Why should you not lockout on benchpress ?

[al420]

Some of us train the lift, not the muscle. I think that is the main difference. I train flat bench in low reps w/ ton of focus on progression. I lift under 'meet rules' which to me makes it a real lift (bar touches my chest and I lock out each rep, any help and no rep!).

After I train the 'lift" I do some DB pressing for my chest (cause I likes to be swole for the bitches too)

 

[Mrpumped]

For some it is habit. Most do it and don't realize it. It is much better to keep tension on the muscle and MUCH better for your elbows if you don't lock out. Research it, almost every article on weightlifting and sports tells you NOT to lock your elbows.

That's exactly what I was referring to. Also, I wasn't talking about bouncing the weight off my chest or any other rediculous thing I see some do and going half way up. I don't lockout because it hurts my elbows and it takes the tension off my chest. That is the proper way to do a bench press.

 

[samoth]

I hope the PLers of EF are reading this thread and laughing at all the BBers too scared to lock out their bench.

 

[Neo22]

Try not locking out your singles and see where it takes you.

You'll be telling us next that the Olympic snatch and the jerk are noted for ruining elbows. It's just not so.

"Whaddya mean red lights? It's bad to lock your elbows!"

I learn most of my stuff from one of the guys that used to work for NASM. The whole point of pressing for most bodybuilders is to target the muscles and put them under as much tension as possible. Its A LOT harder to press 225x12 without locking out than with.

 

[al420]

I learn most of my stuff from a Holiday Inn Express...

The 'benchpress' is a 'lift' so it has ways of being properly preformed. Touching your chest is first, and locking out is second. Pretty simple rules.

If you are doing something different, fine, but it is not a 'benchpress'.

 

[Bruce]

sorry its much harder to go up almost all the way and come down with constant tension rather than relaxing at the top locking out, the only thing your builing is stabilizer muscles. i could care less about how much i can bench or whatever. i do form well and try and build the muscles up to look shredded. even aap, who i have not seen one pic to put him to shame, is a huge advocate of low weights with high reps.

and doing singles like that is the hardest thing. one dumbell at a time doing inclines, don't lock up go all the way up and come right down, in fact i'll go do it right now hold on.

i can do more reps on singles if i lock at the top and rest rather than keep it going. my tris burn much more with the non lock out

 

[blut wump]

A single is a set of one rep after which you take a decent rest before attempting another set. Not locking out a single is, pretty much by definition, a failed lift. I find it hard to distinguish, even in principle, between a single with no lockout and a failed lift. Even a casual observer is likely to come over and tell you that you almost had it.

 

[Kabeetz]

Smith Machines are as useful to a man as Tampons, and should be used accordingly.

Once used, put in a ziploc bag and save it in the freezer????


U're nuts. Anyway, I lock out always and I definitely stay away from the smith.

 

[Bruce]

well it really doesn't matter what you do as long as you look good imo or accomplish you goals. i trained at david barton all year last year till they raised the monthly rates. they train thomas jones on the bears and cedrick benson. the trainers eugene and derrick both blow away 95% of people on here except maybe danno, mak, gautho, and galaxy. sorry if i forgot anyone. they both do pushups and low weights with high reps on bench, never locking out. after one day of doing chest with them i had never been more sore in my life. do what works for ya

 

[al420]

Again, some people here train for looks and some for meets. Lockout is required for a white light, that is all I know.

Also - the NFL guys are training a lot of lifts 'wrong' b/c it benefits them in their spot more if done that way. That doesn't mean a Clean/Jerk should be done from the hang and caught high...that makes it a muscle clean which is a different lift...they still call them 'power cleans' but they are far from them.

So, for chest TUT may be king, but if you are talking Benchpress you gotta touch your chest and you gotta lock out.