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Decline Bench Press
Exercise Form and Techniques,
Pictures and Video

(Bottom)	(Top)

Primary Movers Pectorals

Secondary Movers Delts (F) Triceps Other Muscles Involved Biceps

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Exercise Type: Compound Exercise

Instruction: Lying face up on bench with feet secured by brace, grab bar from rack with slightly larger than shoulder width grip , lower bar to upper-middle chest and then raise until arms are nearly locked.

Tips and Techniques: Ideal degree of decline should be around 20-30 degrees. You will experience less control with the decline as compared to the flat and incline... so a spotter, while always a good idea, becomes an even better idea. You should be able to handle as much weight as you do on the flat if not more.

Make sure your lift is perpendicular, straight up and straight down. Be careful staying in this decline position too long - blood is going downhill and can cause pressure to build up in your head especially if you are new to doing declines.

At the bottom of the exercise your upper arms should forming a 45 to 90 degree angle with your upper torso. The 90 degree angle may help keep the focus on the pectorals but can cause shoulder strain for some - if you feel pain lessen the angle.

Recommended Reps for Muscle Building: 6-12 the majority of the time, trying higher or lower reps on occasion.

Common Variations:

• Incline Bench Press
• Flat Bench Press
• Decline Dumbbell Bench Press - Same motion but with dumbbells.
• Machine-Based Decline Bench Press - Lever, cable and Smith machines give alternative ways to perform the exercise.

Substitutions: The best substitute would be your Flat Bench Press. Bar dips and push-ups can also target the sternal head of the pectorals major. The Machine-Based Decline Chest Press performed on a lever or cable machine is another idea. For this exercise, you are in a seated position slightly inclined and pushing away from the body at an angle to mimic that of the free weight version of the decline bench press.

Bodybuilding Equipment: Decline bench with rack, barbell and weights.

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Decline Bench Press
Videos:

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