Thread: Bench contests

Yes that is a legal press. Also, your butt must stay in touch with the bench, no matter how much of a lower back ark you have in your form your butt must touch the bench the entire lift for it to count.

Having been to a few, the rules are pretty simple:

You may not move your feet, you may arch back slightling but your ass, head, and shoulders may not come off the bench. You can have someone lift the bar off the rack when you are ready. You must then hold the bar in the air to show you have control of the weight. Then you bring the bar down to your chest, the judges will usually make you hold it there for a 1-1000, 2-1000 count. They will then say press. You need to bring the weight evenly. If one arm locks out before the other it's not a good lift. Once both arms are locked out evenly the judge will once again make sure you have control of the weight before giving you the "rack" command. Most big bench pressers in local gyms that get spots from hell and just bounce the weight off their chests real quickly claim to bench a shitload of weight. But in an actual contest they'd probably do extremely shitty.

Does your head really have to stay in contact with the bench? I have seen a lot of guys that actually tuck thier chin as they are lowering the weight?

Yea, I hope so. Because I was scratched for brining my head up once. lol If it's a shitload of weight though sometimes the judges can be very leaniant just to please the crowd. I've noticed this even at state-level competitions.

Usually you need to let it sit on your chest for one full second until they say PRESS or whatever their chosen keyword is.

Originally posted by Deeznuts
Yea, I hope so. Because I was scratched for brining my head up once. lol If it's a shitload of weight though sometimes the judges can be very leaniant just to please the crowd. I've noticed this even at state-level competitions.

Yeah, because one of my buddies who has competed a lot always benches with his head up and chin tucked into his chest. He says he feels more comfortble that way?

C. BENCH PRESS

1. The front of the bench press bench must be placed on the platform facing the Chief Referee.

2. The lifter must lie on his back with head, shoulders and buttocks in contact with the flat bench surface. His shoes must be flat on the floor. The position must be maintained throughout the attempt.

3. If the lifter’s costume and the bench surface are not of a significant color contrast to enable the referee to detect possible movement at the points of contact, then the bench surface may be covered accordingly.

4. To achieve firm footing the lifter may use plates or blocks, not exceeding 7” in height, to build up the surface of the platform. Whichever method is chosen, the entire foot must be flat on the surface. If blocks are used, they shall not exceed 18”x18”. The use of footplates will be allowed only if they are necessary for the lifter to reach the floor. The Chief Referee will make the final decision.

5. No more than four and no less than two spotter-loaders shall be in attendance. The lifter may enlist the help of the spotter-loaders in removing the bar from the racks. The lifters’ coach or teammate may be enlisted in removing the bar from the racks, but may not coach or encourage the lifter in any way during the course of the attempt. The lift-off must be to arm’s length and not down at the chest.

6. The spacing of the hands shall not exceed 81 cms. measured between the forefingers.

7. After receiving the bar at arm’s length, the lifter shall lower the bar to his chest and await the referee’s signal.

8. The signal shall be the audible command “Press” and will be given when the bar is motionless on the chest.

9. After the signal to commence the lift has been given, the bar is pressed vertically to straight arm’s length and held motionless until the audible command “Rack” is given.



D. D. CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICAITION OF A BENCH PRESS

1. Failure to observe the referee’s signals at the commencement or completion of the lift.

2. Any change in the elected lifting position during the lift proper, i.e. any raising movement of the head, shoulders, buttocks, or feet from their original points of contact with the bench or the floor, or lateral movement of the hands on the bar.

3. Allowing the bar to sink into the chest after receiving the referee’s signal.

4. The bar stopping or either end of the bar descending in the course of being pressed out.

5. Any uneven lockout of the arms during the press, as judged by whether either end of the bar descends in the course of being pressed out.

6. Contact with the bar by the spotter-loaders between the referee’s signals.

7. Any contact of the lifter’s feet with the bench or its supports.

8. Deliberate contact between the bar and the bar-rest uprights during the lift to make the press easier.

Credit: http://www.thspa.org/rule_book/2004/...mance%2004.htm


There ya go

here ya go, enjoy this:


Gene Rychlak benched 885 lbs

http://www.bodytechusa.com/images/GR...AN03_Small.swf

900 with a quad ply shirt is the last big bench I heard of, not in competition though.

Originally posted by P-funk
here ya go, enjoy this:
Gene Rychlak benched 885 lbs

Seemed like a mighty quick "1001". He definitely paused it though, and performed a nice rep in excellent form. Wonder how much he benchs without the shirt?

Originally posted by Mudge
900 with a quad ply shirt is the last big bench I heard of, not in competition though.

right he is the one that hit 900lbs. in preactice. I think in this competition he hit 855lbs.

Gotcha. I dont know what the rules are for 2 ply etc in competition, but I dont think 4 ply is allowed.

Shirtless nobody is benching into the 800s that I've heard of. The shirt is supposed to be there to protect their shoulders.