Bench tips

[RZIDE]

I have been trying to add some heavy overload work to the end of some of my lifts. I don't really power lift but I like to go 1x1-3 at about 80-100% set at the end of Squat, Bench and deadlift. But, I struggle with the bottom portion when I do barbell bench. I have a decently explosive lockout once I get about half way through my ROM.

Anyone have some tips or trick to focus on the bottom half of the bench movement?

Thanks all.

[TLopez]

Slingshot.

http://www.howmuchyabench.net/sling-shots

[Colokrom]

I think you would be better off doing pause reps or pin presses on the rack. Pin presses/dead press helped me alot when I did a grip change

[Adam2433]

I second the slingshot recommendation. Reverse band work would also be a good idea for overload work. However overload work will not help you out of the hole as much as it will with top end lock out. Pin presses would exclusively work lock out. Unless Colokrom is referring to a dead bench where the rack is set at or just above your chest. I am not a fan of those though because I see far too many people do them without being able to maintain bench form. Instead they allow there body to break form to seek better leverage points. This helps for the particular movement but will teach bad habits.

For bottom end strength I would suggest ensuring legitimate competition length pauses. Band work that will require you to fire out of the hole and out race the bands to the top will also help. Flat dumbbell press with pauses at the bottom is also a good movement as long as you're careful to not overstretch.

[Colokrom]

I second the slingshot recommendation. Reverse band work would also be a good idea for overload work. However overload work will not help you out of the hole as much as it will with top end lock out. Pin presses would exclusively work lock out. Unless Colokrom is referring to a dead bench where the rack is set at or just above your chest. I am not a fan of those though because I see far too many people do them without being able to maintain bench form. Instead they allow there body to break form to seek better leverage points. This helps for the particular movement but will teach bad habits.

For bottom end strength I would suggest ensuring legitimate competition length pauses. Band work that will require you to fire out of the hole and out race the bands to the top will also help. Flat dumbbell press with pauses at the bottom is also a good movement as long as you're careful to not overstretch.

Yea 10-4 on that, referring to dead presses starting at the bottom. I started with very light weight and worked my way up. Worked extraordinarily well. I found it to help me keep form rather than take it away. But everyone is different.
Adam is spot on with overload work.

[nexa]

I don't really power lift but I like to go 1x1-3 at about 80-100% set at the end of Squat, Bench and deadlift. But, I struggle with the bottom portion when I do barbell bench. I have a decently explosive lockout once I get about half way through my ROM.

You do heavy singles-triples with every workout?

[RZIDE]

You do heavy singles-triples with every workout?

I usually take a week off from the the heavy stuffy every couple weeks. Just depends on how I am feeling with strength and any injuries/soreness.

I try to progressively work up in weight and reps until i cruise, so heavy singles would only be the couple weeks before a deload.

Thanks for all the advice, i will definitely try working in some pause work.

[Uncxrt]

For help getting stronger off the chest, do dead bench.

[Colokrom]

Wow nice total Uncxrt:hail:

[MaxNat]

Spoto presses (stopping just short of your chest on the bottom with everything tight and your lats loaded, and pausing at the bottom before you explode up), and dead bench.

[Adam2433]

After everyone recommending dead bench maybe I will have to give it another try after this next meet. Colokrom, I think I will take your advice and start light and only work up as form allows.

[RZIDE]

After everyone recommending dead bench maybe I will have to give it another try after this next meet. Colokrom, I think I will take your advice and start light and only work up as form allows.

Same here, does anyone have any recommendations as to when and how often to do them? Like every rep vs the last couple reps of the last set....

[Adam2433]

Same here, does anyone have any recommendations as to when and how often to do them? Like every rep vs the last couple reps of the last set....

You're misunderstanding what a dead bench is. I believe all bench press reps should be paused on the chest no matter how many reps are in the set. Practice how you play.

A dead bench is setting the spot pins on a power rack as close to your chest as possible. Lay the barbell across it and load it up to the desired weight. Now wiggle under the bar and set your form just as you would a normal bench press. Except now the set starts at the bottom or a "dead" stop. You don't get the benefit of the eccentric portion of the rep and the stretch reflex. You are forced to drive hard out of the hole. Does that make sense?

As I mentioned above I have seen many people do them but break form very easily to try to gain better leverage. It is only human nature. You have to keep super tight and disciplined. Colokrom suggested starting very light and working up slowly as your ability improves.

May I ask what your lifting experience is and current bench press is? I am starting to get the hint that perhaps some of these techniques is beyond your level of development. You may simply benefit from working on correct form, progressive overload and learning to pause.

[TLopez]

Dead bench is a great accessory. I used them training for my last 2 meets. They are a bitch. And, as Adam said before, it is very easy to break form. That being said, start light and work from there.

It feels like you're trapped under a car and you're trying to lift it off of you.

[RZIDE]

You're misunderstanding what a dead bench is. I believe all bench press reps should be paused on the chest no matter how many reps are in the set. Practice how you play.

A dead bench is setting the spot pins on a power rack as close to your chest as possible. Lay the barbell across it and load it up to the desired weight. Now wiggle under the bar and set your form just as you would a normal bench press. Except now the set starts at the bottom or a "dead" stop. You don't get the benefit of the eccentric portion of the rep and the stretch reflex. You are forced to drive hard out of the hole. Does that make sense?

As I mentioned above I have seen many people do them but break form very easily to try to gain better leverage. It is only human nature. You have to keep super tight and disciplined. Colokrom suggested starting very light and working up slowly as your ability improves.

May I ask what your lifting experience is and current bench press is? I am starting to get the hint that perhaps some of these techniques is beyond your level of development. You may simply benefit from working on correct form, progressive overload and learning to pause.

Ive been lifting for about 10 years. Strictly powerlifted for 1 year and more bodybuilding oriented lifting for the last 2. Anything before that was sport specific. So I still have a lot to learn but I feel like I have the basics down well.

I do apologize, I misinterpreted what was meant by Dead stop. what you have described above I had known as pin presses. I had assumed what was described as dead stop was to lower to your chest, pause , then continue with the press back up. Hence why I asked about sets and reps. My fault lol.

Thanks for all the help and sorry for the confusion.