Thread: What is a bench press shirt?

Originally Posted by Detroit_4_Life

I heard of them, but dont know what they are... Can any1 help me out here?

An extremely tight shirt that takes 2 people to put on and off, and basically it locks your arms out in front of you. It forces your arms foward.

Lmao @ the taking 2 people to take on and off

Are they suppose to increase your bench or something?

Originally Posted by Detroit_4_Life

Lmao @ the taking 2 people to take on and off

Are they suppose to increase your bench or something?

I've had a shirt add up to 40 lbs to my benchpress.

Damn where can i get one? U think a place like Dicks or Dunhams (Sporting goods stores) would have one?

&

How Much on average do they cost

Originally Posted by Detroit_4_Life

Damn where can i get one? U think a place like Dicks or Dunhams (Sporting goods stores) would have one?

&

How Much on average do they cost

No idea, but it's pointless to get one for personal use. Like I said it takes 2 guys to put it on, and take it off. They're pretty painful to put on and take off and to use. They're only used in competition.

Thanks for the info

Originally Posted by Detroit_4_Life

Damn where can i get one? U think a place like Dicks or Dunhams (Sporting goods stores) would have one?

&

How Much on average do they cost

Check out www.elitefts.com

I honestly wouldn't bother with a shirt unless you plan on competing as a powerlifter. They're just not practical unless you have someone to help you put it on and off.

Also, some of the top benchers in the world get around 300 pounds extra on their bench out of shirts.

Fuck them.

Ive seen a guy put one of these shirts on and yes his friend had to help him. He looked uncomfortable and not happy. His lift? Shit, I dont remember, I just knew I was stronger than him.

I dont see the point either. Its always a crutch. I mean if you can put up some numbers and you put this shirt on to reach these allegid numbers, then Id guess you BRAG about these numbers. People you brag to are gonna want to know what you can bench when youre raw (cuz chances are, they dont have a shirt) that way its equal. Bragging rights belong to those who work hard to get a bench up without a shirt.

If you are not a powerlifter and know how to train in one, dont bother.

They will not greatly improve your bench press until you have the tricep strength for them, and you spend a few months learning how to use one properly. My shirt took about 6 weeks to break in to where I could even touch with the bar, and it was an oversized single ply only.

If you use one constantly your raw bench will decrease as well.

I don't use one to bench press. I prefer to lift raw. But I love sleeping in them. They keep me very tight and cozy.

Originally Posted by P-funk

I don't use one to bench press. I prefer to lift raw. But I love sleeping in them. They keep me very tight and cozy.

I personally do not have a positive opinion about them either.

Any clue as to why it takes two people to put on? My guess would be after throwing it over the shoulders, your arms would be locked forward so you can't pull it down towards your waist?

Originally Posted by Focus

I personally do not have a positive opinion about them either.

Any clue as to why it takes two people to put on? My guess would be after throwing it over the shoulders, your arms would be locked forward so you can't pull it down towards your waist?

um, have you ever seen how little and tight those things are?

Picture a 300lb super heavy weight trying to fit into something that is tighter than a wet suit and as small as an infants t-shirt.....lol.

2-3 people + lots of baby powder.

Originally Posted by Focus

Any clue as to why it takes two people to put on? My guess would be after throwing it over the shoulders, your arms would be locked forward so you can't pull it down towards your waist?

For a shirt that is competition tight, you would not even be able to get it past your head because your arms would be stuck up in the air.

Mine was one size oversized, just for training in. Competition tight though are sometimes slightly undersized.

Just putting the shirt on though doesn't mean jack shit. You need a strong individual to help position it perfectly, and help put your belt on tightly so that it stays in place. Positioning the shirt is an art form in itself, if it is not done correctly you wont place the bar where you are most powerful, so you must combine the shirts power point with your own. The more you pull the front of the shirt down the more assistance you get out of it, but again, you move the support zone when you do that.

You can't pull the sleeves below your elbows either, thats illegal.

Anyhow, I'm not going to write an article here. Some of you guys seem to think you just throw a shirt on and become Zeus. Thats not the case, putting it on, training in it, purchasing the right shirt in the first place, all becomes an art form. Some are better than others, which is why some get so much out of it. Training becomes shirt specific, if you dont have the tricep strength you also wont get much out of a shirt no matter how tight it is.

yea, guys practice for months to try and learn their gear (either bench shirts or squat suits) and how to get the most out of them. it is really a whole different approach to lifting.

Not trying to be a dick here, but why did they even invent these things? Why does an individual need a tight shirt just to bench more than he could raw? In my opinion, i think a shirt really takes away the true sport of powerlifting. Same goes with squats. I would feel more joy benching 545 raw than 600+ with a shirt. Using a shirt just to bench more is like expanding the hoop in basketball. There is no point. Do things the natural way that it was intended to be. You don't need all this fancy shit to get the upper edge. Using it for fun competition or just general training is fine but to use it in a real competition is kind of over the top.

originally they were made to protect the lifter. people just figured out how to get the most out of them and they just blew up from there.

it spoils the sport for me too. i don't like it. but at the same time i don't take away anything from those guys. I still couldn't do what they do with a shirt or squat suit on.

I also dislike the use of shirts and such. As P said though, it's to protect the lifter. Honestly, it wouldn't be a problem if so many of the people weren't on gear (Chemical assistance). This allows their strength to outpace their connective tissue's ability to adapt, and a pec tear may be the result. I think the ergogenics take away from the sport too, but it's a part of all athletics whether we like it or not.

We've already been through this at least a dozen if not more times.

Most people think its lame, a few people, i.e. those in powerlifting know that they compete with EACH OTHER on level playing ground and are OK with it.

If you want to train raw, great - train raw. For the time being I am raw only, but if they want to wear a shirt it doesn't change my life in the least.

Originally Posted by Mudge

We've already been through this at least a dozen if not more times.

Most people think its lame, a few people, i.e. those in powerlifting know that they compete with EACH OTHER on level playing ground and are OK with it.

If you want to train raw, great - train raw. For the time being I am raw only, but if they want to wear a shirt it doesn't change my life in the least.

exactly. if you are going to compete in these organizations, you would be a fool not to wear as much gear as you can. Level playing field is key. It be like an NFL running back showing up on game day with no pads on.

Originally Posted by shiznit2169

Do things the natural way that it was intended to be. You don't need all this fancy shit to get the upper edge. Using it for fun competition or just general training is fine but to use it in a real competition is kind of over the top.

For money, power or glory - mankind always finds way to do things the 'supernatural' way. But Barry Bonds still insists he thought it was just vitamins.

Originally Posted by Mudge

For money, power or glory - mankind always finds way to do things the 'supernatural' way. But Barry Bonds still insists he thought it was just vitamins.

the competitive nature of an elite athlete is going to lead them to always push the limits somehom. just look at the latest two to get busted....Floyd Landis and Justin Gattlin.

Originally Posted by P-funk

exactly. if you are going to compete in these organizations, you would be a fool not to wear as much gear as you can. Level playing field is key. It be like an NFL running back showing up on game day with no pads on.

At least in PL its not a way to make a living. So if you choose, you can compete in raw organizations or just go out and have fun, which was my original intention. I know I am not going to break national or world records, so I am not interested either in speinding 20% of my life trying to maximize gear (clothing) efficiency and that crap.

Lift for yourself. I get a little tired of seeing threads on how 'ghey' things are, if you dont like it dont do it. Pretty simple. If it gets another man up in the morning, then let him wear his little shirt and be happy. I'll even help him put it on. Just like bitching about the way people lift in the gym. I stopped spending time paying attention to how everyone else trains 'incorrectly' years ago.

I have a friend who is competing at the end of the month, he is going to be raw, and all natural. He knows he wont break records either, its just for fun. Most of the time I think people who bitch about shirts are those who are relatively new to lifting, I know this isn't always true. But I would think, and hope that most of the more experienced guys just look away and go back to their own thing.

I too, wonder what Gene Rychlak could really bench raw. At least with Mendy we already know the answer. But if I never know what Gene can do its not going to kill me, big fuckin deal.

Originally Posted by P-funk

the competitive nature of an elite athlete is going to lead them to always push the limits somehom. just look at the latest two to get busted....Floyd Landis and Justin Gattlin.

And it is debated that is the way the shirt got started, just finding a way to get an edge. Somehow it got allowed as protective equipment, but shirts got tighter and more stoutly built. One of my gym buddies who I've known for a couple years, thinks they are lame, but he still offered to help me when I was considering competition.

For those that dont like PL, you can always watch Strongman. Plenty of BB and PLers go to Strongman when they become 'tired' of things. I still find PL more exciting than BB though, "......... side triceps pose................ rear double bicep..........." doesn't really get me pumped while watching an event, with a bunch of dudes in underwear. But, I would be just as tired of seeing 20 posts about how 'ghey' BB is as much as PL or anything else.

Just lift your weights the way you want, and shaddup.

If we had only one 'sport' based on lifting weights, it wouldn't be as neat as it is. I like the diversity.

I hear you Mudge. Like I said, whether or not we like it that's the way it is. I don't really care, but I just have more respect for those who do it raw. Not that using equipment totally adominishes any bit of accomplishment, far from it. I just think raw is badass. That's my opinion, but I realize that doesn't mean that all meets should fit my ideal of what a powerlifting competition should be.

I don't think shirts should be removed necessarily. It's cool to see someone bench 1000 pounds, and it adds an element of skill to the competition in the form of learning your gear. Really, my only problem with high level powerlifting competitions these days is the lax judging. Sometimes a lift will pass that blows my mind. I swear to God they just pick who they like, or the crowd likes, and give it to them if there's any semblance of a lift that adheres to the standards set forth by the organization.

I think they said Gene can do 600 and change raw? Who knows though...he is a shirted bencher...and the best ever at that.

One of the reasons I love the New England Record Breakers meet is because they take guys that lift in "equipted" meets and have them compete in a RAW contest. That is friggin' awesome and it is amazing to see the raw strength of those guys. Those videos I threw up there were sweet as hell.

I can't even imagine having 1000 pounds over my wrists, thats just nuts.

Mendy still owns the raw record with a 715 flat bench, and shirted 1008.