Is this normal?

[nuk1m]

When training my chest I feel my triceps tiring out. I feel like my triceps are a bottleneck to getting a good chest workout. For example on the bench my triceps die out before my chest, thus not maximizing the lift for my chest. I've tried widing my grip, same results. My triceps are by no means weak.

is this normal?

[.V.]

Yeah, it's normal. Or at least it is for me. My triceps are the weak point in my bench. I'd say just keep working on making them stronger.

[JMike]

Yeah its normal. But if you're really concerned I'd check with someone else that you think knows what they're doing and that can watch you lift.

In regards to training the triceps. I'd go for things like weighted dips and push downs. Reverse grip pushdowns have been working wonders for me.

[Khaine]

This happens in all rep ranges...?

[bodyshop20]

To bench correctly you should not extend the arm past the point where the tricep come into play.
Try benching but not to the point of the arm becomig straight.
As i guide when the arm is about 75% into the motion come back down and rep like that.
You will use less weight and pump the pectorals (chest ) more

[JMike]

bodyshop, I disagree. I think that the bench should involve the tricep. Close grip bench is a fairly common tricep move, and personally I think that (unless you're on a very strict routine) performing lifts in such a way that they totally isolate certain body parts will lead to a weak link in the chain.

[bodyshop20]

Jmike if your benching for chest then you dont want triceps help as this will stop the pectorals working to the full.
As for close grip bench, that is a tricep movement so i dont see your point.
Strict movements lead to the best shape, that is my opinion but i do respect what your saying.
So rather than disagree with me, try putting some useful help on the topic in question.

[F_Mac]

There is no way to completely isolate the chest or triceps while doing bench. Just keep working at it and your tri's will catch up.

If you're really worried about it, do some flys or pec-deck before you bench. You won't be able to move as much weight, but your chest will give out before your tri's this way.

[Khaine]

Originally Posted by bodyshop20

Strict movements lead to the best shape,

YouTube - Dumbbell rows 175lbs for 33 reps

How's this guy's movement strictness compared to his shape...?

[Todd]

Originally Posted by nuk1m

When training my chest I feel my triceps tiring out. I feel like my triceps are a bottleneck to getting a good chest workout. For example on the bench my triceps die out before my chest, thus not maximizing the lift for my chest. I've tried widing my grip, same results. My triceps are by no means weak.

is this normal?

Not sure if that is considered "normal" or not, but my triceps don't give out before my chest in benching, at least not anymore.

I would suggest, lowering the weight you're using for your benching exercises so that your chest can get the proper workout as intended.

This would be the same as using too much weight for barbell rows where your biceps are giving out before your back. Not what you want, if you're looking to work your back optimally. Lower the weight to the point where you're using a load that will allow your chest to do most of the work and get the muscle fiber recruitment it deserves.

[.V.]

Todd, have you looked in a mirror lately? Do you think you qualify as "normal".

Some of you guys are simply quite beyond us mere mortals.

[F_Mac]

Todd, I'm curious as to how lowering the weight helps in this situation. Can you elaborate on your explanation?

Just my own personal curiosity.

[JMike]

bodyshop> i was trying to offer help by saying that I think that lifting with the triceps in play is a good idea. I'm not one of those guys that just disagrees. I think even when your tris kick in at the end of a lift your still hitting your chest, and that range of motion is a good thing. That's all

[Todd]

Originally Posted by F-Mac

Todd, I'm curious as to how lowering the weight helps in this situation. Can you elaborate on your explanation?

Just my own personal curiosity.

For sure. Referring back to the original post, Nuk1m stated the following....

"When training my chest I feel my triceps tiring out. I feel like my triceps are a bottleneck to getting a good chest workout. For example on the bench my triceps die out before my chest, thus not maximizing the lift for my chest. I've tried widing my grip, same results. My triceps are by no means weak. Is this normal?"

So, because his triceps are tiring out before his chest, his chest is not getting the type of stimulation it can really handle and needs for optimum growth. In short, his tiring triceps are holding back his chest stimulation.

Now, if he lowers the weight he's using for benching, then this will allow for two positive things to happen.

1) It will allow his triceps not to tire out as quickly during his sets.

2) It will allow him to better stimulate his chest (because his triceps will not be tiring out as quickly). If he can better stimulate his chest, then his chest will become stronger. The stronger his chest, the more weight he'll eventually be able to handle for his chest exercises.

One has to remember, than when you're working chest, the primary goal should be to make sure the chest gets worked..and worked hard. If your smaller muscle groups are failing before your larger ones, then a plan has to be developed. Lowering the weight so that one can extend the set to the point where the larger muscle group gets worked properly and the smaller ones can handle the load better and not fail as fast, is just one solution.

Another would be to pre-exhaust the chest with isolation exercises...such as flat bench flyes, incline flyes, cable cross-overs, etc., and then move onto bench presses.

As well, obviously, if your triceps are the weak point in chest movements, then ensuring that you strengthen your triceps up well on your triceps workout is of paramount importance. Because eventually, your triceps will be strong enough where they do not fail before your chest, and if you lower the weight to allow your chest to get worked properly, then your chest will also become stronger and able to handle more weight in itself.... and all this will not be an issue.

I hope all this makes sense!