This exercise is not to be confused with flyes. It is not the same thing. These are far safer and more effective.You grasp a pair of dumbells and press them straight above you.
This exercise will strengthen your chest, whichwill improve the start of your bench press. Dependingon the depth of the camber of your particular bar, youmay need to shorten it by adding boards to your chest.A 2"-3" stretch past chest level is a generalrecommendation. If the bar has a 5" camberand boards are added to cut the stretch down to 2".Too much stretch can be rough on the shoulders of somepeople as well as their pec/delt tie-ins. Some peopledo cambered bar benches with a touch-&-go style,others pause their reps.
Decline bench presses can simulate a competition bench for those that can arch well. Bands can be added to increase the intensity.