Female breasts and bench press

[Moc7878]

Hi Mark,

Here is a question I believe only you can answer :-)

My wife says she doesn't want to do the bench press because it makes the breasts look ... unfavorable

Is there something to it or pure bs?

Thanks for your help !

[Mark Rippetoe]

I'm glad you asked this question. It could be that she is right. I have had decades of experience with the examination of breasts both before and after strength training. Before giving a definitive answer, I'll need to see the breasts in question. Post photos of these breasts unencumbered by clothing from a minimum of 5 angles in your reply. For the most complete analysis, I'll also need to see videos of these naked breasts in motion, so videos of her walking, lying on her back, and on her knees will be very helpful.

We look forward to your reply.

[Steve Hill]

We look forward to your reply.

But will you SHARE it? There's the question!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Of course. We are professionals here.

[cutlet#]

I'm glad you asked this question. It could be that she is right. I have had decades of experience with the examination of breasts both before and after strength training. Before giving a definitive answer, I'll need to see the breasts in question. Post photos of these breasts unencumbered by clothing from a minimum of 5 angles in your reply. For the most complete analysis, I'll also need to see videos of these naked breasts in motion, so videos of her walking, lying on her back, and on her knees will be very helpful.

We look forward to your reply.

And maybe a few classier shots, for those of us at work. Playful cleavage, tasteful sideboob, spilled milk on white tank top, etc.

[BigA]

My ex girlfriend's breasts got perkier due to the bench press. So there you go.

[Mark Rippetoe]

And then she left you.

[KurtN]

I'm glad you asked this question. It could be that she is right. I have had decades of experience with the examination of breasts both before and after strength training. Before giving a definitive answer, I'll need to see the breasts in question. Post photos of these breasts unencumbered by clothing from a minimum of 5 angles in your reply. For the most complete analysis, I'll also need to see videos of these naked breasts in motion, so videos of her walking, lying on her back, and on her knees will be very helpful.

We look forward to your reply.

What an amateur. This situation obviously requires an in-person, private consultation. With all the complexities involved it could last for hours...

[Philbert]

Hi Mark,

Here is a question I believe only you can answer :-)

My wife says she doesn't want to do the bench press because it makes the breasts look ... unfavorable

Is there something to it or pure bs?

Thanks for your help !

In addition to the other helpful suggestions in this thread, I will add that some people have a subjective definition of what makes a breast look "favorable". If your wife is such a person it will be helpful to have similar sets of photographs of sets of breasts she considers "favorable" and "unfavorable" in appearance. If she is more objective in her criteria (40% upper pole, 60% lower pole, 15 degree upward angulation of the nipple) then additional pictures will not be essential.

More to the point of your question, can you postulate a mechanism by which increasing the mass of the pectoralis major would degrade the appearance of the breast? I cannot, but I do know that taking androgens and cutting body fat aggressively will have an adverse effect on breast volume, and sub-glandular implants (as used by female bodybuilders and some figure competitors) are inferior in long term appearance to the submuscular implants typically used in reconstruction after cancer.

[Mark Rippetoe]

A thoughtful, very mature post, Philbert. Thank you.