Is it stupid to do Triceps and Chest on the same day?

[Raider]

I normally do a 3-day split something like this:

Day 1:
Biceps
Back
Upper Legs

Day 2:
Shoulders
Neck
Calves

Day 3:
Chest
Triceps

However I'm thinking Day3 might be a bit stupid, as yesterday I did Triceps first (since the benches were all taken) then went to do some dumbbell bench press. I found that because my triceps were a bit tired I found it much harder.

I could just do Chest work first... but maybe switching around would be better. Maybe Chest, Neck, Calves. Then Shoulders / Triceps?

 

[red11]

Nope, I do chest and triceps in the same day. A lot of the main exercises uses the other muscle anyway.

 

[Raider]

Nope, I do chest and triceps in the same day. A lot of the main exercises uses the other muscle anyway.

Do you think the order matters then? Maybe I just didn't rest enough between switching.

 

[DanH84]

do chest before tri ceps, you don't want to pre exhaust them before you get on the bench.

 

[red11]

Do you think the order matters then? Maybe I just didn't rest enough between switching.

I'd usually do the main chest exercises followed by triceps as I don't want to tire out before doing any of the core exercises. But reading your post, it was a one off that you did it in reverse order and I would feel the same doing triceps first and then chest.

 

[Admiral Huddy]

Not at all. However, doing chest will pre-exhaust them becuase you'll be using them to the lessor extent anyway. Which is fine and some prefer this but I prefer hitting them fresh. Personal preference.

Try it and see how you get on. There's no fixed rules about what you can and what can't train together. It's about what suits you and your body.

 

[Bakedgoods]

It's always a good idea to do your big compound exercises first in my opinion. I definately wouldn't do any tricep exercise before benching.

Mondays workout in order....

Flat Barbell Bench Press 3x8
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3x8
Dumbbell flys 3x8
Dumbbell Shoulder Press 3x10
Skullcrushers 3x10

The flys aren't really necessary, it depends how you treat your bench. As a primary chest exercise, or a tricep exercise. If i'm mainly lifting with my triceps i'll probably include them, if i'm focusing on lifting with my chest there's no need.

 

[Raider]

Another chest related thing, sometimes when doing a simple dumbbell bench press I feel like my arms and shoulders are doing most of the work, rather than my chest. Is this normal?

I can feel my chest work a bit more if I do dumbbell flies.

 

[Bakedgoods]

Another chest related thing, sometimes when doing a simple dumbbell bench press I feel like my arms and shoulders are doing most of the work, rather than my chest. Is this normal?

I can feel my chest work a bit more if I do dumbbell flies.

I'll re-iterate my post above.

Many members will agree when they say flys are good for establishing that mind to muscle connection with your chest.

What do you want from your dumbbell press? Do you want to treat it as more of a chest exercise or an arm exercise? Obviously it does hit both but you can pretty much decide which muscle you want to take more of the weight.

In other words, you can push it up with your arms/shoulder muscles and not give much thought to your chest, or you can squeeze it up with your chest. If you are focusing on using your chest more you probably wont be able to lift as much weight.

Is that any help?

 

[Admiral Huddy]

Another chest related thing, sometimes when doing a simple dumbbell bench press I feel like my arms and shoulders are doing most of the work, rather than my chest. Is this normal?

I can feel my chest work a bit more if I do dumbbell flies.

Try pressing with the bar/bells above the chest. Say above the nipples. A lot of people I see press just above the collar bone, then straight up.. lock.. then straight down. Don't lock your arms at the top. Doing this relaxes the muscles when they should be working. Keep the weights moving in a slow controlled manner.

 

[WantoN]

Try keeping your shoulders drawn back and try not to arch your back off the bench when you press, focus on the action the chest is carrying out. Also, don't bring your arms in too early into the movement.

Ant

EDIT: I've no idea how this came out so wrong. changed.

 

[Morba]

triceps before benching? will generally make chest exercises pointless. your tris will be tired before your chest, which is not a good thing.

DB press: get onto youtube and coopersguns to look for some vids on form.

flyes do feel like they work the chest more as they are more of an isolation move, rather than a compound.

 

[MTA99]

If you can't feel it on your chest here's a couple of tips...

Keep your elbows flared out. Most people bench with elbows by their side (not literally but i'm exaggerating for effect) because you can recruit more muscles and lift heavier = ego lift!!

Using a barbell and next to no weight (empty bar is best to start), lower the bar to your chest (or just above if you've got dodgy old shoulders - you know who you are ) then on the way back up try and push your hands together. Don't actually let your hands move along the bar but you should find the bar "pops" up nice and easy, you'll be surprised. That's the chest working not the triceps. Wish i'd found this out earlier cos i find it really hard not to bench with triceps

As was mentioned above try bringing the bar or DBs down to the lower part of your chest. Its still possible to use mainly triceps but that little movement will make you more aware of your chest. Don't lock out your arms and don't do the movement too quickly.

 

[Raider]

If you can't feel it on your chest here's a couple of tips...

Keep your elbows flared out. Most people bench with elbows by their side (not literally but i'm exaggerating for effect) because you can recruit more muscles and lift heavier = ego lift!!

Using a barbell and next to no weight (empty bar is best to start), lower the bar to your chest (or just above if you've got dodgy old shoulders - you know who you are ) then on the way back up try and push your hands together. Don't actually let your hands move along the bar but you should find the bar "pops" up nice and easy, you'll be surprised. That's the chest working not the triceps. Wish i'd found this out earlier cos i find it really hard not to bench with triceps

As was mentioned above try bringing the bar or DBs down to the lower part of your chest. Its still possible to use mainly triceps but that little movement will make you more aware of your chest. Don't lock out your arms and don't do the movement too quickly.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I tried a few different things last night and I think I improved things a bit. Next time i'm going to try that barbell idea, as from memory I always seemed to feel it more in my chest when I used the smith machine (as opposed to dumbbells).