thumbless grip necessary?

**Megadeth** · 11-25-2011, 01:06 AM

I'm "thumb in" myself. Never tried thumbless, but I don't think I'd feel too safe. I remember a had a powerlifter spotting me one day when i was trying for a one rep bench max, and I got stuck about half way. He started yelling, "squeeze the bar, tight as you can!", and I finished the rep. Maybe it's psychological for me, but that was a huge piece of advice that I always revert back to if I think that I'm gonna fail the press. But with thumbless, I don't think that you have the same ability to squeeze as hard.

**Standby** · 11-26-2011, 06:26 AM

depends how much im lifting. i get a sweet grip on a smith machine benching with my thumb beside my finger i love it. but if im going to go heavy its normal grip

**Armykid93** · 12-06-2011, 11:57 AM

Ive heard its bad but I dont think it honestly matters that much. You see IFBB pros not using thumbless grips. Probably comes down to mostly preference.

**stpete** · 12-06-2011, 02:20 PM

I use thumbless for everything except DB's when working chest and delts for obvious reasons. Stopped BB Benching about 4 years ago, but even when i did, it was thumbless as well. I just didn't try anything i wasn't comfortable trying without a spotter.