Decline bench

[PowerDaClean]

i think it has some merit. It reduces the involvement of the shoulders so you emphasizes the pecs and triceps. Crappy rom, yes, but you could always use dumbbells for dat dere deep pec stretch.

[Adam Skillin]

Crappy rom, yes, but you could always use dumbbells

Or do the weighted dips instead and not have to worry about heavy barbells falling on your neck. Dip handles for the squat rack take up far less space and cost much less than decline benches and sets of dumbbells too, which may be a important considerations for some people (like this guy).

[djsnit]

Dips as well seem to strain the shoulder. I am gonna have to do my own experiment and see if I get benefits from switching flat to decline.

[Mark Rippetoe]

As long as the waiver is signed, your dues are paid, and you're having fun, have fun.

[djsnit]

I have tried decline and incline for variations on the bench. Incline most definitely stresses the pec and upper body more generously than the decline. I believe I will stick to the incline as a variation

[Mark Rippetoe]

Excellent. Have fun!

[djsnit]

Mark, you rock

[John Watson]

Excellent. Have fun!

I used to have so much fun in the gym.
I wish I could go back in time and smack myself in the back of the head with a hardcover copy of Starting Strength, preferably mid-dumbell curl.
God, what a waste of time and propitious hormonal milieu.
Fortunately, it's never too late to learn.

[JimtheConquerer]

Excellent. Have fun!

I love how people post questions that have clearly annotated answers from the books. Note I've only read second edition, and you spell out a convincing argument for not doing decline.

And then by the end of the thread no matter what is said, they already had their minds made up as though the question was never asked and answered.

For the OP, are you actually doing flat bench correctly? Is the angle between your chest/lat and arm approx 90degrees? Because it isn't supposed to be if it is.

[DiddlySquat]

Are you saying Decline bench is dangerous because of being under a barbell at a decline angle?
I do decline dumbell bench sometimes.... (palms facing eachother), what's your opinion on that rip?