i have read (here actually: www.swimdcac.org/.../article5.html) that the bench press does more harm than good for swimmers. what is everyone else's opinion (and experience)??
Former Member
Bench press is fine. I've done dips, barbell bench, and dumbbell bench in my workouts. Sometimes a specific exercise will cause pain if you do it too much, so you can just switch to another one for a while.
I was told by my last physical therapist that bench presses are not good for the shoulder because they force too much load through the front of the shoulder. He said that chest flys are the way to go.
My understanding that push ups are okay if your fingers face more out to the side and not forrows. So it's the bench press motion with the fly hand positioning.
No idea on pull ups.
Dips I would think would be okay because of the thumbs forward / fingers to the side positioning.
