Bench Press Question

[Knoxville]

I got in an arguement over this statement today. In powerlifting, you lift to put up the most weight possible. On bench press, what muscle groups contribute to a strong bench? My thoughts are back/lats 1st, 2nd would be triceps/arms and 3rd would be chest/pec muscles. I know of guys who can press easily over 400#. They are powerlifters and their chests are not swollen, nor huge. Their backs, and triceps are usually thick and strong and the chest is just there. I believe to get a large chest, you have to train that group of muscles specifically. Lots of crossovers, flys, incline bench, incline flys, decline bench and flys, and so on. For a strong bench I think you should lift heavy, do lots of pull downs, seated rows, bent over rows, lots of tricep work and some supplemental bech press. What's other people's thoughts?

Knox

[SpeedyReedy5]

its all in the back and triceps baby.....

[Knoxville]

I am in total agreement with training heavy from a powerlifting standpoint. I started out benching 125# 6 years ago. I am now up to doing 365 for 1 rep and pushing 315 for sets of 4 or 5. I contribute this to having a strong back, from doing lots of lat work, deadlifts, and from always working the triceps heavy. Heavy lifting is the way to go for strength, I just needed some backup to prove my point. Chest development is a whole different game for building that muscle group, but strength, back and tris. Thanks

Knox

[The_Grinder]

I can vouch for this, not that I have a strong bench, cuz I dont. As far as chest goes, mine is much better developed then my roomates. I do DB presses with weights about 20 lbs heavier than he can, but his max in bench is about 70 lbs more than me. His triceps are sick as hell. Thats what I've been workin on lately, hopefully it will pay off. Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

[NYCmitch25]

your not neccessarily wrong but i would add this, a more dense muscular look
blocky waist, large back from heavy deads. bblder doesnt really want that look.

#1 bp technique - elbows in vs bblders use elbows out
#2 training - ie 3 x 3 & 5 x5 rep/sets

Andy Fiedler - 585lb. BP @ 275 lb.

i dunno about small chest (i guess it comparison) def strong chestt aswell :hmmm:

[Mr I]

your not neccessarily wrong but i would add this, a more dense muscular look
blocky waist, large back from heavy deads. bblder doesnt really want that look.

#1 bp technique - elbows in vs bblders use elbows out
#2 training - ie 3 x 3 & 5 x5 rep/sets

Andy Fiedler - 585lb. BP @ 275 lb.

i dunno about small chest (i guess it comparison) def strong chestt aswell :hmmm:

your not neccessarily wrong but i would add this, a more dense muscular look
blocky waist, large back from heavy deads. bblder doesnt really want that look.

#1 bp technique - elbows in vs bblders use elbows out
#2 training - ie 3 x 3 & 5 x5 rep/sets

Andy Fiedler - 585lb. BP @ 275 lb.

i dunno about small chest (i guess it comparison) def strong chestt aswell :hmmm:

That dude sure looked like he had more in the tank, definately alot of back and tricepts in that movement but sure not body building form.