Loads the lower chest and lets you move serious weight.
Have a spotter hand you the bar, reaching back to unrack on a decline is sketchy.
Tipping the bench head-down lines the press up with the lower chest fibres and shortens the bar path, which is why most lifters press more here than on a flat bench. The triceps assist through the lockout as on any press, but the angle keeps the chest in charge for longer. It earns its place when you want to load the pecs heavy while keeping stress off the shoulders.
Neither is better, they load the chest from different angles. Flat is the all-round strength builder, decline biases the lower chest and tends to feel easier on cranky shoulders. Most people run flat as the main lift and decline as an accessory.
The decline shortens the range of motion and puts your press line through the strongest part of the chest. More weight is normal here, just do not let it turn into half reps, still touch the lower chest under control.
Yes, more than on any other press. Your legs are locked in and reaching back to unrack or escape a failed rep is awkward on a decline. Get a handout on the unrack and a watchful eye on heavy sets.
