...there are only a couple of possible carryover benefits and they are very lifter dependent. It carries over fairly directly to Log Press, that neutral grip helps translate the power built benching into OH power and it also encourages a back lean that also channels that same strength path.
This makes me curious: when people say that bench translates to overhead press, how strict are they being with the overhead press? I'm not trying to imply that one way is "best," just that some folks
do perform their OVHP with more pronounced backwards "lean," which would involve more upper chest, correct? I do realize that to keep the center mass of the bar over your base of support, you have to lean at least a little (also to not hit your chin).
I guess I wonder if some people are comparing apples to oranges here? That is, those that see a lot of transfer, do you allow your ribs to flare up to press more with the upper pecs + delts, or do you keep the ribs down tight? Conversely, those that
do not see as much transfer, are you being very strict with the posture?
In the calisthenics world, there are two kinds of handstand pushups. One with a pronounced arch in the back, and one with a strict bodyline. The former is seen a LOT more often, and the latter is much, much harder. I wonder if the same principle applies here to bench and OVHP.
An interesting test may be a bench to
Z-press transfer. There's not as much leeway to lean back on those.
Thoughts?