The Influence of Grip Width on Training Volume During the Bench Press with Different Movement Tempos

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the wide-grip bench press (WGBP) and the close-grip bench press (CGBP) on the number of performed repetitions (REPs) and time under tension (TUT) using a variable tempo of movement. Twenty (20) women experienced in resistance training were enrolled in the study (1RM-CGBP = 55.2 ± 9.5 kg; 1RM-WGBP = 52.7 ± 8.5 kg). Participants performed 5 sets of the BP with a maximal number of REPs at 70%1RM. Different tempos of movement, i.e., slow (6/0/X/0) and fast (2/0/X/0), and grip widths, i.e., the CGBP and the WGBP, were employed. The following variables were registered: maximal number of repetitions in every set (REP Set1-5 ), total number of repetitions performed in 5 sets (TREP), maximal time under tension in every set (TUT Set1-5 ) and total time under tension in 5 sets (TTUT). The two-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences between the WGBP FAST and the WGBP SLOW in TUT Set1-5 (p < 0.05) and TTUT (p < 0.01), as well as between the CGBP FAST and the CGBP SLOW in TUT Set1-5 (p < 0.01) and TTUT (p < 0.01). Significant differences between the WGBP FAST and the WGBP SLOW were also observed in REP Set1-5 (p < 0.01) and TREP (p < 0.01) as well as between the CGBP FAST and the CGBP SLOW in REP Set1-5 (p < 0.01) and TREP (p < 0.01). No significant differences between the WGBP SLOW and the CGBP SLOW nor the WGBP FAST and the CGBP FAST were found. The study demonstrates that the tempo of movement, regardless of the width grip, has a significant effect on the volume of effort in resistance training.