Bench, with or without thumbs.. [Forum Archive]

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Bench, with or without thumbs..

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Posted by: kinkery

what is better? for the past week i benched without thumbs and i didnt realy notice a difference... opinions?

Posted by: JonnyStead

I cant imagine not using thumbs it is SO risky. If you've ever seen a bar slip out of someones hand on to their chest because they weren't gripping it - you'd never consider "no thumbs" again IMO

Please please go back to using thumbs

Posted by: Triple Threat

I bench with thumbs. It takes too long to detach and reattach them.

Posted by: kinkery

Posted by: DiGiTaL

lol lazy bum.

Posted by: Billie7

No thumbs, I can actually lift better this way. Used to do with thumbs and could only bench 95lbs, now with no thumbs can do 115lbs, and hope to go up again soon.....Bench has always been my worst lift though...

Posted by: MWpro

Squeeze the bar when pushing. Yes, use your thumbs, what the hell purpose could it serve not using them?

Posted by: DiGiTaL

Could be dangerous too if not using thumb. I did it once, i was scared it was gonna fall on me.

Posted by: NordicNacho

you don't need your thumbs around the bar. I use it for my max days check it out.

YouTube Video

Posted by: forum9351

^^ holy shit, that dude is fucked. straight to ER.

Posted by: JamesTheScot

not to one up that video, but there is an even sicker one out there...

it's a lot of weight this guys drops and you can see the bar drop through his thorax and just SIT THERE with his legs flopping...gruesome!

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by NordicNacho

you don't need your thumbs around the bar. I use it for my max days check it out.

YouTube Video

I like to think that was an I.Q. test.

He earned an "F".

Posted by: Bakerboy

What a great spot too.

Both of those guy's should never be allowed in a gym again. Idiots.

Posted by: kinkery

owned x 60000

Posted by: JamesTheScot

YouTube - Bench Press Accident

here it is.

Posted by: pitbullguy01

i gunna use my thumbs from now on!

Posted by: kidbodybilder

that slow mo was nuts using the thums from now on

Posted by: moopsimoo

I don't use thumbs on bench but I might start after watchin the video.. It's just preferences your not gonna push more or less with/without thumbs....
I dont use thumbs in hardly any exercises.. Every back exercise, strtbar curls, t-bar push downs, pretty much no thumbs on any exercises come to think of it.

Posted by: ReproMan

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesTheScot

YouTube - Bench Press Accident

here it is.

Do you think he raised his legs on his own?

He looked like a bag that wouldn't pop.

Posted by: Rubes

between 135-165 i dont use thumbs but anything above that i use them.

Posted by: TrojanMan60563

I don't use my thumbs on anything...I am way more comfortable without them...using them actually makes my hands hurt, and when benching or doing back stuff I get too much forearm pump if I use thumbs...actually when I deadlift I use them...but that is it. If you hold the bar right you don't need thumbs....I have never even come close to dropping a bar on myself...most of the time I use dumbells anyways.

Posted by: Doublebase

I sometimes dont use my thumbs while warming up with 135 or 155. When I going past 200 I use my thumbs.

Posted by: Hialeahchico

well i got a friend who has no thumbs so he prefears no thumbs

Posted by: Witchblade

Always with thumbs. Why the heck not?

No thumbs is for suicidal lifters.

Posted by: vortrit

I'm usually all thumbs on the bench.

Posted by: NordicNacho

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrojanMan60563

I don't use my thumbs on anything...I am way more comfortable without them...using them actually makes my hands hurt, and when benching or doing back stuff I get too much forearm pump if I use thumbs...actually when I deadlift I use them...but that is it. If you hold the bar right you don't need thumbs....I have never even come close to dropping a bar on myself...most of the time I use dumbells anyways.

you dont wrap your thunb around dumbells? your going to crush your skull man thats alot more dangerous then a barbell

Posted by: Big G

Now try and tell me that my Smith Machine is worthless! I don't care what you say, self-spotting Smith Machines rock. You can tell me all about it when you're in hospital (crushed) and I come to visit!

I'd rather risk a possible strain from my heavy Smith Machine Presses following a strict up and down path, than ever get crushed like either of those two poor fucks.

Jeez! Those videos are fuckin' sick.

Posted by: Witchblade

Possible strain, yeah right.

Have you read the article in the stickies that you shouldn't always (/often) train to failure or beyond it?

Posted by: MWpro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big G

Now try and tell me that my Smith Machine is worthless! I don't care what you say, self-spotting Smith Machines rock. You can tell me all about it when you're in hospital (crushed) and I come to visit!

I'd rather risk a possible strain from my heavy Smith Machine Presses following a strict up and down path, than ever get crushed like either of those two poor fucks.

Jeez! Those videos are fuckin' sick.

You're a dumbass. Either know your limits or get a spotter. Smith Machine has no place in a workout routine.

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big G

Now try and tell me that my Smith Machine is worthless!

There's a cure for bad form and a shitty spotter. There's no cure for a Smith Machine.

Posted by: JonnyStead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doublebase

I sometimes dont use my thumbs while warming up with 135 or 155. When I going past 200 I use my thumbs.

Only quoting you to get us back on topic mate -

Mike Mentzer used a good example in his HIT dvd about using thumbs or not (he advocated thumbs) by getting someone to hold his forearm with and without thumb grip. I've tried it and its so easy to get your forearm away without the thumb gripping - so for me I'd use it everytime...

If we always knew in advance of an accident coming - there would be no accidents!

Posted by: Big G

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWpro

You're a dumbass.

Actually I'm not, but you are certainly rude!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWpro

Either know your limits or get a spotter.

Oh! OK, Genius! Next time I'm in my garage really pushing myself during a work-out I'll invite... um... lets see... my junky neighbor... no, no... I'll invite... um... my wife's grandma from 200 miles away... no, no... I'll... um... I'll invite... one of the worthless bum drunks that stumble round my crappy neighborhood... no, no... YOU! I'll invite you! You'll be there for me, won't you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWpro

Smith Machine has no place in a workout routine.

Well, Oh-Great-And-Powerful-Bodybuilder-Extraordinaire... You really should write a letter to Arnold Schwartznegger and explain to him that the various sections of his 800page book (The Modern Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding) that advocates the use of a smith machine are complete bullcrap and you know far better. I'm sure our poor, stupid, multiple Mr.Universe winner would be delighted to finally acquire your level of smarts.

***************

The only thing that counts is results! If it works FOR YOU then YOU should do it. If something else works for someone else don't criticise. That's just what works for them. A smith machine is a valuable tool that can and does lead to muscle growth (I know, trust me!). It's only one of many options open to you as a bodybuilder. Competition-standard physiques are the result of using many methods to target muscles from various angles. Free weights have their place. Resistance machines have their place. As do Smith Machines *shock, horror*

Posted by: Yanick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big G

A Oh-Great-And-Powerful-Bodybuilder-Extraordinaire... You really should write a letter to Arnold Schwartznegger and explain to him that the various sections of his 800page book (The Modern Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding) that advocates the use of a smith machine are complete bullcrap and you know far better. I'm sure our poor, stupid, multiple Mr.Universe winner would be delighted to finally acquire your level of smarts.

That was the first book i ever bought about BB'ing. So long ago it seems, and i know so much now that i didn't back then (for me those were the M&F/Flex days and Arnold's book while lifting at Bally Total Fitness doing 30 sets for chest).

His book is basically garbage for the average guy, without juice, and regular genetics. Even if Arnold asked me himself i'd tell him that.

Also, Arnold didn't build his physique on a Smith Machine. He physique was the product of great genes, some juice, and completely and consistently being a BB'er.

As well, your point about dropping weight is completely irrelevant. If you use proper technique and know your limits you can safely bench. I've benched doubles on my own of 295 for up to 5 sets. A heavy bar never fell on me, but i've gotten stuck, lowered the bar, rolled it off myself in one way or another. Mind you, those were PL'ing w/o's i was doing. If you're a half way competent trainee you could easily bench alone, within your limits.

Posted by: Witchblade

Yanick speaks teh tr00th.

Posted by: Plateau_Max

Like my grandmother always says "it's really hard to carry a fridge if you eat peanut butter with a fork"

Remember, when Arnold was in high school, he would walk through several miles of snow to get to the gym at 5am so he could work out before school started. I think if you have even half as much motivation and discipline you'll go VERY far.

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plateau_Max

Like my grandmother always says "it's really hard to carry a fridge if you eat peanut butter with a fork"

Remember, when Arnold was in high school, he would walk through several miles of snow to get to the gym at 5am so he could work out before school started. I think if you have even half as much motivation and discipline you'll go VERY far.

Well said.

Nothing, except maybe gear, can trump effort and consistency, when it comes to making gains in weight training. Nothing.

Posted by: gr81

by not gripping the bar with your thumbs you'd be forced to bend your wrists when you press, which is gonna cause you to round your shoulders instead of keeping your blades and traps tight, which is going to greatly affect your bench strength and form. besides that, you need to be squeezing the bar as hard as possible and trying to pull it apart as you press up. anyone who is pressing without grippin it with your thumbs is just doin it wrong

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr81

by not gripping the bar with your thumbs you'd be forced to bend your wrists when you press, which is gonna cause you to round your shoulders instead of keeping your blades and traps tight, which is going to greatly affect your bench strength and form. besides that, you need to be squeezing the bar as hard as possible and trying to pull it apart as you press up. anyone who is pressing without grippin it with your thumbs is just doin it wrong

Hey, if nothing else, those videos show that the problem will take care of itself.

Posted by: gr81

ah yes, natural selection hard at work.. ha

Posted by: LT81

I don't use thumbs but it takes some getn use to.The Bar sits on the lower part of my palm directly on top of my wrist for more effective drive.I wouldn't be able to do this with my thumbs around the bar.
I see alotta peolpe making this mistake and kinda letn ther wrist bend back a bit.

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT81

I don't use thumbs but it takes some getn use to.The Bar sits on the lower part of my palm directly on top of my wrist for more effective drive.I wouldn't be able to do this with my thumbs around the bar.
I see alotta peolpe making this mistake and kinda letn ther wrist bend back a bit.

When...it...happens, will you have the guy "spotting" you post the video of it?

Thanks.

Posted by: MustGoHeavy

My god! That video is actually enough to put me off bench for life! Sickening! We evolved thumbs for a reason! I actually didnt realise that there were people out there that actually lifted without wrapping them round the bar!

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustGoHeavy

My god! That video is actually enough to put me off bench for life! Sickening! We evolved thumbs for a reason! I actually didnt realise that there were people out there that actually lifted without wrapping them round the bar!

Posted by: TrojanMan60563

Quote:

Originally Posted by NordicNacho

you dont wrap your thunb around dumbells? your going to crush your skull man thats alot more dangerous then a barbell

No I don't...expect when I curl them. I never feel like I don't have control over the dumbells....Its just how I have always done it so I am comfortable with it...I wouldn't change it to have less risk of dropping stuff on myself. About the only way I would use my thumbs is if someone could convince me that it would make my muscles grow better...and I doubt that is the case..haha...To add to the reasons I don't use my thumbs is to avoid getting my bi's involved in everything. Well this is primarily with back stuff...if you don't use thumbs with back stuff you don't burn out your arms nearly as quick.

Posted by: JamesTheScot

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustGoHeavy

My god! That video is actually enough to put me off bench for life! Sickening! We evolved thumbs for a reason! I actually didnt realise that there were people out there that actually lifted without wrapping them round the bar!

my thoughts too.

let's take one of the most important evolutionary developments/creationary advantages...the opposable thumb...and say "naw, that's alright."

Posted by: LT81

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOMS

When...it...happens, will you have the guy "spotting" you post the video of it?

Thanks.

Funny cause I've trained mostly all my gym work by myself for say the past three years and I say if it was going to happen it probably would have by now,ya know.The only time I actually have some one watch me is when I'm doing heavy triples or doubles other than that,really no reason too for me personally.
And I honestly don't BP that often maybe 8-10 times in the past 2 years.

Posted by: Malley

With thumbs. Squeeze the bar like you are trying to crush it. Westside preaches this as well.

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