Bouncing off the chest

Ralphie · 08-20-2003, 04:00 PM

Ok, I know bouncing the bar off your chest while bench pressing is a big no no. HOWEVER, half the people in the world seem to be doing this for some reason. (perhaps there is a reason for it?)

Anyway, I'm guessing bouncing off your chest makes the weight a bit easier to lift right? By about how much easier does it make it? if it does make it easier, because its just amazing.. I see some guys in the gym doing a 45 and 35 on the bench and they are not much larger then me... its insane..

Or at my school as well, everyone bounces off their chest, the weightroom coach doesn't say anything about it, I think I've been told he encourages you to bounce off your chest.

**Mudge** · 08-20-2003, 04:12 PM

Lats are used during the very low portion of the bench, so they could be doing it to make up for thier poor back workouts.

I go below the chest so there is very little way of bouncing it without it being dangerous to my lower ribs, most people bench too high on the chest.

oaktownboy · 08-20-2003, 04:30 PM

i think you are going to build more strength and muscle if you do not bounce.

oaktownboy · 08-20-2003, 04:33 PM

do not give in to momentum resist all the way

Fit Freak · 08-20-2003, 04:37 PM

People typically bounce the weight off there chest so they can lift more w8 but they are actually cheating there development...never let your ego get in the way of your development.

There is no place for ego in the gym

oaktownboy · 08-20-2003, 04:39 PM

**Prince** · 08-20-2003, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ralphie
Ok, I know bouncing the bar off your chest while bench pressing is a big no no. HOWEVER, half the people in the world seem to be doing this for some reason. (perhaps there is a reason for it?)

Because half of the people in the world (actually more like 80%) have no idea of what they're doing in the gym.

As the others said they're bouncing off their chest so they can lift more weight; from a bodybuilding standpoint it's pointless.

Yanks20 · 08-21-2003, 08:07 AM

how in the hell can someone encourage you to bounce the weight? weightroom coach, sounds more like someone they just stuck in the gym and put that title next to his name. wonder what other training techniques he encourages.

as FF said check you ego at the door and do things the right way, trust me you will be the one making better gains in the long run!

**dg806** · 08-21-2003, 08:40 AM

I use to lift with a guy that did this. He bounced 365 off his chest so hard, I kept waiting for his ribs to break! I never could convince him to stop............if he did, his weight would go down.

LAM · 08-21-2003, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
Because half of the people in the world (actually more like 80%) have no idea of what they're doing in the gym.

As the others said they're bouncing off their chest so they can lift more weight; from a bodybuilding standpoint it's pointless.

exactly...all they are doing is using momentum and cheating themselves. those kinds of lifters never really make progress in the sport, they need to leave their ego's at the door.

**Mudge** · 08-21-2003, 02:06 PM

I agree with that, your cheating yourself out of a portion of the movement, for a powerlifter or a bodybuilder you are thusly wasting your time.

Ralphie · 08-21-2003, 04:07 PM

He actually did get his P.E. degree from Rice University, a top university heh.. but for P.E. I doubt it matters hahah

Jim1954 · 08-21-2003, 05:49 PM

When I was 18 years old, this bouncing the weight off the chest,
was something I had seen all the time, in the first gym I joined.
Of course being ignorant I adopted this method myself, and
popped the cartilage out between a couple of ribs, at least
this what a doctor told me. I also got into a physical altercation
about the same time frame as the injury occurred, got kicked in
the ribs.
I do think it was the bouncing the weight off my chest.
If you have ever broken a rib, this is what a cartilage
injury feels like when it's the rib area, someone even
told me it hurts worse.
I can also tell you, I couldn't bench, squat, or do anything
heavy for at least a month.
Sure wish I would have asked this question all those
years ago!

aceman · 08-22-2003, 02:08 AM

Yeah there is a guy in my gym that goes up to about 375 and bounces the weight off his chest and arches his back at the same time. Strange technique. Everyone keeps telling him he is cheating but he will not change. Last time I spotted him I think I saw his chest compress at least a half an inch. Afterwards I told him I thought he was doing CPR. I said man you better be carefull you could throw your heart beat off compressing your chest that much. I was waiting to hear a huge cracking sound.

dumbell · 08-22-2003, 05:11 AM

I would have to agree with everyone else in that using momentum to aid in your range of motion is only cheating yourself, if not hurting yourself. If you want to get that last impossible rep in your training partner is standing there. Good form with high intensity is safer in the long run.

**Mudge** · 08-22-2003, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aceman
arches his back at the same time

That is fine, otherwise frankly it hurts my lower back going heavy.

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/sh...threadid=11158 (How to Bench Big)

gr81 · 08-22-2003, 02:18 PM

as long as he is keeping his ass on the bench, it is still a legit bench. You can arch your back a much as you want. Bouncing is a ego booster though.

heavyweight1987 · 08-24-2003, 12:37 PM

you can mess up bad bouncing off your chest people tear pec muscles bruise chest and aot more bouncing off there chest,.

so you can arch your back as much as you want???hmmmmmmmm
i need to go max out right quick lol.

**Mudge** · 08-24-2003, 01:10 PM

There is only so far you can go, like looking up as you do squats and deads though it helps keep the spine in proper alignment. If I dont arch then my back hurts when I bench heavy.

heavyweight1987 · 08-24-2003, 01:37 PM

how much do u bench mudge u look like a pretty big dude.??

08-20-2003, 04:00 PM	#1
Ralphie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston,TX U.S. Posts: 83	Bouncing off the chest Ok, I know bouncing the bar off your chest while bench pressing is a big no no. HOWEVER, half the people in the world seem to be doing this for some reason. (perhaps there is a reason for it?) Anyway, I'm guessing bouncing off your chest makes the weight a bit easier to lift right? By about how much easier does it make it? if it does make it easier, because its just amazing.. I see some guys in the gym doing a 45 and 35 on the bench and they are not much larger then me... its insane.. Or at my school as well, everyone bounces off their chest, the weightroom coach doesn't say anything about it, I think I've been told he encourages you to bounce off your chest.

08-20-2003, 04:12 PM	#2
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 23,075 Photos: 1	Lats are used during the very low portion of the bench, so they could be doing it to make up for thier poor back workouts. I go below the chest so there is very little way of bouncing it without it being dangerous to my lower ribs, most people bench too high on the chest.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

08-20-2003, 04:30 PM	#3
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,392	i think you are going to build more strength and muscle if you do not bounce.
	Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

08-20-2003, 04:33 PM	#4
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,392	do not give in to momentum resist all the way
	Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

08-20-2003, 04:37 PM	#5
Fit Freak Fit Freak Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,797 Photos: 6	People typically bounce the weight off there chest so they can lift more w8 but they are actually cheating there development...never let your ego get in the way of your development. There is no place for ego in the gym
	Searching for the right balance...

08-20-2003, 04:39 PM	#6
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,392
	Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

08-21-2003, 08:07 AM	#8
Yanks20 Yanks Rule! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York Posts: 243	how in the hell can someone encourage you to bounce the weight? weightroom coach, sounds more like someone they just stuck in the gym and put that title next to his name. wonder what other training techniques he encourages. as FF said check you ego at the door and do things the right way, trust me you will be the one making better gains in the long run!

08-21-2003, 08:40 AM	#9
dg806 Guardian of The Homeland Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 17,443	I use to lift with a guy that did this. He bounced 365 off his chest so hard, I kept waiting for his ribs to break! I never could convince him to stop............if he did, his weight would go down.
	www.sbmuscle.com

08-21-2003, 02:06 PM	#11
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 23,075 Photos: 1	I agree with that, your cheating yourself out of a portion of the movement, for a powerlifter or a bodybuilder you are thusly wasting your time.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

08-21-2003, 04:07 PM	#12
Ralphie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston,TX U.S. Posts: 83	He actually did get his P.E. degree from Rice University, a top university heh.. but for P.E. I doubt it matters hahah

08-21-2003, 05:49 PM	#13
Jim1954 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 149 Photos: 3	When I was 18 years old, this bouncing the weight off the chest, was something I had seen all the time, in the first gym I joined. Of course being ignorant I adopted this method myself, and popped the cartilage out between a couple of ribs, at least this what a doctor told me. I also got into a physical altercation about the same time frame as the injury occurred, got kicked in the ribs. I do think it was the bouncing the weight off my chest. If you have ever broken a rib, this is what a cartilage injury feels like when it's the rib area, someone even told me it hurts worse. I can also tell you, I couldn't bench, squat, or do anything heavy for at least a month. Sure wish I would have asked this question all those years ago!
	Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. Yogi Berra

08-22-2003, 02:08 AM	#14
aceman Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 88	same Yeah there is a guy in my gym that goes up to about 375 and bounces the weight off his chest and arches his back at the same time. Strange technique. Everyone keeps telling him he is cheating but he will not change. Last time I spotted him I think I saw his chest compress at least a half an inch. Afterwards I told him I thought he was doing CPR. I said man you better be carefull you could throw your heart beat off compressing your chest that much. I was waiting to hear a huge cracking sound.
aceman Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 88

08-22-2003, 05:11 AM	#15
dumbell master of nothing Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 26	I would have to agree with everyone else in that using momentum to aid in your range of motion is only cheating yourself, if not hurting yourself. If you want to get that last impossible rep in your training partner is standing there. Good form with high intensity is safer in the long run.
dumbell master of nothing Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 26

08-22-2003, 02:18 PM	#17
gr81 You Lack Intensity!!!! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Just below our civil disguise Posts: 6,378 Photos: 10	as long as he is keeping his ass on the bench, it is still a legit bench. You can arch your back a much as you want. Bouncing is a ego booster though.
	Testosterone Site/Elite Fitness-Dave Tate/West Side Barbell/Berardi Nutrition & Sports Performance/Steroid Laws- Rick Collins/John Defendis Intensity or Insanity articles/Save the Supersonics

08-24-2003, 12:37 PM	#18
heavyweight1987 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: tennessee Posts: 127	you can mess up bad bouncing off your chest people tear pec muscles bruise chest and aot more bouncing off there chest,. so you can arch your back as much as you want???hmmmmmmmm i need to go max out right quick lol.
	bench:275 squat:550+ split leg deadlift:500+ im 15 215 never takin any suppliments just now starting tho.

08-24-2003, 01:10 PM	#19
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 23,075 Photos: 1	There is only so far you can go, like looking up as you do squats and deads though it helps keep the spine in proper alignment. If I dont arch then my back hurts when I bench heavy.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

08-24-2003, 01:37 PM	#20
heavyweight1987 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: tennessee Posts: 127	how much do u bench mudge u look like a pretty big dude.??
	bench:275 squat:550+ split leg deadlift:500+ im 15 215 never takin any suppliments just now starting tho.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode