Two workout questions?

Question

Two workout questions:

1) What are the benefits for doing a decline chest press? What are the target areas? Are they the same as an inclined?

2)I saw this guy do this several times: He takes a DB and (what looks like to me) tosses up and down in his hand in a rolling motion. What is this called and what are its target area and benefits?

Answer 1

1. Decline bench press

Target muscles

Pectoralis Major, Sternal
Synergists

Pectoralis Major, Clavicular
Deltoid, Anterior
Triceps Brachii
Dynamic Stabilizers

Biceps Brachii, Short Head

#2
Looks like the guy made it up. Only benefit would be your forearms and a little deep tissue massage.

Answer 2

The decline bench works the lower part of your pectorals. It sounds weird to think of a muscle in different parts, but the pecs are one of those that can be worked from above (incline bench press), dead center (regular old bench) and below (decline bench press). Depending on what you're training for, each has it's own benefits. I'm a free-climber, so I use the incline bench to strengthen support to my shoulders. The decline is a good core workout in that it strengthens the connection (physically and mentally) to the abdominal section. This one's great for a baseball swing or to build up core strength for heavy lifting.
As to the second question, I can only guess. He could be training his handspeed (boxing?) with short and fast toss-ups of weight to get his hands and arms used to moving and reacting at a fast pace...

Answer 3

Decline bench builds/isolates your lower pec, and incline builds/isolates your upper pec, for defining the central mass.

The DB tosser may be working on his 'grip' or 'wrist' strength which will enable him to handle heavier weights without injury.