Suicide grip

**Hellhound1988** · 08-09-2012, 12:13 PM

whats up guys, i tried suicide grip today on bench press, it felt great in my chest and i got more reps out of it compared to standard grip, 3rd set i usually get 295 for 8 or 9, but i got it for 12 today

but god does it feel weird, it gave my stomach an uneasy feeling like it was gonna slip out at any moment, just visualizing 295lbs dropping on my sternum or even my neck gives me chills

i will probably stick with standard grip as i feel 100% in control

but what do you guys think about suicide grip? does anyone here do it regularly?

**Times Roman** · 08-09-2012, 12:21 PM

I was watching some blokes use that grip at the gym recently. what do you feel the advantages are, besides additional reps in your case?

or you might consider using the smith machine so you don't slip and have it centerpunch your sternum?

**Hellhound1988** · 08-09-2012, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

I was watching some blokes use that grip at the gym recently. what do you feel the advantages are, besides additional reps in your case?

or you might consider using the smith machine so you don't slip and have it centerpunch your sternum?

it feels like a more natural grip and you get a better push out of it

i try to stay away from the smith machine because i tried benching on it and it made my joints ache, but ill try the suicide grip on it next chest day and see it it helps hmmm

**Times Roman** · 08-09-2012, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Hellhound1988

it feels like a more natural grip and you get a better push out of it

i try to stay away from the smith machine because i tried benching on it and it made my joints ache, but ill try the suicide grip on it next chest day and see it it helps hmmm

i like the smith machine. i wish i had one in my backyard years ago. i had an incident years ago benching solo at the house. was going heavy, and wanted that last rep. i got it real close, back to the cradle, but missed it by an inch. slowly the bar decended where it just sat there on my chest. It was a humbling experience, so i was hollering out for my woman to help me out. she helped me get it up just high enough for me to slip out from under. Since then, i've never went too heavy on bench, and it hindered my gains. I abandoned my home gym and now go to 24, but I still don't like to use a spotter, so just use the smith instead.

really not sure why the stigma with the smith. my son goes with me to the gym from time to time, and he insists on using a dumbell. I like the bar. he says it improves all the ancillary muscles when using the dumbs becauuse it takes more effort to stabilize. my position is that there are plenty of exercises that involve the ancillaries, but on THIS exercise, i want to be able to exert fully, and not worry about shiit wobbling around up there. He thinks the smith is for beginners. Oh well, call me a beginner then i guess?

**Hellhound1988** · 08-09-2012, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

i like the smith machine. i wish i had one in my backyard years ago. i had an incident years ago benching solo at the house. was going heavy, and wanted that last rep. i got it real close, back to the cradle, but missed it by an inch. slowly the bar decended where it just sat there on my chest. It was a humbling experience, so i was hollering out for my woman to help me out. she helped me get it up just high enough for me to slip out from under. Since then, i've never went too heavy on bench, and it hindered my gains. I abandoned my home gym and now go to 24, but I still don't like to use a spotter, so just use the smith instead.

really not sure why the stigma with the smith. my son goes with me to the gym from time to time, and he insists on using a dumbell. I like the bar. he says it improves all the ancillary muscles when using the dumbs becauuse it takes more effort to stabilize. my position is that there are plenty of exercises that involve the ancillaries, but on THIS exercise, i want to be able to exert fully, and not worry about shiit wobbling around up there. He thinks the smith is for beginners. Oh well, call me a beginner then i guess?

i switch it up with dumbells and bar bench, i guess working on the smith machine is like being your own spotter, you know when your in trouble and having the bar in a track i can see where you could go full out and not worry, and damn that sounds like a shitty experience

**songdog** · 08-10-2012, 06:26 AM

I have seen the bar hit to many chests do to that grip.No thanks!

**Times Roman** · 08-10-2012, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Hellhound1988

i switch it up with dumbells and bar bench, i guess working on the smith machine is like being your own spotter, you know when your in trouble and having the bar in a track i can see where you could go full out and not worry, and damn that sounds like a shitty experience

alot of blokes that have backyard gyms have similar experiences.....

**Fred40** · 08-13-2012, 03:05 PM

It's not called the suicide grip for nothing.

No Thanks......I also like the feel but it's simply not worth it....and I bench inside a power rack! Just don't want to develop the bad habit.

**baseline_9** · 08-13-2012, 03:13 PM

I have done it and do still do it occasionally....

A thumbless grip is a way for powerlifters to increase leverage in the bench press movement... It is done to shorten the distance between the bar and the elbow. Thus increasing power and keeping the range of movement shorter.

As far as for BB'ing, there is no real use unless you have some kind of hand injury that prevents you from using a thumb in grip...

I prefer thumb around the bar with plenty of chalk

**Dpyle** · 08-13-2012, 03:14 PM

Just YouTube some videos of the accidents that result from a suicide grip and you won't like it anymore. I use it sometimes on the hammerstrength press to squeeze out a couple more reps but would never use it on the bb bench.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=nxCpqZMmkYI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

**SoldierBull** · 08-13-2012, 06:07 PM

You mean "faulse grip" with your thumb begind the bar right???

If so I damn near use ut in all excercises... Just habit I guess...

And as far as not getting that last rep... I know all about it... I,ripped an ab muscle rolling 225 down my chest to my waistline once... Lol

**greenwell001** · 08-13-2012, 06:27 PM

I also use a power rack and set it at chest level so I don't have to worry about using a thumbless grip. It's the only way to go at it alone when I go heavy.

**johnnylucifer** · 08-20-2012, 06:03 PM

I've phased it out. I used the "suicide grip" for many years. But now it seems to hurt my thumbs.

Since then, I might be crazy, but I feel like I've picked up a bit more definition in my inner-upper pec area. I swear that i have a more pronounced vertical line there now.