Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips

b.spencer · 05-09-2008, 11:11 AM

Just a question to you guys who know more (or less

than me).

I've always found that bench pressing movements are very hard for me weight wise. It seems like, until very recently, I haven't been able to do sh*t for bb presses, and, even now, they lag far behind what i see other guys do who have comparable db presses and flyes to me. Same does for dips.

I was just reading somewhere guys complaining about low bench press weights and having longer arms and there being a correlation. It reminded me that just the other day, I was just getting a new black button-down shirt and was measured to have a 37" sleeve length -- pretty long arms for my just shy of 6' height according to the store clerk.

So, is there a correction between me having a longer arm length and lower bb bench numbers and fewer reps on the dip stand? Is there anyway to make up for it or will I always have difficulty with the exercises?

sdb · 05-09-2008, 11:23 AM

Look at it this way... Shorter people have less distance to move the weight. Taller (or longer armed people in your case) have to move the weight a greater distance. (which goes back to shorter people having better balance with squats too. Our center of gravity is lower than taller peeps.)

If you only had to move it 1.5' instead of 2', you'd be able to lift more since it wasn't traveling as great of a distance.

Big Guns · 05-09-2008, 12:54 PM

I agree w/ sdb. I am 6'2" and those short armed bastards always bench more. You may need to adjust grip, where you lower the bar to,(nips or mid chest) there are many variables in benching. My best was 275 for 12 and 365 for 1. Now I can't bench 225.....well I don't bench anymore so it's hard to tell. Look at it this way, many people are week as poop on DB's. I was one of the only people in my gym in Denver that would incline 120lb DB's, but my bench would be far less. Don't sweat the bench thing, some people are built for it. It is an ego lift IMO. Yes it does build the chest, BUT there are many more that do as well.
Forgive the ramble.

EricT · 05-10-2008, 03:40 PM

Those extra long arms should be an asset for deadlifting

sundevil#82 · 07-03-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricT

Those extra long arms should be an asset for deadlifting

Indeed they are my friend.

Critical Mass · 07-03-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Guns

I agree w/ sdb. I am 6'2" and those short armed bastards always bench more. You may need to adjust grip, where you lower the bar to,(nips or mid chest) there are many variables in benching. My best was 275 for 12 and 365 for 1. Now I can't bench 225.....well I don't bench anymore so it's hard to tell. Look at it this way, many people are week as poop on DB's. I was one of the only people in my gym in Denver that would incline 120lb DB's, but my bench would be far less. Don't sweat the bench thing, some people are built for it. It is an ego lift IMO. Yes it does build the chest, BUT there are many more that do as well.
Forgive the ramble.

This is almost my exact story as well. I can say nothing.

Sens · 07-03-2008, 11:46 AM

Surely this is just to do with the physics of moments? When you're benching or any similar movement you've essentially got a lever going on, and the further the weight is away from the chest the more of a force is being exerted on the chest.
Hence tall guys are generally lanky, but still strong, and when they get big they look HYOOOOJ!

XiL3 · 07-03-2008, 11:49 AM

Same here, I'm 6' and my wingspan is 6'4". Bench lags, deadlifts are pretty good. When I do incline it feels like I'm moving a mile! But remember that Weight X Distance = Work, so scientifically speaking you are putting out more power than someone with shorter arms.

Striker · 07-18-2008, 09:25 PM

I think benchiing is more of a status thing the question is always how much do you bench.

but with dumbells press and flys i have found my chest and grown and shaped a lot better then with a barbell

sdb · 07-19-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker

I think benchiing is more of a status thing the question is always how much do you bench.

but with dumbells press and flys i have found my chest and grown and shaped a lot better then with a barbell

yeah, personally I'm more bias toward db's. They tell you where your strength imbalances are and which side needs more work.

Striker · 07-19-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb

yeah, personally I'm more bias toward db's. They tell you where your strength imbalances are and which side needs more work.

very true..and mines my left side

05-09-2008, 11:11 AM	#1
b.spencer Loving the Transform Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ft. Collins, CO Age: 33 Posts: 180 Height: 6'0" Weight: 206 lbs Rep Power: 1082	Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips Just a question to you guys who know more (or less than me). I've always found that bench pressing movements are very hard for me weight wise. It seems like, until very recently, I haven't been able to do sh*t for bb presses, and, even now, they lag far behind what i see other guys do who have comparable db presses and flyes to me. Same does for dips. I was just reading somewhere guys complaining about low bench press weights and having longer arms and there being a correlation. It reminded me that just the other day, I was just getting a new black button-down shirt and was measured to have a 37" sleeve length -- pretty long arms for my just shy of 6' height according to the store clerk. So, is there a correction between me having a longer arm length and lower bb bench numbers and fewer reps on the dip stand? Is there anyway to make up for it or will I always have difficulty with the exercises? __________________ Ό,τι δεν σε σκοτώνει σε κάνει πιο δυνατό. Translation: That which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger.

05-09-2008, 11:23 AM	#2
sdb CRoSSFiT? uM.. OK... Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 28 Posts: 1,776 Rep Power: 53549	Re: Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips Look at it this way... Shorter people have less distance to move the weight. Taller (or longer armed people in your case) have to move the weight a greater distance. (which goes back to shorter people having better balance with squats too. Our center of gravity is lower than taller peeps.) If you only had to move it 1.5' instead of 2', you'd be able to lift more since it wasn't traveling as great of a distance. __________________ Crossfit Workout Journal A Daily Ass Kicking... CrossFit Style www.crossfit.com No one said it would be easy.

05-09-2008, 12:54 PM	#3
Big Guns Mr. TRIONIX Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Age: 45 Posts: 2,093 Height: 6'2" Weight: 213 Rep Power: 16660	Re: Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips I agree w/ sdb. I am 6'2" and those short armed bastards always bench more. You may need to adjust grip, where you lower the bar to,(nips or mid chest) there are many variables in benching. My best was 275 for 12 and 365 for 1. Now I can't bench 225.....well I don't bench anymore so it's hard to tell. Look at it this way, many people are week as poop on DB's. I was one of the only people in my gym in Denver that would incline 120lb DB's, but my bench would be far less. Don't sweat the bench thing, some people are built for it. It is an ego lift IMO. Yes it does build the chest, BUT there are many more that do as well. Forgive the ramble. __________________ http://www.trionix.com I stopped chasing my dreams....so I asked where the were headed.......I'll catch up to them later http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com

05-10-2008, 03:40 PM	#4
EricT Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 48 Rep Power: 2610	Re: Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips Those extra long arms should be an asset for deadlifting

07-03-2008, 11:46 AM	#7
Sens Muscular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Essex Age: 18 Posts: 130 Height: 6'1" Weight: 168 lbs Rep Power: 558	Re: Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips Surely this is just to do with the physics of moments? When you're benching or any similar movement you've essentially got a lever going on, and the further the weight is away from the chest the more of a force is being exerted on the chest. Hence tall guys are generally lanky, but still strong, and when they get big they look HYOOOOJ!

07-03-2008, 11:49 AM	#8
XiL3 Bodybuilder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: IL, USA Age: 20 Posts: 810 Height: 6' Weight: 190lbs Rep Power: 14345	Re: Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips Same here, I'm 6' and my wingspan is 6'4". Bench lags, deadlifts are pretty good. When I do incline it feels like I'm moving a mile! But remember that Weight X Distance = Work, so scientifically speaking you are putting out more power than someone with shorter arms. __________________ Super Moderator at allthemisc.com (no trojannation) ISSA Certified Personal Trainer Aurora, IL

07-18-2008, 09:25 PM	#9
Striker Gym Legend Archery 2000 Champion! Helicopter Champion! Tournaments Won: 3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Age: 17 Posts: 1,495 Height: 5'10 Weight: 155 lbs Rep Power: 1621	Re: Arm Length and Bench Pressing/Dips I think benchiing is more of a status thing the question is always how much do you bench. but with dumbells press and flys i have found my chest and grown and shaped a lot better then with a barbell __________________ "There is no destination in bodybuilding, this is our lifelong journey." -Striker bench 230 squat 315 deadlift 350 bulkin to 165 Striker's Workout Journal

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