Ordering a suit

[bullred]

I was looking at ordering the bench suit and squat suit. When i was ordering the bench shirt it ask back= firm , open ,velcro what is the best and what is the diffent in the three. Then on the squat suit they ask what size is that your waist size. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[jaybigboy34]

I wish someone would chime in. I would like to know some of these answers also. What brands are the best, how much of an increase in the bench press can I expect, etc.

 

[bullred]

Anybody out there can help out

 

[LAM]

I wish someone would chime in. I would like to know some of these answers also. What brands are the best, how much of an increase in the bench press can I expect, etc.

if you don't bench for competition there is no reason to use a shirt...

 

[Duncans Donuts]

Read above statement.

BTW post #1000 yay.

 

[CowPimp]

if you don't bench for competition there is no reason to use a shirt...

I would think it could be useful for training the top portion of your bench press if you are having trouble locking out. Of course, you could just do lockouts, board presses, or floor presses and avoid the hassle of squeezing into that tiny suit, but to each his own...

 

[Cold Iron]

I would think it could be useful for training the top portion of your bench press if you are having trouble locking out. Of course, you could just do lockouts, board presses, or floor presses and avoid the hassle of squeezing into that tiny suit, but to each his own...

I could be wrong but I think bench shirts are more of a help for getting it of your chest, on the bottom part of the lift

 

[CowPimp]

I could be wrong but I think bench shirts are more of a help for getting it of your chest, on the bottom part of the lift

Exactly. This is why it is better for training the top of your lift. You can use heavier weights, so you are lifting more weight at the top. It helps you at the bottom, you help yourself at the top.

 

[Newt]

Exactly. This is why it is better for training the top of your lift. You can use heavier weights, so you are lifting more weight at the top. It helps you at the bottom, you help yourself at the top.

?

 

[CowPimp]

Think about it. Bench pressing with a shirt on is like bench pressing with bands or chains. The further you move the bar away from you, the less the shirt is doing. Therefore, the resistance which you must overcome via your own strength increases the further you get away from your chest. You can use more weight using a shirt, just like you can use more weight when doing lockouts.

 

[LAM]

IMO...if you can't bench double your BW raw you have no business using a shirt

if you need to train improve on certain portions there are plenty of PL techniques to do so that do need use a bench shirt

 

[CowPimp]

if you need to train improve on certain portions there are plenty of PL techniques to do so that do need use a bench shirt

Agreed.

 

[Mudge]

I could be wrong but I think bench shirts are more of a help for getting it of your chest, on the bottom part of the lift

Which is why it helps the top portion of your bench, because that is where the difficulty will lie.

Dont train in a bench shirt alone, 3 spotters is prudent. Even Gene Rychlak on one of his first attempt at 1005 he almost whacked himself in the face, he came back later to finally do it successfully.

Just my 2 cents, if you dont know how to order a shirt, you aren't ready to use one. Research first, I dont own one yet and I am in the 400s raw.

Board presses or bands, rack lockouts are ok. Floor presses if you feel like it.

 

[bullred]

Can anybody answer the question?

 

[Mudge]

It all depends what you prefer, there is no "best."

Some guys are open back, some can't use them legally, some use velcro, some prefer closed, yada yada yada.

 

[jaybigboy34]

IMO...if you can't bench double your BW raw you have no business using a shirt

if you need to train improve on certain portions there are plenty of PL techniques to do so that do need use a bench shirt

So you are telling me that since I weigh 230 that I need to bench press 460 before even considering a bench shirt? I can bench 400 raw, I thought that was pretty good. Is everyone else benching twice their bodyweight? I have tendonitis in both shoulders, so I was considering trying a bench shirt to see if it would help ease the pain. I am also against bench shirts in competition, but if they are going to allow them to use them in a competition, then I guess I might as well start trying them also.

 

[LAM]

So you are telling me that since I weigh 230 that I need to bench press 460 before even considering a bench shirt? I can bench 400 raw, I thought that was pretty good. Is everyone else benching twice their bodyweight? I have tendonitis in both shoulders, so I was considering trying a bench shirt to see if it would help ease the pain. I am also against bench shirts in competition, but if they are going to allow them to use them in a competition, then I guess I might as well start trying them also.

if you have tendonitis in both shoulders, I definetly woudn't be training heavy in the bb bench. at lest not if you want to be able to raise your arms above your head in 30 years...

while a shirt may prevent you from sustained a catastrophic shoulder injury it surely won't help your tendonitis...

and your 400 raw bench is good for a 230 lber. but are you willing to trade a big bench for the mobility and full use of your shoulders later in life ?

 

[Duncans Donuts]

Do people who don't compete in powerlifting need these shirts? Honestly?

 

[LAM]

Do people who don't compete in powerlifting need these shirts? Honestly?

not if hypertrophy is their main concern...there is zero benefit

 

[jaybigboy34]

if you have tendonitis in both shoulders, I definetly woudn't be training heavy in the bb bench. at lest not if you want to be able to raise your arms above your head in 30 years...

while a shirt may prevent you from sustained a catastrophic shoulder injury it surely won't help your tendonitis...

and your 400 raw bench is good for a 230 lber. but are you willing to trade a big bench for the mobility and full use of your shoulders later in life ?

Doctor told me to keep doing what I am doing. He said that working out is better for them than not exercising at all. A physical therapist told me that also. They didn't mention about lifting heavy, but they did say keep working out.

 

[Mudge]

I am also against bench shirts in competition, but if they are going to allow them to use them in a competition, then I guess I might as well start trying them also.

You know what shoulder problems are like but you expect everyone else to be doing their 700-1005 bench presses with no protection?

Bench Shirt 101; or what I???ve learned from Metal Militia.
By Jim Wendler
For EliteFTS.com

It is no secret that Bill Crawford and the Metal Militia are the undisputed kings of the bench press. They have taken the bench shirt to new levels. Not only have they revolutionized how to put the shirt on, but they have learned how to correctly bench with a shirt. The bench shirt is a difficult thing to master and is probably the most frustrating piece of equipment in the powerlifter???s arsenal. I am by no means a master of the bench shirt. In fact, I???m in the same boat as most of you. I can???t count the number conversations that I???ve had with other powerlifters on how to use a shirt and (more importantly) how to use it correctly.

Earlier this year, I had the chance to attend a seminar given at Nazareth Barbell by Mike Miller and Bill Crawford. This was a great experience and I came away with a ton of great information and a new gym PR. Coming home, I was excited to begin teaching myself and others what I???ve learned. Unfortunately, there was a lot of information and a lot to go over and digest. With the help of Bill, Mike, Dave Tate and Bob Youngs, I started trying some of the new techniques. Here is a brief overview on what I learned. Remember that this is second hand information. Some of it may be slightly skewed but this should help you get started.

Putting the Bench Shirt on

1. Put your shirt on and have someone pull the shoulders on as tight and high as possible. Do this one shoulder at a time. The best way to do this is to have your partner pull on the back of the shirt while you lean forward. If the arms of your shirt are tight, it would benefit you to wiggle your arms back and forth. This will help pull the shirt on and place it in the correct position. Your partner may have to brace one of his arms on your middle back to give him better leverage.
2. Now that your shoulders are in the shirt, attach the Velcro straps on the back of the shirt very lightly. You do not want these to be tight. Usually, the bottom two straps are the only ones that are fastened.
3. Put your belt on. It should be loose at this point.
4. Have your partner stand in front of you. With your arms out in front of you, cross them so that the chest plate of your shirt develops ???shirt cleavage???.
5. With your arms crossed, have your partner tug on the bottom of your shirt. This will eliminate the ???shirt cleavage???.
6. Once the cleavage is gone, your partner should hold the bottom of your shirt taut. At this point, arch your lower and upper back and uncross your arms. The shirt should be very tight in your chest and shoulders. With your partner holding the bottom of your shirt, have someone tightened your belt. This will keep the shirt in place. Make sure the belt is very tight. You will have to suck your stomach in to achieve this.
7. Once the shirt is in position, have your partner adjust the shoulders again. You do not want to pull them as high as they were in the beginning, but just enough to be comfortable. This will vary from person to person and in time, you will know exactly where you want the shirt.

Technique


1. When setting up underneath the bar (setting your upper back, lats and your low back arch), the shirt will have a tendency to ride up and lose position. In order to combat this, set yourself up using an underhand close grip. This will keep your shirt in perfect place. Once your body position is perfect, grab the bar at your competition grip. I personally like to pull myself up (like an underhand pull-up), tuck my feet underneath me, pull my upper back together and push myself into position. This is what I???ve always done, but was reinforced over and over again at Nazareth Barbell by Mike Miller and Bill Crawford. Your upper back should feel spring loaded. If you do this correctly, you will probably be sore the next day.
2. Once you receive your handoff, hold the bar for a second or two. This will accomplish two things. One, it will allow you to start the bar where you want it. Too many times people will rush the descent and thus lose their groove. Two, it will allow you to let the bar sink and reduce the distance the bar has to travel. When you hold the bar, push your shoulder blades/upper back into the bench and push your stomach up. I???ve seen a lifter take more than 3??? off his stroke by simply mastering this technique. To learn how to do this, put your shirt on and practice this with light weights. You???ll be surprised at how much this helps.
3. When you begin lowering the bar, do not tuck your elbows in the beginning. Keep your elbows out during the first inch or so. This will help lock your shirt into your triceps. Once the back of your shirt sleeves lock, begin tucking your elbows. This is one that needs to be practiced over and over again. You will develop the feel of when to begin tucking your elbows over time. Again, this is very individualistic.
4. When you are lowering the bar, keep your head on the bench and keep pushing your chest and stomach up as high as possible. This will reduce the distance that you have to push the bar. Having someone yell, ???Big stomach!??? or something similar will help. Make sure you are keeping your upper back and lats tight and pulled together.
5. Keep tucking your elbows as hard as you can. Once the bar touches your chest/stomach and you receive the press command, drive your feet into the ground and your upper back into the bench.
6. At about ¾ of the way up, begin turning your elbows out. This will ensure for a stronger lockout and a more advantageous pressing position. In order to see how to do this, I highly recommend going to a seminar by Bill Crawford or Mike Miller. Also, the Nazareth Bench Video is a great way to see this technique. This has to be practiced over and over again. You will not get this down on the first try so don???t get frustrated. There is an incredible amount of timing involved.
7. Once you lockout the weight, hold it and wait for the rack command.
8. Some of the key points such as pushing your belly out, tucking your elbows, holding the bar at the top, keeping your head down, etc. are things that need to be coached throughout the lift. This is what training partners are for. They need to be coaching you throughout the entire lift. I also recommend trying these new techniques one at a time. Trying all of these things at once will result in sensory overload.

I realize that it is difficult to ???see??? some of these things in an article, but you should get an idea of what most of this means. The best way to learn is to get out and do it! Even if you don???t get it right the first time, you may stumble onto something. Again, I highly suggest trying to go to a seminar with Mike Miller and/or Bill Crawford. Call EliteFTS @ 888 854 8806 if you are interested in the Nazareth Barbell Bench Video. Also, I will not answer any question such as, ???What does Louie Simmons think of all of this???? If you want to know, ask him yourself. EliteFTS is not a messenger for Louie Simmons. Now go get some chalk on your hands and learn how to bench.

 

[bullred]

Damn that is alot of stuff to do.

 

[jaybigboy34]

You know what shoulder problems are like but you expect everyone else to be doing their 700-1005 bench presses with no protection?

Well, I am a big Bill Kazmier fan, and I don't think there would be these big 800-1000lb. bench presses without these shirts. I think that if they really help protect you from getting injured it is alright to use them, but to use them in a competition breaking records set by people without these shirts just isn't right.

 

[bullred]

There probable alittle more help than that CLEAR CREAM. HAHA

 

[bullred]

Could not help it i got a bench shirt. The only problem i have is it hurts under my arms pits . Any advice about work with them would be nice . I'm going to read the letter that mudge put in the message board.

 

[Mudge]

The best bench shirts pop blood vessles

I would consider a Titan flexi-back, they are under $100. Easier to put on that a closed back shirt, not $200+ like a fully open back double denim blood vessel poppin' good time. I will probably pick up one eventually to be used every other week, but when I dont know. That seems to be a good, entry level shirt though that is relatively painless to use.

 

[Mudge]

Well, I am a big Bill Kazmier fan, and I don't think there would be these big 800-1000lb. bench presses without these shirts. I think that if they really help protect you from getting injured it is alright to use them, but to use them in a competition breaking records set by people without these shirts just isn't right.

Kaz was a good strong 600 bencher raw. Right now one of the best is Glen Chabot and he tore his pec twice doing raw benches, I have a clip of him doing 675 firing it up pretty damn fast. The worlds best raw bench officially I believe is 711 by a huge 400 pounder, but Scot Mendelson claims a shirtless 713 bench.

Sure a huge raw bench is bitchin, its just risky as hell at the level these guys are at. But hey, when you are working with 800 and no protection, you tell them they are pussies because I know I will never be putting up those numbers myself.

 

[bullred]

So your saying alittle pain come with the shirt. Once i get it right im going to have to work with my technique big time.