Below Parallel on Dumbbell Bench Press?

[Guest guest]

I'm interested in the list's thoughts on proper depth for dumbbell

bench presses. I don't lower my arms deeper than parallel. I think I

first read this recommended depth in Everett Aaberg's Muscle Mechanics

(which recommends the same depth for barbell bench presses):

http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showexcerpt.cfm?excerpt_id=3000

Likness similarly writes in " The Bench Has Many Faces "

(http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/likness5.htm):

" Biomechanics tells us that the best grip to target the chest will

place your wrists over your elbows when your upper arm is parallel to

the floor. In other words, your arms should form a perfect right angle

when your elbow is level with your shoulder. The bar at this position

may be slightly above your chest, and you would not need to go below

this point (doing so increases involvement of the anterior deltoids or

front of the shoulder and triceps). "

In terms of subparallel dangers for dumbbell flyes, Ken Kinakin in

Optimal Muscle Training classifies " increased stress on the shoulder

joint and capsule " as a consequence of going " excessively below

parallel to the floor. "

Best regards,

Myles Kantor

Boynton Beach, FL