Question on power lift bench press

**Sir hugenstein** · 10-08-2002, 12:39 AM

When I do bench press I bring my head up off the bench and watch the bar touch my chest. Can you do this in a competition or will they call it a no lift. I would like to enter some powerlifting comps. mainy just bench press. Also how wide do your hands have to be placed on the bar.

**musc2002pa** · 10-08-2002, 01:46 AM

Lifting your head is legal in most federations now. THe widest grip you can have is 81cm (i believe, or is it 82cm)

chad
carolinapower.net

**Ermantroudt** · 10-08-2002, 07:45 AM

Chad is correct, the head position is option in most feds and the max legal grip is either 81cm o.r 82cm.

Ermantroudt

**BELLICOSE** · 10-08-2002, 08:40 AM

When it comes to powerlifting(mainly bench), the tall guys seem to get the shaft

***powerlifterjay*** · 10-08-2002, 09:00 AM

Well they make up for it in the deadlift!

**BELLICOSE** · 10-08-2002, 09:34 AM

ahhh, the mighty deadlift!!
Yeah, i guess that evens it up

**Jimmy_Bravo** · 10-08-2002, 09:41 AM

Why would the tall guys have an advantage in the deadlift? I would think being tall with long legs compared to the shorter guys, you'de still be screwed. If I'm 6' tall, and have to lift the bar 3' untill I'm fully upright, the short guy would only have to lift only 2' to get fully upright. Wouldn't the short guy still have the advantage?

**k1401** · 10-08-2002, 11:12 AM

longer arms..............

***powerlifterjay*** · 10-08-2002, 12:10 PM

Actually its a shorter torso that makes for excellent pulling. Long legs usually mean shorter torso. Unless you have a longer torso you cant really understand how much eaiser it is to just lean back with it and lock it out. How much you have to travel means nothing really.

A taller guy must use a max allowed grip for benching. Lots of back work. Use a good tuck of the elbows and have a great lockout. I have seen the worlds best bench bench in person and i can tell you not all have a real short stroke. I have seen guys 6'3 bench 650 plus no problem. Technique is something i studied very hard and every aspiring bencher should study as well. It will make up over 50% of your lift. Just like the deadlift, and squat.

**IrishPower** · 10-11-2002, 03:21 PM

back to the original subject... picking your head up

I have seen some successful benchers do this... Halbert comes to mind. However, recently I have been given some advice and words to think about.

If your head comes off the bench in a shirt, your shirt is probably too tight. Also, having your head 'forced' up by the shirt is also causing an unhealthy rotation of the shoulders.

I am beginning to be of the opinion that a slightly looser shirt and less shoulder rotation is going to prolong your life in the sport.

that being said, if you are picking your head up without a shirt, this is just bad form, and you should take care to correct it before it becomes a habit.

hope this helps.

***powerlifterjay*** · 10-11-2002, 05:48 PM

Irish then you knwo i am in bad form!! My head comes up pretty good too! Its become a major habit. And yes i heard about the rotation of the shoudlers. I am dammed if i do , dammed if i dont!!