b.spencer

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

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

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

Those extra long arms should be an asset for deadlifting

sundevil#82

Indeed they are my friend.

Critical Mass

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

Sens

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

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

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

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

Striker

very true..and mines my left side