Bruised Chest

[Kaler]

I've been trying to bench PL style lately with my elbows tucked in and the bar coming down lower on my chest. The first time I did it, everything seemed good. My second time doing it however I upped the weight and it put a lot of strain in the middle of each upper pec and its bruised up. I've rested for the last few days and it doesn't hurt anymore but I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about it bruising (is it common?) or maybe my technique is really bad? Any advice is appreciated

Oh and I wasn't even going all out, was in the 7-9 rep range.

[Danimal]

Where exactly are you touching?

[f00t]

since you're in calgary, look around some. there are some good powerlifting clubs in that city. have one of them take you under their wing.

[Kaler]

Right under my nipples

[Danimal]

Thats pretty high for tucked elbows. Try down around the bottom of your sternum.

[BBShort]

Yeah try going lower, upper abs or lower even. Elbows tucked generally takes more strain off the pecs.

[Kaler]

Yea I figured it would be a lot easier on the pecs to this way, but I guess I've just never hit that part of the pec too hard maybe. When I used to bench normal just the outsides of my pecs felt like they got worked out.

I'll try touching the bar lower along my body, thanks for the advice.

On a side note, should I be tucking my elbows in to the point where my flexed lats prevent them from tucking further, or should I be going for some sort of specific angle, like 45 degrees or something?

[Danimal]

45 degrees is good. As the bar comes up towards lockout, then you can flare them out more.

[Kaler]

45 degrees is good. As the bar comes up towards lockout, then you can flare them out more.

Ok thanks man, I guess I was tucking them too much then. I kept them pushed in all the way throughout the lift.

[Gettinbig99]

i bruised my chest from bouncing it off my chest i dont think there is anything to be worried about.