Lifting more with close grip bench press than regular bench press

[Roid Rage 526]

Well, I have always been able to bench more weight with a close grip (hands shoulder width apart) than I could with a wide grip bench (pinkies on the rings). It it uncommon/unusual to be able to bench more with a close grip bench than a wide grip bench? Has anybody else been like this?

[765]

Well, I have always been able to bench more weight with a close grip (hands shoulder width apart) than I could with a wide grip bench (pinkies on the rings). It it uncommon/unusual to be able to bench more with a close grip bench than a wide grip bench? Has anybody else been like this?

when i started i used a close grip cause i didnt know better, switch to pinkies on the rings and you might do less but it will pass your close grip in no time!

[matthewluke60]

Nope not weird at all, means you got strong triceps, good pressing muscles, and that is what you are using to bench with. I've met multiple guys like this.

[Apachhe2]

my close grip isn't stronger than my regular grip but it's within 10-15 pounds of it...always has been. i think now the gap is finally starting to get bigger though.

[AHTTG]

"wide grip" is a little different for everyone. Maybe for your height and reach where you feel stronger is wide for you and the other one is just too wide.

[mangiventofly]

jeremy hoornstra benches close grip normally and he presses 605. that's just the way he does it. strong mofo.

[GGHT]

Yeah I'm still undecided on this one. I've benching "wide" only for a few months now and I can get more muscle groups involved, but it certainly doesn't have the "drive" my old narrow grip used to.

[Retardo-pex]

I consider myself more of a medium grip when I compare it to pinkies on rings and my actual close grip hand setting. I've always followed the thumbs spread from the smooth area and it sets me up pretty much halfway between rings and smooth. Its a more natural position for me strength wise, I've tried gripping wider for periods and it never even comes close to matching my natural grip strength.

[mcfadden47]

Well, I have always been able to bench more weight with a close grip (hands shoulder width apart) than I could with a wide grip bench (pinkies on the rings). It it uncommon/unusual to be able to bench more with a close grip bench than a wide grip bench? Has anybody else been like this?

I was in the same boat for a while, because when I started I did a semi-close grip, just otu of ignorance lol. I personally switched to a pretty wide grip(index finger on the rings), trying to get more muscles into the press, but if close grip is comfortable to you, you could probabyl stick with it.

[strongman963]

I have been trying to get my close grip better, since wide grip doesn't help anything but wide grip bench. very little carry over from wide grip raw to wide grip equipeed.

[Roid Rage 526]

When I bench I do regular barbell bench and then close grip bench. Since I lift more weight for close grip bench than I do for regular bench, do you think I should do close grip bench before I do regular bench? Would that change make any difference?

[tinyman5000]

i close grip bench more then normal too, no one told me any better. all it means is you might have to strengthen your tri's more

[Roid Rage 526]

i close grip bench more then normal too, no one told me any better. all it means is you might have to strengthen your tri's more

Since I can lift more doing close grip bench than I can doing regular bench press wouldn't that mean that I am able to lift more doing close grip because my triceps are stronger than my chest? Which would mean I would have to strengthen my chest more not my triceps.

[EinMassengrab.]

strong armzz

[endymion88]

Since I can lift more doing close grip bench than I can doing regular bench press wouldn't that mean that I am able to lift more doing close grip because my triceps are stronger than my chest? Which would mean I would have to strengthen my chest more not my triceps.

more so do wide bench presses with a pause on your chest and plenty of shoulder/lat work and watch your bench take off

[tinyman5000]

Since I can lift more doing close grip bench than I can doing regular bench press wouldn't that mean that I am able to lift more doing close grip because my triceps are stronger than my chest? Which would mean I would have to strengthen my chest more not my triceps.

well if you want to succeed yeah

but who want to do that

[Drew23]

More heavy lat work and better technique on the bench will help move your numbers up on a max grip bench.

[Hatmanii]

Widening your grip will prove to be a good move in the long run. It will help involve other muslce groups, thus givingyou the potential for pressing more weight, it also helps to reduce the range of motion, which may not seem like much, but every little bit counts.

[kinglifter]

I can lift near my regular bench with a close grip. I train my bench press with a close grip to bring up my tris and delts, but I tihnk you should be able to bench more with a wide grip because of the shorter ROM. My close grip has such a longer stroke than my wide/comp grip. So even if i was just as strong with both grips, i can lift more with the wide grip because its a shorter ROM. Just like sumo deads and wide squats. Shorter ROM.

[AusLifter06]

I'm pretty much the same as the OP. I'm 5'7 and a thumbs from the smooth just seems the most natural grip for me. I've benched with pinky on the rings for years and I keep reaching the same conclusion. It's definitely not a chest, shoulder, or lat weakness because they're all well developed and strong. I'd say it has more to do with my stature and natural build than anything else.

I also feel the closer grip puts less stress on the shoulders.

[Roid Rage 526]

The most I have ever done with regular bench is 290. While the most I have done with close grip bench is 325. Even though I am 35 pounds stronger with close grip bench than I am with regular bench, I should still stick to wide grip bench for my max to have most potential in the long run?

[kinglifter]

Max with what your strongest with, train all of your grips.

[AusLifter06]

The most I have ever done with regular bench is 290. While the most I have done with close grip bench is 325. Even though I am 35 pounds stronger with close grip bench than I am with regular bench, I should still stick to wide grip bench for my max to have most potential in the long run?

That's similar to me, about 40lbs more close grip. Although with 225 for reps I can knock more out with the med grip. When it comes time to max though, close grip is way more explosive off the chest.

Hard to say, but for me I don't think it helps much. If you plan to gain more weight you might have a better run with the wider grip, I know I did when I was a bit bigger. Otherwise, might be better off concentrating more on the grip you plan to use.

[t-butyl]

Well, I have always been able to bench more weight with a close grip (hands shoulder width apart) than I could with a wide grip bench (pinkies on the rings). It it uncommon/unusual to be able to bench more with a close grip bench than a wide grip bench? Has anybody else been like this?

I use ring finger to bar rings grip.To me this is not a wide grip,as I have seen grips a lot wider.The reason I use ths grip is from bying cheap benchs from sears.These did not allow me to really use "wide" grips because of their construction.Once the ymca expanded,actually made a wieght room and where I worked brought in more equipement, this is where my grip felt comfortable.I have tried other grip widths and kept going back to my regular position.I do not feel uncomfortable with this and have staid with it
Experiment.

[Kiknskreem]

i close grip bench more then normal too, no one told me any better. all it means is you might have to strengthen your tri's more

Since I can lift more doing close grip bench than I can doing regular bench press wouldn't that mean that I am able to lift more doing close grip because my triceps are stronger than my chest? Which would mean I would have to strengthen my chest more not my triceps.

well if you want to succeed yeah

but who want to do that

Do you not see the problem with this exchange, tiny?

[tinyman5000]

Do you not see the problem with this exchange, tiny?

yes

[GGHT]

At the end of the day Jeremy Hoonstra uses a close grip, true none of us are in the same stratosphere as him but some people definatley do suit a narrower grip. I'm actually starting to enjoy a wider grip, as I find it extremley difficult to garner leg drive with a narrow one. Plus the shortned ROM is nice. I'm 5'9 and have narrow clavicles etc.

[Newbtime]

if you can do more with a 1rm CG then a wide grip, but your high rep max with a wide grip is higher then your CG, you have a major weak point.

train your lats and do a **** load of paused benching and flaired elbow dumbell benching.

[sickonstorm]

i use shoulder width because it makes the exerscise harder and requiers the greater roms. and tinyman ur retarded. close grip works tris more.

[t-butyl]

i use shoulder width because it makes the exerscise harder and requiers the greater roms. and tinyman ur retarded. close grip works tris more.

My God there's no need for name calling,enough here already.There are articles on this .com that can explain this "problem".A little research is all that is needed.

and yes i am guilty to.