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Fly question
I found out the hard way that my mid-back is not yet ready to do bench flies. While I love the stretch it gives me, it causes too much rib movement and I was once again plagued by subluxated ribs last month. My cable contraption does allow for pec decks, but they don't seem to focus where I want them to.
So my question is would I be better off abandoning flies completely, use the pec deck, or lay on the floor while doing DB flies (this would eliminate the "deep" stretch and minimize rib movement)?
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[QUOTE=IdahoViking;74201633]I found out the hard way that my mid-back is not yet ready to do bench flies. While I love the stretch it gives me, it causes too much rib movement and I was once again plagued by subluxated ribs last month. My cable contraption does allow for pec decks, but they don't seem to focus where I want them to.
So my question is would I be better off abandoning flies completely, use the pec deck, or lay on the floor while doing DB flies (this would eliminate the "deep" stretch and minimize rib movement)?[/QUOTE]
IV,
How about using cables?
Many cable systems allow you to adjust the height of the pulley.
If you place the pulley about at bench level, there will be very little force at the bottom of the movement and more as you contract.
You can pretty much "dial in" the amount of force you want at the bottom using that approach.
Of course, you can switch to cable cross overs and make similar adjustments.
Good luck
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[QUOTE=greyhair;74204213]IV,
How about using cables?
Many cable systems allow you to adjust the height of the pulley.
If you place the pulley about at bench level, there will be very little force at the bottom of the movement and more as you contract.
You can pretty much "dial in" the amount of force you want at the bottom using that approach.
Of course, you can switch to cable cross overs and make similar adjustments.
Good luck[/QUOTE]
X2
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[QUOTE=greyhair;74204213]IV,
How about using cables?
Many cable systems allow you to adjust the height of the pulley.
If you place the pulley about at bench level, there will be very little force at the bottom of the movement and more as you contract.
You can pretty much "dial in" the amount of force you want at the bottom using that approach.
Of course, you can switch to cable cross overs and make similar adjustments.
Good luck[/QUOTE]
I think at the moment if I purchased any more equipment for my home gym my wife would have a "hissy-fit". At the moment, I'm trying to make do with what I already have.
But a good suggestion none the less.
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Try going with very light weight on an incline bench.In kind of a semi circle.Down then slightly upward no higher than your shoulder.
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I would abandon the flyes. There are many other movements you can do hit your pecs. Can you do DB benches (flat and incline)? If so, I would try adding those to your regimen and see what shakes out.
Ray
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[QUOTE=DanVanVliet;74206903]Try going with very light weight on an incline bench.In kind of a semi circle.Down then slightly upward no higher than your shoulder.[/QUOTE]Huh?
The problem occurs at the bottom when my arms are at the lowest position, when the mid-back is 'crunched' a bit. That's why I was wondering if doing them on the floor would help. That way my arms could not drop below the plane of my body.
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[QUOTE=IdahoViking;74206233]I think at the moment if I purchased any more equipment for my home gym my wife would have a "hissy-fit". At the moment, I'm trying to make do with what I already have.
But a good suggestion none the less.[/QUOTE]
Shoot!
Didn't realize that you were "home bound"
This is a tough one.
I think the flyes are toast.
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[QUOTE=pastorgbc;74207613]I would abandon the flyes. There are many other movements you can do hit your pecs. Can you do DB benches (flat and incline)? If so, I would try adding those to your regimen and see what shakes out.
Ray[/QUOTE]
I've never tried DB benches, so I don't know how they will effect me. However I do have DB handles that I can load with free weights, so I guess that there is really nothing preventing me from trying, other than myself.
Is there a general rule of thumb for guesstimating where to start out with them based on your BB Bench?
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[QUOTE=IdahoViking;74207733]Huh?
The problem occurs at the bottom when my arms are at the lowest position, when the mid-back is 'crunched' a bit. That's why I was wondering if doing them on the floor would help. That way my arms could not drop below the plane of my body.[/QUOTE]
The way I do them your arms are in front of you I wish I had a picture they work the pec good with very little stress. Kind of like clapping with your hands streched out in front of you, hope this will give you a mental picture.
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[QUOTE=DanVanVliet;74208703]The way I do them your arms are in front of you I wish I had a picture they work the pec good with very little stress. Kind of like clapping with your hands streched out in front of you, hope this will give you a mental picture.[/QUOTE]
So you don't go through the full ROM, just the last part?
I've been lower my arms all the way down, then all the way back up.
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[QUOTE=IdahoViking;74209393]So you don't go through the full ROM, just the last part?
I've been lower my arms all the way down, then all the way back up.[/QUOTE]
Yea try it with 10 pounds at first to get the feel then up from there I useally stay at 20 or less but they work. My new pic will show it, Posted this weekend some time.
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You could also add across bench pull-overs to your routine. It'll stretch your ribs in a different direction. Might help the over all picture with time. Just keep it light until you get the feel for it.
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[QUOTE=Joe Go;74242893]You could also add across bench pull-overs to your routine. It'll stretch your ribs in a different direction. Might help the over all picture with time. Just keep it light until you get the feel for it.[/QUOTE]
I wonder if that would help with subluxating problem? Might be worth a try.
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[QUOTE=pastorgbc;74207613]I would abandon the flyes. There are many other movements you can do hit your pecs. Can you do DB benches (flat and incline)? If so, I would try adding those to your regimen and see what shakes out.
Ray[/QUOTE]
x2 if it hurts don't do it
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[QUOTE=newmexico123;74255153]x2 if it hurts don't do it[/QUOTE]
X3 I stopped doing DB flys years ago. That exact "stretch"/ROM you are talking about would partially dislocate my left shoulder. Now I just do DB Bench, DB Incline, DB Decline, and cable crossovers.
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I may have found the cause of your problem, which I think is in the last paragraph of my message.
How to do a flat-bench flye.
Lie face-up on an exercise bench with your feet flat on the floor. Your head, back and glutes should all be touching the bench.
Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing each other, arms extended above your chest. Lock a slight bend in your arms and maintain that position throughout the movement.
Inhale slightly more than usual and hold your breath as you lower your arms directly out to your sides.
As your arms approach shoulder level or slightly below, contract your pectoral muscles to reverse direction, maintain that slight bend in your elbows. Follow the same arc to return to the arms-vertical position and exhale.
Pause momentarily and repeat for reps.
AVOID using excessively HEAVY weights, which may force you to bend your elbows too much and lower your elbows too far below the level of your shoulders. Bending the elbows more than just slightly turns the flye into more of a press, changing the muscular involvement; bringing your arms lower than the level of your shoulders can cause injury.