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Proper benching form
- Thread starter anthrax
- Start date
Shortest distance between 2 points.
When you unrack the bar, there's a range of a few inches inches where the bar is going to feel lighter than if it were closer to your head or feet, right?
This is where you want to be when you start. You bring it down to the top of your sternum and bring it back to the sweet spot. For many people that's back slightly towards the head. If you try bringing it straight up from there, your arms at lockout will extend further up than if your had followed the more natural curve up (adding inches you'd then have to press) besides possibly giving yourself disadvantageous leverage. Some benchers with severe arches do indeed end up bringing the bar almost straight up. On decline, of course, you've change the angle of leverage. Mine moves away slightly then,also.
Hope this makes sense.
This is where you want to be when you start. You bring it down to the top of your sternum and bring it back to the sweet spot. For many people that's back slightly towards the head. If you try bringing it straight up from there, your arms at lockout will extend further up than if your had followed the more natural curve up (adding inches you'd then have to press) besides possibly giving yourself disadvantageous leverage. Some benchers with severe arches do indeed end up bringing the bar almost straight up. On decline, of course, you've change the angle of leverage. Mine moves away slightly then,also.
Hope this makes sense.
You know, now that I've accepted your thanks, I've got to make an exception to what I've just said.
Westside Barbell style's a bit different. They set up with their feet wide and in front of them, not really using an arch. When they bring the bar up it mostly travels straight. It's hard to get a sense of the mechanics unless you try it.
Found a clip- Matt Smith
http://www.powermagonline.com/videos/Clip1069.rm
Westside Barbell style's a bit different. They set up with their feet wide and in front of them, not really using an arch. When they bring the bar up it mostly travels straight. It's hard to get a sense of the mechanics unless you try it.
Found a clip- Matt Smith
http://www.powermagonline.com/videos/Clip1069.rm
I think it was Simmons also, though in my mind it also refers to some sort of eye-hand coordination to increase your mental focus and drive. Like a golfer looking the ball into the hole.
Of course alot of WSB lifters seem to use the Metal Militia style set-up anyway. I guess it's good to break dogma and go with what you like.
Of course alot of WSB lifters seem to use the Metal Militia style set-up anyway. I guess it's good to break dogma and go with what you like.
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