Bench, with or without thumbs..

[JonnyStead]

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!

 

[Big G]

You're a dumbass.

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

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.

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*

 

[Yanick]

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.

 

[Witchblade]

Yanick speaks teh tr00th.

 

[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.

 

[DOMS]

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.

 

[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

 

[DOMS]

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.

 

[gr81]

ah yes, natural selection hard at work.. ha

 

[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.

 

[DOMS]

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.

 

[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!

 

[DOMS]

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!

 

[TrojanMan60563]

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.

 

[JamesTheScot]

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."

 

[LT81]

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.

 

[Double D]

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