PL bench... how does this sound for form?

[SlavikHavik]

I was looking at some of the vids on the exercise description sticky.
Seems like the competition bench their, the guy has his elbows almost as far out as a BB bench.

When im benching i have my elbows and upper arm almost flush against my body at the bottom of the lift.
is this okay?

 

[Lat]

Its actually better. check out some videos on www.metalmilitia.net. Look at Lattimer, Burns, or Crawford for good form.

 

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

Most PLers tuck their elbows in towards their body. Very rarely does a good bencher let their elbows flare out to the side.

 

[slobberknocker]

The only guy I know of who advocated flared elbows was Kaz. Everyone else says to tuck them. I tried flaring for a while and puts a ton of stress on your shoulders.

 

[bignate73]

i tuck mine, but i often see people actually pull theirs in. seems moreso when using a shirt vs. raw though.

 

[Exodus]

I was looking at some of the vids on the exercise description sticky.
Seems like the competition bench their, the guy has his elbows almost as far out as a BB bench.

When im benching i have my elbows and upper arm almost flush against my body at the bottom of the lift.
is this okay?

if i had to guess..... but i think i know why.

powerlifters do tuck their elbows.

how wide is your bench?? where are your hands at on the bar.

comp powerlifters pretty much use the widest grip legal... which is, something has to be touching the ring, or closer.

so when you have your arms, that wide, tucking your elbows close to your side is impossible. but if your using a closer grip, like say , thumb touching the smooth or closer, then yes elbows next to the sides is possible.

X

 

[SlavikHavik]

index finger around the smooth ring

 

[bignate73]

just an FYI: i believe max allowable distance between forefingers is 80cm or 31'ish inches, which on most olympic bars is the distance between the 2 rings.