Using a Mouthpiece

**DaMayor** · 01-27-2010, 03:17 PM

A couple of years back I noticed that a guy working at the 'station' adjacent to mine was using a mouthpiece....like a football mouthpiece. At the time, I thought it seemed odd, if not silly. Well, I recently noticed that during very heavy lifts, especially during leg work, I tend to clench my teeth instead of grunting and groaning like many of the apparently constipated folks in the gym. I was just wondering how common this was...because at this rate, I'll be breaking molars in the near future.

**Perdido** · 01-27-2010, 04:36 PM

I see them used by a few at powerlifting meets my training partner runs.

**PushAndPull** · 01-27-2010, 05:45 PM

I've never known anyone who used one for lifting.

**Captn'stabbin** · 01-27-2010, 05:57 PM

don't you produce more power by breathing out? at least i think that's the thought in martial arts.

**min0 lee** · 01-27-2010, 06:07 PM

A few ballplayers have been using them of late in order to stop them from damaging their from all the grinding one does.

**Hoglander** · 01-27-2010, 06:36 PM

I grit my teeth at the sticking points. I'm trying not to. I'm getting better. The damage for the most part is done though. I've put cracks in a lot of my teeth, healthy teeth no fillings. I've had 2 teeth break in two years. Luckily they have broken above the gum line so I could get caps. According to my dentist the force put forth by the jaw muscles in these situations is, "astronomical."

**Captn'stabbin** · 01-27-2010, 07:07 PM

wow that's some fucking effort right there.

**fufu** · 01-27-2010, 09:48 PM

My dentist recommended that I wear a mouth-piece to the gym due to teeth grinding.

...but I'm not going to do that.

**Doublebase** · 01-28-2010, 06:30 AM

Seen strongmen using them.

**SNC** · 01-28-2010, 07:28 AM

Never heard of it. Sounds silly but for people who grind their teeth while lifting maybe it's a good idea.
I've seen blood vessels break in powerlifting but never seen teeth shatter.

I dont clench my teeth when I lift.

**SNC** · 01-28-2010, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Hoglander

According to my dentist the force put forth by the jaw muscles in these situations is, "astronomical."

Then he showed you the bill and you bit him in half !

**brk_nemesis** · 01-28-2010, 07:52 AM

I have a guy at my gym that uses one when bench pressing. I guess hes afraid the bar will come down and hit em or something. And he is not a power lifter, but a guy in his late 30's or so, skinny as hell and benching like 95lbs. I hate to be an ass but its rather hilarious....

**DaMayor** · 01-28-2010, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by brk_nemesis

I have a guy at my gym that uses one when bench pressing. I guess hes afraid the bar will come down and hit em or something. And he is not a power lifter, but a guy in his late 30's or so, skinny as hell and benching like 95lbs. I hate to be an ass but its rather hilarious....

That's sad...but maybe he just values his chompers.

Like Hoglander said, I too only run into this problem when I'm maxed out, last set~top of the rep, and have never really done this until this year. I guess I'm trying to avoid all of those maternity ward sounds that many of the newbies make. Oh, I breathe alright, but just not like a woman giving labor.

**brk_nemesis** · 01-28-2010, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by DaMayor

That's sad...but maybe he just values his chompers.

Like Hoglander said, I too only run into this problem when I'm maxed out, last set~top of the rep, and have never really done this until this year. I guess I'm trying to avoid all of those maternity ward sounds that many of the newbies make. Oh, I breathe alright, but just not like a woman giving labor.

Its funny though as he has asked me to spot him a couple times. He'll be in the middle of the rep, and will try to talk with the mouthpiece in. He sounds like he has a cock in his mouth.

He will say "one more, one more, help me get it!" But it sounds so hilarious I cant help but laugh.

**DaMayor** · 01-28-2010, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by brk_nemesis

Its funny though as he has asked me to spot him a couple times. He'll be in the middle of the rep, and will try to talk with the mouthpiece in. He sounds like he has a cock in his mouth.

He will say "one more, one more, help me get it!" But it sounds so hilarious I cant help but laugh.

Okay, that's it.....I'll just break my molars, lol.

**Vance** · 01-28-2010, 09:25 AM

I've read a few articles that say it can be good for your training to have a mouth piece in. From memory the latest Muscle & Fitness had an article about it when I read it in the airport.

I'll see if I can't find it somewhere. As for any cockhole that wants to laugh at me were I to actually start using one, I'll just point out to him that it's better to be wearing a mouthpiece than stuck on crutches with my jaw wired shut, and when he goes, "Huh" I'll drop a 50lb plate on his foot and then break his jaw.

GICH.

P.S. That's not directed at you nem, and any guy who needs a spot to bench 95lbs with anything other than his cock deserves your contempt, mouthpiece or not.

**SilentBob187** · 01-28-2010, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Vance

As for any cockhole that wants to laugh at me were I to actually start using one, I'll just point out to him that it's better to be wearing a mouthpiece than using crutches, and when he goes, "Huh" I'll drop a 50lb plate on his foot and then break his jaw.

GICH.

**GearsMcGilf** · 01-28-2010, 10:29 AM

I saw saw some redneck in my gym wearing it and taking it out every 10 minutes to wash in the the waterfountain. I just figured it was some rednecky way of looking badass. It actually does make some sense. But, he still looked like a fucking moron, so I think I'd just have to grind my teeth and get over it.

**HeavyBomber** · 01-28-2010, 12:26 PM

I use one occasionally on max effort lifts.

...and I have no problem looking red-neck. lol

**DaMayor** · 01-28-2010, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by HeavyBomber

I use one occasionally on max effort lifts.

...and I have no problem looking red-neck. lol

Based on the fact that your avatar could woop the horse puckey out of Roids' avatar.....I'm going with your response.

**P-funk** · 01-28-2010, 04:17 PM

It has to do with increasing neural drive. By jamming down on the mouth piece, you can increase neural efficiency, much like grip the bar harder or trying to press the feet against the floor and grip the floor (Sherrington's law of Irradiation). The eyes can create a similar effect, if you look up with the eyes (not the head and neck, just the eyes) when squatting or deadlifting, you can drive the extensor mechanism of the body a little bit more.

patrick

**pitman** · 01-28-2010, 04:42 PM

One of my boys was just in the gym last week benching without a spotter and slipped and busted a few bottom teeth out and tore his lip up. maybe a mouth piece just for. might of helped.. i called him the other day at 1-800- im -fucked up...

**min0 lee** · 01-28-2010, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by SNC

Never heard of it. Sounds silly but for people who grind their teeth while lifting maybe it's a good idea.
I've seen blood vessels break in powerlifting but never seen teeth shatter.

I dont clench my teeth when I lift.

Your not squatting with enough weight then.

**pitman** · 01-28-2010, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Your not squatting with enough weight then.

exactly....lol

**DaMayor** · 01-29-2010, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by P-funk

It has to do with increasing neural drive. By jamming down on the mouth piece, you can increase neural efficiency, much like grip the bar harder or trying to press the feet against the floor and grip the floor (Sherrington's law of Irradiation). The eyes can create a similar effect, if you look up with the eyes (not the head and neck, just the eyes) when squatting or deadlifting, you can drive the extensor mechanism of the body a little bit more.
patrick

Pat! What's Up!

**P-funk** · 01-29-2010, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by DaMayor

Pat! What's Up!

nothing!

patrick

**AKIRA** · 01-29-2010, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by P-funk

It has to do with increasing neural drive. By jamming down on the mouth piece, you can increase neural efficiency, much like grip the bar harder or trying to press the feet against the floor and grip the floor (Sherrington's law of Irradiation). The eyes can create a similar effect, if you look up with the eyes (not the head and neck, just the eyes) when squatting or deadlifting, you can drive the extensor mechanism of the body a little bit more.

patrick

Do you have a link to that? I have been looking to start a discussion about this with my Strength & Conditioning professor.

**P-funk** · 01-29-2010, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Do you have a link to that? I have been looking to start a discussion about this with my Strength & Conditioning professor.

A link to what? I made it up....

Just kidding.

I am sure you can google things like sherrington's law of irradiation and get info on some of that stuff...also, check out pubmed and type in some of the key words you are searching. If my memory serves me correctly, there was something that I saw regarding the mouth pieces. I don't have anything on hand that I can readly post up because I didn't spend to much time researching it and reading about it, since my efforts have been concentrated in other areas.

patrick

**AKIRA** · 01-29-2010, 08:46 AM

Fuuuuck. If its on Pubmed, hes already seen it.

Sounded like a good argument.

**brk_nemesis** · 01-29-2010, 09:10 AM

... well if the theory works... could explain why I workout better with chewing gum

Thread: Using a Mouthpiece

Thread Tools

Display

Using a Mouthpiece

Posting Permissions