chest trouble

so in the 18-24 months I've been lifting, I have always struggled with chest development (size and strength). There has been some progress, but not as much as my back and other areas have seen. In particular, I struggle with presses. When I say 'struggle,' I mean fatiguing early in my sets from should exhaustion as opposed to tricep or chest exhaustion. I keep my chest flexed and pull my shoulder blades back as though theyre clenching a tennis ball. Additionally, I focus on the negative as well, pushing the weight up and lowering it slowly, while squeezing at the same time. I keep my arms positioned at 45 degrees-ish and squeeze my pecs when pushing weights up. Yet, I still feel fatigue in my shoulder long before chest. I train my shoulders too (on a different day, not before chest) with lat raises, military press, and reverse flyes. Idk what it is. A few people have told me that because I am tall (6'5), my fulcrum point is different than most. I don't what to think. Flyes and cable presses seem to be the only "lifts" that fatigue my chest as opposed to shoulders. Help....

I had this problem for years. Although I am average height I have very long arms for my size.

You mention about pulling your shoulder blades together but nothing about pulling them down as well, this is vitally important if you are not doing this already. I am naturally broad shouldered so think about making myself as narrow as possible when doing any form of chest press.

This sets me up before I start a set of chest presses. Another thing is the arc that you use when you lift and lower the weight, experiment to find out what is best for you so that you involve the pecs more.

A final tip is to use moderate/heavy weights only, never so heavy that you lose form. Press in 1-2 seconds, lower in double that and pause for one second at your chest (if you can't pause then the weight is too heavy for you).

My pecs used to be my weakest part, now they are in proportion with the rest of my physique. Takes time but well worth the effort. You'll get there!

thanks for all the tips guys! i had forgotten to mention dips....dips also seem to work my chest pretty well, as opposed to strictly shoulders.

i havent even thought of lowering the shoulders. that makes a lot of sense to me and ill be sure to focus on that next time. also, doing flyes and cable work before never occurred to me. i like that idea alot!

i also came across an article yesterday that mentioned taller people have more success doing decline press as opposed to flat or incline because it puts their shoulders below chest automatically.

overall, heard some great tips. glad to know im not alone with this problem!