I'm not sure why all of the histrionics are needed. But you make some good points. Seems almost everyone takes the seat back a notch, including you, but I get criticized for it. I agree that going to the nose is partial compared to going below the chin. I have stated repeatedly in my log that that's where I take the bar. Lighter sets I go to the chin but admittedly, with the top sets I only go to the nose. That's the one change I'll make. I won't sacrifice those 2" of ROM just to add more weight. As far as going below the chin. I don't really see the benefit from a shoulder movement in doing so. I'm here to learn so I don't care about the personal stuff. AJ, where do you take the bar when doing bb? And I agree with you on DB work. I usually do them standing and need to start them back into my rotation again. I take the DBs all the way to the shoulders.
First off dont compare anything I say to 'histrionics' histrionics implies the behavior of a woman, or some kind of bitch, which I am not. I am simply stating fact, that alltough Im being objective with this thread, I am not being objective with my judgement.
Now as far as where I take the bar the vid of poundstone is right where I take right below the chin my upper arms do go below parallel. With a heavier set where Im coming to 95% of my max then I might go more shallow and go right to the chin.
As I said earlier if I do some shallower range of motion I follow it up with a full range of motion set in the neighborhood of 10-12 reps immediately following.
For ex: If I was to use a smith machine (which I did when I had my forearm injury) I would start my first set at 3 plates, get usually close to 15 reps, add a 25 lb get around 8, and then go to 4 plates get 3...following the 4 plate set I would typically drop to 3 plates again do 8 more, drop to 2 plates and do 12 more, technique called double dropping, nothing Im sure you havent heard before.
Not only insuring that you worked partial, and full range but also rep ranges from 3 all the way through 8 and to 12 giving some multi fiber stimulation..so to speak.
SHINE mentioned he does that for strongman reasons, I can see that on the 'log press' event. Where qualification of each rep requires the log to come to that position.
In bodybuilding there is no set of rules but there are some guidelines, I use a deeper range of motion with a bar to strengthen the weakest range of motion. However others do not.
But look at the people with the best delt development in bbing history and you will see people like Kevin Levrone who did behind the neck presses in the neighborhood of 400 lbs and with a full range of motion.
You are a big fan of Arnold, yes? Arnold had a saying "half reps equal half muscles".
As I mentioned partials have there place but should not be the mainstay of your form, partials are a tool, but not the bread and butter.
As you demonstrated in your video the top range is also the strongest, so the weakest conversely is at the bottom.
This exaggerated range of motion that people are so quick to say is unnecessary, is actually quite beneficial.
For strengthening the weakest range of motion an old powerlifter showed me a nice trick.
Take a weight thats 30-40% of your 1 rm, take it down to the 'hole' and count 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, 3 one thousand, and explode out, hold the contracted position and slowly lower the bar again.
If you can get to 10 easily your going to light, the 10th rep should be close to impossible.
This strengthens the weakest range of motion.
Another method is to also strengthen the strongest range of motion where you see bands and chains employed on a bar, as the weight ascends the bar gets heavier, elementary.
