To build a bigger chest, many of us turn to more volume and heavy bench pressing. While these methods are key to building solid slabs of muscle and maximizing growth, they can often lead to overtraining and joint issues if done over and over and over. Movements like the plate pinch press can be integrated into chest workouts to increase muscle hypertrophy and create a chiseled and defined pectorals, all while helping to minimize and limit shoulder (anterior shoulder) and overuse.
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In this article we will discuss plate pinch presses, offer exercise how-to-video demonstrations, and highlight the key benefits and value that this simple and effective accessory movement can offer coaches and athletes looking to maximize chest development.
Muscles Worked
The plate pinch press specifically targets the pectoral muscles, and is a great movement to limit the involvement of secondary muscles that are often recruited when doing other popular chest training movements; like bench pressing, dips, and even push ups. Below are the key muscles worked when performing plate pinch presses.
- Pectorals (chest)
- Triceps (lateral head primarily)
- Anterior Deltoid (minimize involvement by not holding hands too high in air)
Plate Pinch Press Exercise Demo (Chest)
In the below video, the plate pinch press is demonstrated. Note, this movement can be done using very little weight. Performing this movement with slow, controlled, and forced contractions is key to increasing time under tension and muscular engagement. Additionally, this movement can be performed standing or lying on a bench, using a wide variety of angles.
Benefits of the Plate Pinch Press (Chest)
Below are five benefits that coaches and athletes can expect to gain from performing the plate pinch press within chest workouts. Note, that this movement does not necessarily replace bench pressing as a whole, but can offer us unique and balanced approach to maximizing chest and pressing development.
Increased Time Under Tension
The plate pinch press involved a low load of resistance, as the lifter is often using 5-10lb plates, typically only 2-3 at a time. The key with this movement is not to move as much weight as possible, but rather to maximize tension and forcefully contract the pectorals throughout the entire range of motion. Sets of time repetitions or to complete exhaustion can be done to force muscular recruitment and fatigue, often performing sets lasting 45-90 seconds.
Isolation of the Pectoral Muscles
Bench presses, dips, and other popular chest movements do a wonderful job at building strength and muscular hypertrophy, however repetitive training of such movements can result in shoulder and elbow stress in some individuals. The plate pinch press has the ability to maximize pectoral involvement throughout isolating the chest muscles and minimizing the usage of larger muscle groups like the lats, triceps, and shoulders; all of which assist in typical pressing movements.
Train Chest Around Injury
Shoulder, elbow, and even wrist injury can plague chest training, as movements like the bench press, dips, and push ups can place strain and stress on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. In times of injury, isometrics and load loaded isolation movements can be used to rehabilitate muscle groups and/or provide enough stimulus to help athletes maintain muscle “pump” and being able to train around injuries.
Minimal Equipment Needed
The plate pinch press requires 2-3 plates, often performed with 5-25 lbs (per plate). While heavier presses can be done, the focus should be on the squeeze and tension created from pinching the plates between the hands is the key to developing muscular engagement. The ability to get a good muscle pump with load load and minimal equipment makes the plate pinch press a go-to movement for lifters of all levels and resources.
Build a Stronger, Leaner Chest with these Articles!
Check out the below articles, exercise, and workout ideas to build a stronger bench press and physique.
- Build Bigger Pecs (and Triceps) with this FOundational Gymnastic Movement
- 2 Bench Pressing Exercises to Maximize Strength
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