Stats time!

[boringLife-]

put my stats for u all to laugh at

bench press 40kg
squat 60kg
deadlift 60kg
mili press 22.5 kg
bent over row 30kg

just started 1 month of stronglift..

 

[captnj]

If you want to prove a clean bench press with no cheating, just get a rope (or lifting strap) and tie one end to a small weight plate (or anything really). Put the rope under your butt when you bench, and if your butt leaves the bench the weight will drop. If the weight stays there, then its a bench press that will pass jsut about any federations' rules as well as the "rules" of the keyboard warrior types.

 

[rundymc]

Oooh, nice idea.
Also, I find it harder to 'bridge' with my feet behind my knees

 

[Bear943]

put my stats for u all to laugh at

bench press 40kg
squat 60kg
deadlift 60kg
mili press 22.5 kg
bent over row 30kg

just started 1 month of stronglift..

I don't think anyone is laughing. Everyone starts from somewhere. The thing that matters is where do you go from here.

 

[Bear943]

Perhaps if one isn't so quick to judge on the intents of people who reply, he might see some value to the questions being asked. I've re-read what jctan posted - it was merely a picture of Rippetoe's recommended bench setup, followed by an excerpt from what I can only assume is Starting Strength. No snide comment from jctan. No interpretation on his part. Purely Rippetoe. Now I can't speak for everyone, but I for one would like to know what Rippetoe, or any other established coach/athlete would have to say about grip or any other relevant topic. So, I thought those were pretty appropriate and interesting comments. I would think anyone interested in improving their knowledge would applaud the information sharing, regardless of how much they can bench.

I did not notice this response...... In any case JC's posts did not come accross as being inquisitive rather it came off as being condescending and accusatory, insinuating that armwrestler's form was somewhat questionable due to his grip and his arch etc

I asked about his/her bench numbers with no intention to call him out but I would like some assurance that the advice or critique given is somewhat from a credible source. I am not in the habit of belittling anyone's numbers especiall e-numbers. it turns out he does not even bench so how is he going to give an objective critique on a person's form in the bench? it is somewhat akin to reading an aircraft user manual in a day or two and deciding that yep he is gonna fly the damn plane which airline would allow that ?

My advice to him is basically that he can't just read about it, watch videos on it etc to gget proficient in it , he's got to get under the bar and feel and strain under the weight, practice and work from there. No matter how much you read, watch or dream about it, it all goes out the window if there is no practice.

 

[galapogos]

It's interesting how much people can glean from a simple cut and paste...a simple quote and picture can come across as condescending and accusatory, discounting someone else's achievements, insinuating that said achievements are questionable, etc...

In any case, jctan77 has clarified in his most recent post that he had no ill intent, so it's a simple misunderstanding. Words can be intepreted in many ways, especially on a medium where tone and body language are absent. So as much as possible, I suggest giving everyone the benefit of doubt, rather than immediately thinking the worst of them. It encourages sharing and lowers everyone's stress levels and hence cortisol. Win-win!

 

[Bear943]

It's interesting how much people can glean from a simple cut and paste...a simple quote and picture can come across as condescending and accusatory, discounting someone else's achievements, insinuating that said achievements are questionable, etc...

and In any case, jctan77 has clarified in his most recent post that he had no ill intent, so it's a simple misunderstanding. Words can be intepreted in many ways, especially on a medium where tone and body language are absent. So as much as possible, I suggest giving everyone the benefit of doubt, rather than immediately thinking the worst of them. It encourages sharing and lowers everyone's stress levels and hence cortisol. Win-win!

Interesting how you quoted my post and basically used the term 'people'. With respect to your post, it's called reading between the lines and in this case there was'nt much needed as it came off as being rather apparent. Agreed with your post to an extent, it is easy to misrepresent intent in a medium where it is difficult to discern tone, expression etc but that is not an excuse for the lack of tact especially during this digital age where faceless communication is the norm.

In any case, this was never about discouraging sharing or thinking the worst of people etc like you made it out to be but rather how JC's supposed lack of tact made him/her sound like an arrogant know it all to a chap that just benched 2.2x plus bodyweight raw( any rawer, he'd be benching in his birthday suit). JC no offence but seriously your past posts in relation to Armwrestler's bench really did come off as that. To put things into perspective I bench upwards of 160kg for reps and my form is very much different from Armwrestler's but you don't see me quoting random articles implying that he is doing it wrong and saying he bridges etc. There are ways to ask questions without coming off as a total prick, I guess it comes with maturity. With regards to cortisol levels , if such things affect cortisol levels, well how does one deal with real life such work, family, committments, studies etc. The saying don't sweat the samll stuff comes to mind.

In any case JC subsequently clarified his/her posts and that he does not even bench which in my opinion says that he is a stand up guy/gal, he could easily have come up with inflated e bench numbers but he did not. Credit to him/her. I don't think there is anything wrong with my advice to him or with any of my posts in relation to the matter but apparently you read it otherwise.

 

[galapogos]

If you had read my post more carefully, you'd realize that I quoted more than just you.

In any case, both of us have made our points, and it's rather apparent that we choose to have different ways of perceiving people's intents and how we handle people rated matters. So in this case, let's just agree to disagree.

 

[jctan77]

If you want to prove a clean bench press with no cheating, just get a rope (or lifting strap) and tie one end to a small weight plate (or anything really). Put the rope under your butt when you bench, and if your butt leaves the bench the weight will drop. If the weight stays there, then its a bench press that will pass jsut about any federations' rules as well as the "rules" of the keyboard warrior types.

Oooh, nice idea.
Also, I find it harder to 'bridge' with my feet behind my knees

Just to share...

More a problem is placing the feet up too far, back under the hips with the knees at an acute angle. This position predisposes you to bridge your butt up in the air...
:
:
This is not to say that everybody with their feet up under the hips will bridge. But most lifters that bridge do so from this position...

Perhaps this is a more "convenient workaround"

... A little wider foot position, particularly with feet in full contact with the floor, will make it difficult to bridge because the slack has been taken out of the hips.

 

[Bear943]

Just to share...


Perhaps this is a more "convenient workaround"

JC have you started benching yet?? Trust me all the reading etc won't do you any good without application. You got to get under the bar and take it from there b/c you've got to find what works for you. You would get more proficient with practicing what you've observed/read. Just reading about it won't do you any good.

 

[rundymc]

Just to share...


Perhaps this is a more "convenient workaround"

Agreed with Bear. I've read SS too, but there's a lot of info in there that I found didn't apply to me, or that I moved away from (look at me, I'm talking like I've been doing this for a decade). The section you quoted above is one of them, especially when my feet are WAY back (in which case I only bridge when I'm desperate).

I guess the point is, I think it's great that you're reading up on weight training, I just don't want you to get the idea that Rip is the end all be all (really no one is, most videos of different coaches have different solutions to the squat and deadlift).

 

[jctan77]

:
JC no offence but seriously your past posts in relation to Armwrestler's bench really did come off as that
:

I think you probably mixed me up with someone else. The very first posting in relation to Armwrestler's bench is #1161. And as galapogos mentioned in his earlier post, I didn't give any remarks or comments (as well as for all the rest of my postings), only copy and paste for forumers to compare the variations. I didn't have a single thought of who is right or wrong, only "why he is doing this way, but you are doing this way?", "he has his reason for doing this way, so what is your reason for doing this way?" going on in my mind.

Since I don't have my own "style" yet, and still mainly learning from Mr. Rippetoe, might as well quote from his knowledge.

:
:
I just don't want you to get the idea that Rip is the end all be all (really no one is, most videos of different coaches have different solutions to the squat and deadlift).

This is the MAIN REASON why I am posting here...Now you guys finally get it In fact I have some doubt that his knowledge might be outdated(Starting Strength 2nd Ed was published in 2007), and I am thinking if I might find a more update info here in this thread.

JC have you started benching yet?? Trust me all the reading etc won't do you any good without application. You got to get under the bar and take it from there b/c you've got to find what works for you. You would get more proficient with practicing what you've observed/read. Just reading about it won't do you any good.

In fact I tried out squating first at nearby Clubfit few weeks ago. Very crowded especially the benching area At least not much people squat(only need to queue behind 1 person), managed to tryout squating with empty bar. After that, not motivated to go back. I have already placed an order for a barbell set together with a rack for my home gym, will be delivering after CNY. In the meantime, just do more reading ups, and stick with my dumbbells

 

[Bear943]

Agreed with Bear. I've read SS too, but there's a lot of info in there that I found didn't apply to me, or that I moved away from (look at me, I'm talking like I've been doing this for a decade). The section you quoted above is one of them, especially when my feet are WAY back (in which case I only bridge when I'm desperate).

I guess the point is, I think it's great that you're reading up on weight training, I just don't want you to get the idea that Rip is the end all be all (really no one is, most videos of different coaches have different solutions to the squat and deadlift).

Just curious, once your feet are behind your knees, does it really help to lift the arse off the bench (bridging?) ?

 

[jctan77]

Just curious, once your feet are behind your knees, does it really help to lift the arse off the bench (bridging?) ?

Not in the level to practically experience yet, so quoting the "claim" from...(if I interpret correctly)

:
This position predisposes you to bridge your butt up in the air, and that is usually the reason people do it - if you have your feet too far up under your butt, and too close together with your heels up off the floor, you're going to bridge the heavy reps.

 

[galapogos]

Physically it does seem to increase the tendency of "bridging"(didn't even know there's a term for butt-off-the-bench) simply due to the leverages. Back when I used to bench, I find having my feet firmly planted on the ground(heels to toes) helps in tightening up the entire body and transfering force all the way to the ground. But that's just me.

 

[cowed77]

I haven't read this recent page, but frankly, jc's posts after tt vid also gv me the vibe tt he was trying to discredit it. He din ask, and merely copy pasta bits tt sound condescending. After ppl pointed sth out, he again copy pasta-ed something discrediting.
Of course, he did come out to say that wasn't his intentions, but heh, who's to say wat would hv happened had more ppl were in agreement with him?

 

[cowed77]

Ok, just finished reading... Wasn't tryin to stir the pot again, just post trigger happy.
Well, at least ur starting alr jc.
After so many reps of arching, do u guys feel anything in ur mid-lower back?

 

[Bear943]

Physically it does seem to increase the tendency of "bridging"(didn't even know there's a term for butt-off-the-bench) simply due to the leverages. Back when I used to bench, I find having my feet firmly planted on the ground(heels to toes) helps in tightening up the entire body and transfering force all the way to the ground. But that's just me.

being a fat arse with poor mobility, I can't get my feet flat on the ground if I set up with them behind my knees. Do you place your feet infront of your knees?
My previous training partner who squats 4 plates per side used to put them in front and spread the floor with them so to speak. His set up is really tight however I dont feel tight using his technique. but his bench sucks relative to his squat of course. 2 pps for a rep.

 

[Bear943]

Not in the level to practically experience yet, so quoting the "claim" from...(if I interpret correctly)

I bench with my feet behind my knees but not too far behind. The thing is my arse had never left the bench and have no inclination to. May be because I bench relatively straight up and down which feels natural to me and not in an exaggerated arc from the chest to above the eyes at lockout so dont feel like lifting my arse up

 

[rundymc]

Just curious, once your feet are behind your knees, does it really help to lift the arse off the bench (bridging?) ?

Personally? If I'm going to bridge, it doesn't matter where my feet are, I'll do it. Putting them behind my knees just makes it a bit harder. Spreading them out and forward too. As of late, I haven't had an inclination to bridge at all, even when barely getting a rep, or failing a rep without a spotter (thank god for the low uprights).