bench press

[parker]

any one think this is good for grappling. people say it isnt but i disagree. only recently started bench pressing but it definatly improves strength when grappling

[blevunly]

Of course it's good for your grappling the bench press activates more motor units than any other upperbody pressing lift. It uses the triceps, chest, and shoulders all valuable muscles while grappling.

The problem with the bench press is alot of people just bench and they don't work the pulling muscles through exercises such as bent rows, pull-ups, and chin-ups. If your antagonistic muscles are severly weaker then they will hinder the performance of the muscle you are trying to use and increase the risk of injury.

The following articles will help you achieve correct form. Do not let your elvows flare out and from personal experience I find that a grip around shoulder width is much kinder to the shoulders. I used to have some shoulder problems from benching, so just trying to pass on some useful info.

Shoulder Savers: Part I
by Eric Cressey
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1053531

How to Bench Press with Proper Technique & Avoid Shoulder Injuries
http://stronglifts.com/how-to-bench-press-with-proper-technique-avoid-shoulder-injuries/

[parker]

thanks

[AfroBandit]

im confused...HOW?? im not agreeing or disagreeing.....does it improve strength or technique

[donkeypunch]

im confused...HOW?? im not agreeing or disagreeing.....does it improve strength or technique

strenghth

[blevunly]

im confused...HOW?? im not agreeing or disagreeing.....does it improve strength or technique

When you push against near maximal resistance it causes your muscle fibers to breakdown and rebuild into larger more powerful fibers which inturn make you stronger.

If you're referring to grappling technique it doesn't improve it at all, but that's not its purpose so...

[kermitthefrayer]

WAR BLEV!!

[Clark Vent]

someone loves blev cock^^

[deegs]

ttt

[dkcurtis]

The pulling muscle are more used in grappling. I would dominate pullups, and olympic lifts if I were to train for functional fighting strength

[blevunly]

The pulling muscle are more used in grappling. I would dominate pullups, and olympic lifts if I were to train for functional fighting strength

If you don't train your pushng muscles it will hinder your pulling muscle and also increase the chance for injury.

The olympic lifts are overrated in the aspect of building explosiveness. The same effects can be achieved through other explosive exercises that require less technique to execute.

[dkcurtis]

If you don't train your pushng muscles it will hinder your pulling muscle and also increase the chance for injury.

The olympic lifts are overrated in the aspect of building explosiveness. The same effects can be achieved through other explosive exercises that require less technique to execute.

I understand the payoff for the time spent learning the complex weightlifts may not be efficient. Yes, I know pushing musles should be used as well, but most people tend to overemphasis bench and pushing when in fact they are used less.
I should just have gave him simple old advice like "shut up and squat." it works.

[blevunly]

I understand the payoff for the time spent learning the complex weightlifts may not be efficient. Yes, I know pushing musles should be used as well, but most people tend to overemphasis bench and pushing when in fact they are used less.
I should just have gave him simple old advice like "shut up and squat." it works.

Yeah, he should be doing a pulling exercise as well I just figued he would know that.

[VicDienekes]

I should just have gave him simple old advice like "shut up and squat." it works.

rep

8 times of ten this is the answer to any strength related weight lifting question.

[humpty]

Bench press is ok. For a long time now I've preferred to use dumbells - partly due to solo training & partly due to my preferrence for forcing the stabilising muscles to work hard at maintaining the 'groove' of the lift. I also feel that the barbell has a tendency to 'dictate' the path of the lift by conecting the shoulders.

I do them single handed also at times as this works the abs, esp. the obliques. Somone's bound to argue now that this isn't the point of the bench, however if I'm training for strength that crosses over in to grappling I'll do this once a week.

[banger]

It's important to bench. But it must be balanced by working the other muscles.

[humpty]

Agreed, if you bench you should be doing rows, chins, etc. maybe snatches.

[jetjaguar]

dips ,chins and hand stand pushups

[somedude]

exactly

[Voodoosteamboat]

what about tanning? i hear that it can improve strength and endurance also

[blevunly]

what about tanning? i hear that it can improve strength and endurance also

Enjoy the skin cancer?

[Bloodshot {ADR}]

Enjoy the skin cancer?

http://i.pbase.com/o6/69/25369/1/84842168.8QmPumyA.IMG_2693s.jpg

lung cancer ftw.

[hotnewton]

being jacked and tanned is a lethal combination when it comes to MMA and grappling.

Look at Phil Baroni for proof.

[Dozi]

Jacked and Tanned definatly helps in the getting pussy department......fighting not so much.

[Boss]

http://i.pbase.com/o6/69/25369/1/84842168.8QmPumyA.IMG_2693s.jpg

lung cancer ftw.

agreed

[Boss]

being jacked and tanned is a lethal combination when it comes to MMA and grappling.

Look at Phil Baroni for proof.

lol

[Sub Zero]

How much can you guys bench? I can do 118 lbs.

[danxgerous]

bench press helps when someone has me in side mount and i need to hip escape out. it also helps when im posturing up and trying to pass guard. triceps also help a lot for that matter. i think overall, it does help. the muscle endurance is helpful. being able to constantly push and maintain pressure when someone is trying to put their weight on me.

i play a lot of guard however, so it may be especially beneficial for me. pulling exercises are also helpful, for spider guard, maintaining grips, breaking posture, etc.

[nizze]

If you do choose to do bench press, don't do them too often. Do them max 2-3 times/month, and throw in some dips (weighted if neccessary) in between. Also, choose a more narrow grip, your shoulders will thank you in the long run.

[Zere]

Why the fuck would you bench only 2-3 times a month? Are you close to a fight?

[PMX]

IMHO any strength training is good, as long as you don't lose your flexibility.

Anyone try the thumbless grip when benching (thumb on the same side of the bar as your fingers)? A collegiate power lifter said that's the way to get more weight up. The line through your wrist is cleaner, but it feels kind of sketchy when doing it.

Here's a guy using it... and losing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY1-1FZnFTs&feature=player_embedded

[Zere]

suicide grip is called suicide grip for a reason

[PMX]

If you don't train much but can bench your body weight, you're doing pretty good.

For gym rats, seems like 300# is what separates the men from the boys. I hope to do that much in the future.

[ninjashoes]

I like the guys who can bench press over 300 lbs but they can't even do one pullup.

[PMX]

haha, that'll be me. I think I can do 3.

[ninjashoes]

haha, that'll be me. I think I can do 3.

thats 2 more than me, I am pretty fat right now though

I'm working on it anyway, just started doing pullups, trying to get more well rounded functional strength

[Zere]

smoking pot doesn't lead to functional strength you lazy piece of shit

[PMX]

thats 2 more than me, I am pretty fat right now though

I'm working on it anyway, just started doing pullups, trying to get more well rounded functional strength

Oops, tried it today. We're even at 1.

[kermitthefrayer]

www.crossfit.com

olympic lifting insane metabolic stuff tons of body weight stuff check it out!

[Zere]

crossfit is shit

[chrismortimer66]

any one think this is good for grappling. people say it isnt but i disagree. only recently started bench pressing but it definatly improves strength when grappling

Squats, deadlifts, bench press, heavy aSs one arm rows[140lbs+] will help you be a better more affective wrestler, the stronger you are, the weeker everyone else!
The bench allows for ther shoulder and triceps to develope good power, so you can impose your will easier, like wrist control in the guard, or pulling certian subs like kimora.
The bench muscles are just as important as your row muscles for grappling, they both should be trained and off course you need a good base to start of of with so deadlifts or squats should be in your routine somewhere.