Incline Bench Press question(s)

[conorvansmack]

I'm giving some thought to adding Incline Bench Press to my routine. I'm currently doing Starting Strength (small mods) but can only get into the gym twice a week. I may be able to go up to 3 days/week with a shorter workout, which has me thinking of adding Incline Bench.
Currently:
workout 1 - Pull/chin ups, squat/front squat, bench press, rows/power clean
workout 2 - Dips, squat, OH Press, Deadlift

Proposed:
Day 1 - Pull/chin ups, Squat, Bench/Incline
Day 2 - Dips, Front Squat, OH Press
Day 3 - Squat, Bench/Incline, Deadlift

Is there any benefit that Incline bench press would add that flat bench and OH press are not?
Please see my thread for current numbers.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

FWIW: I used to lift every other day. I would often do incline on odd days and flat on even. Slgihtly different muscle groups being the reasoning.

Overhead press is shoulders (and back?) if memory serves. Incline still does pecs.

 

[alkemyst]

a Starting Strength workout should be pretty short already.

I think inclines are better than flat bench for most. If you are short on time doing inclines will combine some of the OH press and flat bench into one...

However; the OH press brings a lot more stabilizers into it.

One really has to target what they are trying to accomplish. SS/SL is the dogma here, but I don't see most keeping up with it. When you start to modify any 'set' program you start causing issues much of the time.

There are a ton of good 2,3,4,5, etc day splits on Bodybuilding.com...

How much time do you have for the gym? 30-60mins should be about enough for any person just starting out to even more seasoned folks.

 

[spamsk8r]

I remember reading an article by Bill Starr that said he prefers incline bench to flat bench because it works the muscles in much the same way but doesn't have the risk of shoulder injury that is present in the bench press. So I'd say go for it, but I wouldn't just throw it in randomly. Since Starting Strength is a linear progression you'll need to program it into a specific day/workout, and increase the weight each time, just like with the other lifts.

 

[StageLeft]

I remember reading an article by Bill Starr that said he prefers incline bench to flat bench because it works the muscles in much the same way but doesn't have the risk of shoulder injury that is present in the bench press. So I'd say go for it, but I wouldn't just throw it in randomly. Since Starting Strength is a linear progression you'll need to program it into a specific day/workout, and increase the weight each time, just like with the other lifts.

Strangely, I used to do incline bench for years and then after a long layoff from it (but still doing flat bench) I did an incline bench workout a few years ago and it was so fvcking damaging to my shoulder I vowed to never, ever do one again. I do incline dumbell press just fine, though!

 

[conorvansmack]

I remember reading an article by Bill Starr that said he prefers incline bench to flat bench because it works the muscles in much the same way but doesn't have the risk of shoulder injury that is present in the bench press. So I'd say go for it, but I wouldn't just throw it in randomly. Since Starting Strength is a linear progression you'll need to program it into a specific day/workout, and increase the weight each time, just like with the other lifts.

I appreciate the reply. Injury ins't a concern with bench press. Incline would be used on either day 1 or day 3, but not both. I would definitely treat it like any other lift in the program.

 

[MJinZ]

I'm giving some thought to adding Incline Bench Press to my routine. I'm currently doing Starting Strength (small mods) but can only get into the gym twice a week. I may be able to go up to 3 days/week with a shorter workout, which has me thinking of adding Incline Bench.
Currently:
workout 1 - Pull/chin ups, squat/front squat, bench press, rows/power clean
workout 2 - Dips, squat, OH Press, Deadlift

Proposed:
Day 1 - Pull/chin ups, Squat, Bench/Incline
Day 2 - Dips, Front Squat, OH Press
Day 3 - Squat, Bench/Incline, Deadlift

Is there any benefit that Incline bench press would add that flat bench and OH press are not?
Please see my thread for current numbers.

Yes, Incline stresses upper pectorals and more shoulders.