Key exercises for a big raw bench.

[Trevor Ross]

Here's mine.

1) Heavy rows from the floor.
2) Heavy presses off the rack.
3) Hammer curls.
4) Medium grip pull ups.
5) Cuban snatches.
6) Barbell extensions/dips/close grip benches


Did I miss any?

[Trevor Ross]

7) Dumbbell flies.
8) Reverse flies.

[LtL]

I would include some kind of overload work as well.

- 2 board press
- Slingshot press

LtL

[LtL]

Oh and for some people overhead pressing work. Doesn't work for everyone though.

LtL

[Fazc]

I don't think you need a great deal of deviation from the big exercises, for the most part. It's just the Bench volume which I think needs cranking up for most people.

Benches
Overhead Presses
Chins/Rows
Squats
Deads

Aside from that some rearward shrugs or rows to chest would be good and a little overload work in the form of partials and/or slingshot work is fine. Anything more than that is wishful thinking I think.

[Ryano]

IMO, the best exercise for a bigger bench is bench...and more bench. Once you find a a sticking point, board presses at or just below the sticking point. If the sticking point is on the chest, do heavy pause presses.

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by Fazc

I don't think you need a great deal of deviation from the big exercises, for the most part. It's just the Bench volume which I think needs cranking up for most people.

Originally Posted by Ryano

IMO, the best exercise for a bigger bench is bench...and more bench.

When John Davis was asked what exercises could be done to improve one's press, his answer was "More pressing."

[Fazc]

Originally Posted by Off Road

When John Davis was asked what exercises could be done to improve one's press, his answer was "More pressing."

That was Norbert "Ski" Schemansky, or so the story goes

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by Fazc

That was Norbert "Ski" Schemansky, or so the story goes

Oops...I could have sworn Davis said something similar, but I've been wrong before. Getting my lifters confused (old age takes it toll).

Anyways, the message was correct.

[Fazc]

Originally Posted by Off Road

Anyways, the message was correct.

Definitely.

Davis also trained somewhat similarly so I guess he may have made similar comments. I think the story about Skee was something along the lines of:

"How do I improve my press, Mr. Schemansky?" a young man timidly inquired.

"Press!" growled Schemansky.

The young man in the story was supposedly a young Dr. Ken.

From what I recall of Davis he trained in a similar manner to Hepburn, repeated effort on the big lifts. But he did something like multiple doubles to Hepburn's famous multiple singles. And Davis would also specialise a week at a time on either the Snatch or C&J, alternating between the two. But a lot of this info is from Kubik so take it for what it's worth.