2 Quick Bench Press Fixes

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Full disclosure:  I hate bench pressing. Not because I think it’s dangerous or anything. I’m just no good at at. By that token I also hate, in no particular order:

1. Salsa dancing
2. Driving stick shift
3. Chess
4. Talking about feelings

Well, maybe I’m not giving myself enough credit. My best bench press is 315 lbs (at a bodyweight that hovers around 200 lbs), and while I recognize that that number won’t turn any heads at a local powerlifting meet, it’s not something to shrug off.  It’s still 1.5x bodyweight, which for many guys is more than enough and represents a strength marker that’s above average. Especially considering it’s a raw lift and my anthropometry (leverages).

I.e., I have very long arms.

Funnily enough, I remember a while back I wrote an article on T-Nation where I was discussing bench technique (much like the video below) and one guy, after reading in the first paragraph what my max bench press was, made a comment that he was done reading after that.

“Why would I take advice from a guy who only has a 315 lb bench press?” he stated.

To which I shot back, “Well, my internet max is like 455. I obviously know what I’m talking about.”

Count it!

Listen, I’ll be the first to admit I’ll never break any bench pressing records. But I know how to coach, and I know how to coach the bench press.

Below is a video I shot a few months ago that for some reason I completely forgot about. I happened to come across it this morning and figured it would be a nice thing to share with the masses.

Yeah, you’re welcome…..;o)

In it I discuss two common bench pressing mistakes that I see a lot of trainees make and how to address/fix them – especially if pressing hurts your shoulder(s).

Zero points awarded to me for the lame attempt at a beard.

Note:  this IS NOT an all-points tutorial on bench pressing. I only wanted to highlight these two common mistakes. So, to the guy giving my flak for not saying anything about leg drive. Relax. Go watch a Dave Tate video.

In Addition

For some more insight on how you can make bench pressing a little more “shoulder friendly” check out THIS article from a few months ago discussing five other strategies you can implement today.

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