Knuckle position on bench press

[butterfly]

I was doing the bench press on Power Hour yesterday when Cathe said something like, "Be sure your knuckles are facing the ceiling." My second knuckles usually are (so my wrists are straight), but then I thought, "Maybe she means the first knuckles (the ones closest to the wrist)." I changed the knuckle position, bending my wrist away a little, and wow, did I ever feel a difference in my chest! I think changing the position took more weight off my arms and worked my chest more. Has anyone else tried this?

 

[dlp252]

I haven't, but I will!

 

[kathryn]

I would worry that this would put too much stress on the wrists because of the weight on the bent wrist. Rather than try this, I'd try a different hand position, perhaps a bit wider.

 

[Gibbee]

I could be confused, but I think if you adjusted your wrists like butterfly suggested, they would be straight (basically) toward the ceiling, not bent. The first joint at the end of the hand, not fingers, would be pointing to the ceiling. Not much different than pushups on your knuckles, I wouldn't think. (?)