Light chest sets before doing chest

[arsenito]

Hello,

I would like to inquire if what I have experienced recently is a common technique used in the community.

Recently I began to dedicate about 15 minutes to performing 3-4 sets of pull-downs prior to starting my full chest routine. I realized that performing light back exercise dramatically increased my strength when performing consecutive bench presses.

I theorize that it is due to an increased blood flow in the upper body and (mostly) because of a better neuronal activation.

The phenomenon is such that when I sub the initial back activation with a light bench press, I do not reach the same level of strength (and weight bearing capacity) as on the first case.

Can someone confirm/deny if this works for them?
Also, is this a commonly performed technique? I ask, because I didn't notice anyone doing this at rhe gym. If so, I imagine that this coupling may be done for other muscle groups.

Thank you!

[IronKrazy]

Its called working the antagonistic (sp?) muscles. Yes its a thing. Some believe in it some dont.

Also your title says chest before chest. Which means to me preexhausting the muscle. Again 50/50. I like the antag muscle thing but not the preexhaust of muscles to be hit. I want my targeted muscles at 100%.

[PCC1993]

My guess would be is those pull downs are increasing mobility in your upper back allowing you to pull your back in tighter and maybe get a taller arch/more mechanically advantageous angle subsequently allowing you to push more weight.

If it works, do it!

[buffcamelsales]

You're basically getting a good upper body warm up with the pulldowns. If you start off with pushups and some pullups you'd see the improvement in your bench drastically.

[TailEnd]

My guess would be is those pull downs are increasing mobility in your upper back allowing you to pull your back in tighter and maybe get a taller arch/more mechanically advantageous angle subsequently allowing you to push more weight.

If it works, do it!

Bingo.

[PCC1993]

Bingo.

Haha sweet! I watched Chris Duffin and Mark Bell videos all day yesterday so I'm basically an expert now! lol

[arsenito]

Thank you all for your replies! I apologize for the title. It was supposed to say "Back before chest". Like PCC1993 has mentioned, I agree that the lateral pulldown increses the mobility. I also agree with IronKrazy's "keeping the target muscle group engaged and not pre-exhausted".

[EjnarKolinkar]

Haha sweet! I watched Chris Duffin and Mark Bell videos all day yesterday so I'm basically an expert now! lol

But bro, do they even superset?