First time I ever used a Bench Shirt
I have a contest in two days "May 3 2003". I never used a Bench Shirt B-4 until last night. I had a shirt on Sunday but it was too small. So I had to have one expressed to me so I could use it at least one time B-4 the contest. I am glad I did because here is how last night went.
I did my pyramid workout. Went to my raw max 370 lbs. I put the shirt on loaded the bar to 380 lbs. I took the bar in my hands and started to lower the bar. It took me about 5 seconds to reach my chest. It felt like my under arms were ripping and the shirt was going to burst. I finally got to my chest and when I went to press the bar flew up so fast when I reached lock out I wasn't pushing much and failed the lift.
Then the guys told me to bring the bar down faster. It shouldn't take 5 seconds to reach your chest that I'm wasting strength that way. Also not to explode off the chest that I am loosing control that way.
The only reason I brought the bar down so slow is because the shirt hurt like hell. So I decided to suck it up and stop being a pussy.
I attempted 380 again. This time I brought the bar to my chest in about 2 seconds and pressed it with more control. Press was good.
Then I loaded the bar to 400 lbs. Brought the bar to my chest "not too slow and not too fast" Pressed it with control and the press was good.
Then I loaded the bar to 410 lbs. Brought the bar to my chest and pressed it. Press was good.
410 went up easier than 400.
I was going to go to 420 lbs and I know I would have pressed it. But the shirt was killing my under arms. So I had the guys pull the shirt off me.
At the contest I plan on opening with 400 lbs. Second lift 420 lbs. Third lift 430 lbs.
I wiegh 215 lbs. Last night the shirt added 40 lbs to my press. I figure that is good considering it was my first time ever using a bench shirt. Also this was after a full bench workout.
I'll post my results sometime saturday after the contest.
Later,
Braz_Machine