time more dangerous. I used to be a full rom or nothing nerd and since i snapped out of that stupidity ive had no super srs injuries ever since. would go back in time and slap myself for how much i cared about full rom when i first started tbh
Fkn hate the science nerd lifters srs. Over complicating things for no reason. Do you guys remember coath mccarthy in 2012 lmao
watchout your comments boyo ↓
post 1631994083 02-21-2021, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted By ayyy
i think full ROM is a meme tbh, completely unnecessary and the majority of the time more dangerous. I used to be a full rom or nothing nerd and since i snapped out of that stupidity ive had no super srs injuries ever since. would go back in time and slap myself for how much i cared about full rom when i first started tbh
gtfoh, full rom crew checking in(other than bb squats because butt wink)
post 1631994933 02-21-2021, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted By ayyy
watched the whole thing and its like almost every other science nerd lifting vid that sounds great on paper but unrealistic in practice

at a point you'll have enough weight over you aren't able to retract them again fully without resetting, and this nerd wants you to lock out your elbows every time


i think full ROM is a meme tbh, completely unnecessary and the majority of the time more dangerous. I used to be a full rom or nothing nerd and since i snapped out of that stupidity ive had no super srs injuries ever since. would go back in time and slap myself for how much i cared about full rom when i first started tbh
It’s not about full ROM, it’s about whether you should retract your scaps during the bench press.

Full range of motion is required during competition bench pressing, which can still be achieved with scapular retraction.

The fat coach in the video seems to be saying that from a bodybuilding standpoint, scapular retraction does not develop the pectorals to the same degree as if the scaps are protracted, which does actually make sense.

Whether or not your humerus fully horizontally adducts and your elbow fully extends during the bench press movement is another matter.
post 1631994953 02-21-2021, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted By iwant2beswole
Fkn hate the science nerd lifters srs. Over complicating things for no reason. Do you guys remember coath mccarthy in 2012 lmao
not familiar with the name tbh
Originally Posted By Schnitzl
gtfoh, full rom crew checking in(other than bb squats because butt wink)
do you lock out on each rep for pressing movements?

do you protract your scapula on all pulling movements?

for curls do you flex your tricep at the bottom to make sure your arm is completely straightened?

when i say full rom i mean full fckin rom boyo, this chit used to be preached by the youtube nerds back in the day and i was naïve enough enough to fall for it

brb "barbell curls are bad because less rom, do preacher curls with your elbows going all they way down to really feel the stretch"
brb "flys are worthless unless your elbows go so far behind your body you feel your tendons screaming in fear"
brb "make sure to touch your chest to the bar and at the bottom protract your scapula for the ultimate pull up!"
Originally Posted By Ausaric
The fat coach in the video seems to be saying that from a bodybuilding standpoint, scapular retraction does not develop the pectorals to the same degree as if the scaps are protracted, which does actually make sense.

Whether or not your humerus fully horizontally adducts and your elbow fully extends during the bench press movement is another matter.
which is why i say it sounds better on paper than in reality, it will without a doubt cause the pec to move more, but it does so while increasing the risk

risk vs reward is one of the most important things in exercise selection for building muscle, a torn muscle isn't worth much
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post 1631998303 02-21-2021, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted By MetroBrah
Imo the arch takes care of all of the scapular retraction/protraction so that you don’t really have to think about it as much. And always think of it as your shoulder blades/rear deltoids should touch the bench
Eh I have a pretty moderate arch and if I don’t tell my shoulders to stay back it’s easy to flare them and snap chit up
Originally Posted By Ausaric
First of all, that coach is a fat fuk.

Second, competition bench pressing relies so much on minimizing the range of motion which is partially achieved by scapular retraction. This reduces the distance the barbell travels.

I would also argue that scapular retraction potentiates the pectorals through increased muscle excursion and stretch reflex to facilitate the bench press movement. In other words, you’re placing the muscles in a stretched position from the start.

If your goal is to maximize pectoral development, bench press is not the best movement.

The point of the bench press from a powerlifting standpoint isn’t to create the highest electromyographic activity in the pectorals, it is to move the greatest amount of weight across the least possible distance while adhering to certain rules, in a single plane of movement.
Idk personally if I keep full retraction during the entire lift I feel much weaker and feel weird tension in my elbow close to lockout. I noticed I kinda roll the scapula forwards in the sticking point so it’s like half protracted/retracted. Not sure if I’m just noob or what. I’ve always been front delt dominant so maybe I’m compensating?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_decline
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse#By_absorption
post 1631998543 02-21-2021, 05:40 PM
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post 1631998743 02-21-2021, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted By BulkingIsHard
Idk personally if I keep full retraction during the entire lift I feel much weaker and feel weird tension in my elbow close to lockout. I noticed I kinda roll the scapula forwards in the sticking point so it’s like half protracted/retracted. Not sure if I’m just noob or what. I’ve always been front delt dominant so maybe I’m compensating?
Again, the point of the Bench Press is to complete a movement of the Barbell. However you achieve it is your thing. If you have muscular weaknesses that prevent you from completing it in the most efficient manner, that’s your thing to work on.

The best bench-pressers use thoracic extension and scapular retraction to move the most amount of weight. That’s just how the human body works, boyo.
post 1631998943 02-21-2021, 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted By CherryPopinski
Been doing this for years just lol if you haven’t
This
post 1631999013 02-21-2021, 05:45 PM
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Don't also forget the banana check. If you are unaware you're supposed to insert raw banana inside your anus and keep it relaxed so you don't damage the banana. If you contract your anus during benching and damage/compress banana you are doing it wrong (means you put strain in wrong places decreasing chest and triceps gains as well increasing possibility of injury).
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post 1631999173 02-21-2021, 05:47 PM
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Paul Carter and John Meadows say the same, that retracting the scapula is mostly for limiting the range of motion in a powerlifting bench.

Personally, since IDC about lifting the most weight I can by fukking around with leverages I tend to let my shoulders protract and retract normally and the difference is night and day in terms of “feeling” my pecs working.
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post 1631999583 02-21-2021, 05:52 PM
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You don't have to, but your goals determine this.

If you want to save your shoulders and you bench consistently, then retracting your scapula will save you. I had this issue for years. I couldn't understanding why my shoulders were constantly wrecked. I even had times where I'd take baby aspirin or ibuprofen before I went to bench because my shoulders were fukked. My technique was solid and I was pushing good weight, controlled reps, my chest is my best attribute besides my back.

Well I wasn't retracting my scapula, so sometimes when fatigue or struggle came in, my shoulders would take some of the load and move. When your base and your shoulders move during the movement, you're ****ed. Think of it like you lower back rounding when squatting. You want stability under load.

The difference is, powerlifting promotes excessive retraction and arching to create an efficient and shorter ROM. This is a bit unnecessary.

The best advice I ever got was from Ed Coan. He said just retract your shoulder blades and then try to tuck them in your back pockets. I have a small arch as well and in following that advice and working on that technique, I haven't had 1 day of shoulder pain from bench. I had it for years. But this completely rid me of any shoulder pain or wrecking them over time. I am a 3+ plate bencher who is not built to bench so I'm not some complete retard spouting nonsense.

It's up to the individual though to find the right technique for them. Some tuck way more and have a much larger arch, and some are able to just retract and push into the pad flat backed. Most guys I know with wrecked rotaters, messed up shoulders, or have had surgery all benched without this. That's why so many old timers have shoulder issues.
post 1632000133 02-21-2021, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted By Atlastrength
You don't have to, but your goals determine this.

If you want to save your shoulders and you bench consistently, then retracting your scapula will save you. I had this issue for years. I couldn't understanding why my shoulders were constantly wrecked. I even had times where I'd take baby aspirin or ibuprofen before I went to bench because my shoulders were fukked. My technique was solid and I was pushing good weight, controlled reps, my chest is my best attribute besides my back.

Well I wasn't retracting my scapula, so sometimes when fatigue or struggle came in, my shoulders would take some of the load and move. When your base and your shoulders move during the movement, you're ****ed. Think of it like you lower back rounding when squatting. You want stability under load.

The difference is, powerlifting promotes excessive retraction and arching to create an efficient and shorter ROM. This is a bit unnecessary.

The best advice I ever got was from Ed Coan. He said just retract your shoulder blades and then try to tuck them in your back pockets. I have a small arch as well and in following that advice and working on that technique, I haven't had 1 day of shoulder pain from bench. I had it for years. But this completely rid me of any shoulder pain or wrecking them over time. I am a 3+ plate bencher who is not built to bench so I'm not some complete retard spouting nonsense.

It's up to the individual though to find the right technique for them. Some tuck way more and have a much larger arch, and some are able to just retract and push into the pad flat backed. Most guys I know with wrecked rotaters, messed up shoulders, or have had surgery all benched without this. That's why so many old times have shoulder issues.
Look, the way scapulohumeral rhythm works best way to prevent rotator cuff pathology, biceps tendon, and/or acromion process issues is to perform glenohumeral movements in a Scaption plane with the scapula retracted and depressed throughout the entire movement. That’s just how it works.

Performing heavy resistive movements with the scapula protracted and/or elevated will lead to injury.
post 1632000223 02-21-2021, 06:00 PM
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Lol and this guy says yes but no

@20:30
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_decline
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse#By_absorption
post 1632000733 02-21-2021, 06:05 PM
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post 1632000763 02-21-2021, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted By BulkingIsHard
Lol and this guy says yes but no

@20:30
That guy is a fat YouTube fuk that doesn’t know what he’s taking about
post 1632001623 02-21-2021, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted By Ausaric
That guy is a fat YouTube fuk that doesn’t know what he’s taking about
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_decline
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse#By_absorption
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