Bench press, what do you think...

[louden_swain]

I am sorry. . but I don't see bouncing.

I see touch and go. We can probably find some pictures or a video of someone who is bouncing.

 

[spatts]

We're not giving him powerlifting advice. As a matter of fact, at the top of the thread, I prefaced my statements by reminding everyone that he is training for bodybuilding.

If he's not trying to be a powerlifter, why is he asking about bench competitions and leverage, and finding his weak link to lift more weight? A few of us have asked why his concern isn't on his chest, or some other hypertrophy specific issue WRT his bench. No answer. Someone who wants to do a bench comp, bench 500 pounds, and remain injury free, all while building more mass, is not going to get there benching with that form. Period. If that form worked, he would've been at 500 years ago. I don't mean that in a pointed way, I mean it literally. 7 years is a long ass time to still be in that range, even with a single ply poly. There is obviously a weakness, and he knows it, or he wouldn't be asking about it.

We have said repeatedly that his form is the issue. Someone told him the circular motion at the bottom (and whatever is causing that circular motion) is part of the problem and he replied with a rather "you don't know what you're talking about:"

I'm not really concerned with rather or not the circular motion is good or bad. So far it's been good to me. I'm getting stronger, chest is growing, and I'm remaining injury free. I'd just like to find the weak link and begin working on that.

Basically he said: I don't care about the circular motion that may be my weak link, I just want to find my weak link.

WRT the elbow tucking, how can you NOT tuck your elbows? Your two biggest issues here are the circular thing at the bottom, which is probably lats, and this elbow thing. If you can stand with your arms against your body and bend them to 90 degrees, then you can do it laying down too. This form critique was ruled out in post #4.

So what are we supposed to tell you? The obligatory, "Good work man! Keep the numbers coming! Stay strong!"

Bottom line, IMO, if you want to be a body builder start asking about your chest development and use less weight. If you want to bench 500, do a bench comp, etc...then take the quality advice and get better form.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I'm almost speechless from those that are busting my ass for asking a simple freakin question! If you don't have something positive and helpful to say, then shut the hell up!

Honestly, if you only knew who some of us were man.



Were here to help you never to hurt you.

 

[pwr_machine]

We're not giving him powerlifting advice. As a matter of fact, at the top of the thread, I prefaced my statements by reminding everyone that he is training for bodybuilding.

If he's not trying to be a powerlifter, why is he asking about bench competitions and leverage, and finding his weak link to lift more weight?

Over the course of the last few years, I trained like a powerlifter. I tried lifting heavy weights...low and behold, I grew. Right now, I'm not particularly training for powerlifting. But if I get stronger along the way, I'll take it.

A few of us have asked why his concern isn't on his chest, or some other hypertrophy specific issue WRT his bench. No answer. Someone who wants to do a bench comp, bench 500 pounds, and remain injury free, all while building more mass, is not going to get there benching with that form. Period.

Would you think that's why I asked the question? Here's an example, someone comes up to me and asks to critique a lift. I watch the lift and make a few suggestions on what I think they can improve. I don't immediately jump into basically saying you suck and your form sucks. I try to help the lifter as much as I can with constructive criticism. That's how I view the greatest lifters and coaches responding.

If that form worked, he would've been at 500 years ago. I don't mean that in a pointed way, I mean it literally. 7 years is a long ass time to still be in that range, even with a single ply poly.

That was just plain rude. Those 7 years powerlifting were all drug free. I also started out at a very light bodyweight and more of an endurance athlete with boxing, running, etc. I'm also 6' so I have a pretty good range of motion, but also know that I can carry more size and it will come with time. Most of the big benchers that everyone gets so excited about have been heavier since high school or even earlier. I haven't. I'm playing this game with the deck of cards that I have been dealt.

We have said repeatedly that his form is the issue. Someone told him the circular motion at the bottom (and whatever is causing that circular motion) is part of the problem and he replied with a rather "you don't know what you're talking about:"

Basically he said: I don't care about the circular motion that may be my weak link, I just want to find my weak link.

I saw the circular motion. I am very aware of it. I just want to know what's causing it, not just see it. PolishHammer and I have since agreed that it might be my shoulder girdle that is overcompensating. That's what I want to hear. The root of the problem.

So what are we supposed to tell you? The obligatory, "Good work man! Keep the numbers coming! Stay strong!"

That's not what I'm looking for, but I am looking for a bit more than "your form sucks".

Bottom line, IMO, if you want to be a body builder start asking about your chest development and use less weight. If you want to bench 500, do a bench comp, etc...your words not mine, then take the quality advice and get better form.

I said numerous times in this thread that I'll be working on things over the course of the next few weeks.

 

[pwr_machine]

Honestly, if you only knew who some of use were man.



Were here to help you never to hurt you.

I think some of you are, but I think there is a tactful way to approach the subject. It's not saying your form sucks and you'll never be a good lifter. Thanks for grasping what I have asked in the original post.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

to more clear,

you have strong shoulders. lucky for your sake right now that it is strong enough to handle what it being put upon it.

you may have to back-track and work the chest, over and over until the whole ENTIRE area is caught up entirely. It is a lengthy process but the results speak for themselves.

Based on your upper back development I would think about putting a ratio into your workouts to compensate for this weakness.

 

[pwr_machine]

to more clear,

you have strong shoulders. lucky for your sake right now that it is strong enough to handle what it being put upon it.

you may have to back-track and work the chest, over and over until the whole ENTIRE area is caught up entirely. It is a lengthy process but the results speak for themselves.

Based on your upper back development I would think about putting a ratio into your workouts to compensate for this weakness.

Thanks. You make some really good suggestions.

 

[Screwball]

pwr_machine,

Perhaps you should follow the advice of the only person that really matters to you. YOU... I've read more than a few of your postings where you ask for advice and then you disregard or belittle the advice you were given. Your approach is alienating some of the more valuable resources on this board and I'm sure it will be to your detriment. Good luck!

 

[pwr_machine]

pwr_machine,

Perhaps you should follow the advice of the only person that really matters to you. YOU... I've read more than a few of your postings where you ask for advice and then you disregard or belittle the advice you were given. Your approach is alienating some of the more valuable resources on this board and I'm sure it will be to your detriment. Good luck!

I can't think of anytime that I have done this. I value all constructive and helpful comments, tips, and advice. Sure, I may disagree, but I have reasons for that. Just because I disagree doesn't mean I don't value the opinions of others.

 

[spatts]

You don't listen to tact, pwr_machine. I wish you could see yourself from our shoes. You seem like someone with a shit load of potential that's too damn bullheaded to take a critique. Someone tactfully told you about form and the circular motion, and you basically said, "I don't care," in so many words. You said it had always worked for you. If it worked for you, then why are you asking? As you refused and refused tactful advice, people got fed up and took a more abraisive approach.

I meant what I said about your bench numbers. If you think that what you're lifting was ok because you were drug free and in single ply, then you're selling youself short. Man, you have a GREAT base! What could you do if you listened now and then? I see so many people making excuses for their lifts because they're drug free. They get a mindset that it's ok to expect a ceiling because they're not juiced.

So many coaches are like you. They are SO good at teaching that they get defensive when they have to be taught...and I don't mean defensive in a testy way, but resistant to advice. For example, saying the circular thing doesn't bother you and that you don't like to (can't?) tuck your elbows. How bout this: If you tucked your elbows, it would probably SOLVE the circular problem by stabalizing your range of motion through LAT RECRUITMENT. Kill two birds with one stone.

Please be more open minded to advice. I hate asking for help too, but I do it. I hate having to be retold shit over and over again. I hate it when people don't recognize how far I've come in a short time, etc...but if you stop learning, you stop improving.

Since you're picking and choosing the kind of advice you want to hear, I want to now pick and choose your reply:

"Interesting observation. I will try tucking my elbows and using my lats more to bench and see if it helps."

Not:

"No, that doesn't work for me as well as what I'm doing now."