Please explain Bench shirts ????

[seth042280]

Ok I have read all about the bench shirt and I have seen mixed feelings on them . If anyone has actually used one please let me know how in the world they work .

 

[Arnold]

I have not used one, but basically they are like knee wraps, they create a spring like effect in the chest/shoulders that allows you to bench press more weight.

 

[seth042280]

But what I dont get is this .300 pounds is 300 pounds . so if you bench 250 and you put one on and can bench 300 , are you actually benching 300 or is this like a cheat method . IT almost sounds like a mind thing . you can say you benched 300 but for those of us who raw bench that, its kinda not true . It seems like it would be lying to yourself ...

 

[Arnold]

I think it's both, the shirt definitely helps by around 10% or so, but the feeling of it and knowing that it helps can also increase your lift from a mental standpoint. I used to do benchpress competitions when I was a teen and I knew a few benchers that wore them. But, yeah it is basically cheating, and I always thought that they should not allow them.

 

[Skib]

i've never even heard of this "device"

 

[Mudge]

Its just a really tight shirt, you can buy them to fit your chest size, they come in I believe 1" increments.

 

[ZECH]

You have to have three people help put it on you it's so tight.

 

[Pressalot]

Reminds me of a jogger paying extra money for extra light weight running shoes. Unless you're competing, you want the workout, so why make it easier?

 

[racoon02]

3 people!? It used to take almost the whole powerlifting team to get min on hehe. Mine was intentionaly 10 sizes to small though, and once I got it on my arms were strait out infront of me, and they werent movin unless I put 400 pounds on the bar hehe.

Basically, they ARE a form of cheating, but they are allowed in most powelifting orginizations. I wouldnt use one to work out, pointless.

Speaking of powerlifting, I still have marks scars on my knees from the knee wraps... and I havnt powerlifted in 5 months

 

[seth042280]

thanks for your replies guys . this has really helped me make my decision to not get one . the only way I would get one is if I made a bet to lift more than I really could.

 

[Mudge]

Originally posted by racoon02
3 people!? It used to take almost the whole powerlifting team to get min on hehe. Mine was intentionaly 10 sizes to small though, and once I got it on my arms were strait out infront of me, and they werent movin unless I put 400 pounds on the bar hehe.

Same thing I heard, people can't really lower thier arms.

 

[Tank316]

Originally posted by dg806
You have to have three people help put it on you it's so tight.

sometimes 4 people, its a bitch. yes, its like cheating to a point, but theres also a safety factor involved as well as knee wraps and suits for squatting!