press and chins

[Blade]

My experience is that low-rep work potentiates BW chins, but only if you still have BW chins in your routine - on a separate day (heavy/light) or as a finisher (e.g. 3 x 3 + 1 set max reps).

[Mark Rippetoe]

It seems to me that weighted chins and high-rep capacity respond separately. I just got 17 a couple of nights ago, but I know I can't do more than about 65 lbs. for a single. As far as which is better, I suppose that, as usual, it would depend on what you're using them for. I have found that chin-up work improves the press when chinning strength is poor. Since chins are such a good upper body assistance exercise, I would speculate that weighted chins would help improve a press in the same way, by very effectively strengthening the supporting parts of the kinetic chain. This would make a good project for a hungry young CF Totaler.