I just took my grip out to index finger on the rings and it’s made benching much easier. It’s actually becoming more of a back squeeze and arm-straightening exercise except for the initial push off the chest. Very interesting. With a good arch, the compression practically pushes up the bar for me.
so much awesome going on here that you made me tired.
plz to have some of your gumption?
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
giterdone, you mean gripping on or near those outer rings? Wow! This has never occurred to me. I do have rather long arms. And, thanks for the compliments.
O, I had no idea that the grip I’ve been using (which is a thumb-span away from the edge of the knurling) is a CLOSE GRIP. I’m going to try a slightly wider grip next time and see what the heck happens. My bench is a frustrating lift for me and I’m happy to switch it up. Bearing in mind Snapper’s shoulder warnings.
[/quote]
Arm length is relevant. If you look at your vid and Joe’s you will see that your elbows are 3-4" below the plane of the bench and Joe’s are barely going below. Your range of motion is much greater.
I recall Alisa mentioning in her log that she widened her grip and her bench is now coming along.
I like the advice to make gradual changes and monitor the situation.
Kimba, I like your spirit. I’m a fitness model in LA California. Here is video about the exercise.
cool video, Natalie!! Thanks for posting it…
HIEEE, Kimba!!!
[quote]giterdone wrote:
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
giterdone, you mean gripping on or near those outer rings? Wow! This has never occurred to me. I do have rather long arms. And, thanks for the compliments.
O, I had no idea that the grip I’ve been using (which is a thumb-span away from the edge of the knurling) is a CLOSE GRIP. I’m going to try a slightly wider grip next time and see what the heck happens. My bench is a frustrating lift for me and I’m happy to switch it up. Bearing in mind Snapper’s shoulder warnings.
[/quote]
Arm length is relevant. If you look at your vid and Joe’s you will see that your elbows are 3-4" below the plane of the bench and Joe’s are barely going below. Your range of motion is much greater.
I recall Alisa mentioning in her log that she widened her grip and her bench is now coming along.
I like the advice to make gradual changes and monitor the situation.
[/quote]
Stop making fun of my T-rex like arms, damn you.
[quote]JoeGood wrote:
[quote]giterdone wrote:
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
giterdone, you mean gripping on or near those outer rings? Wow! This has never occurred to me. I do have rather long arms. And, thanks for the compliments.
O, I had no idea that the grip I’ve been using (which is a thumb-span away from the edge of the knurling) is a CLOSE GRIP. I’m going to try a slightly wider grip next time and see what the heck happens. My bench is a frustrating lift for me and I’m happy to switch it up. Bearing in mind Snapper’s shoulder warnings.
[/quote]
Arm length is relevant. If you look at your vid and Joe’s you will see that your elbows are 3-4" below the plane of the bench and Joe’s are barely going below. Your range of motion is much greater.
I recall Alisa mentioning in her log that she widened her grip and her bench is now coming along.
I like the advice to make gradual changes and monitor the situation.
[/quote]
Stop making fun of my T-rex like arms, damn you. [/quote]
I was trying not to be obvious about it.
awww, the boys are fighting!
popcorn, anyone?
DCA, I can’t say that I feel very much “back squeeze” going on in my bench. But I haven’t spent any time thinking about my bench either. Until now, that is.
CBear, you don’t need any more gumption but if’n you did I’d share mine.
giterdone, it is true. I have long arms. Making deadlift my favorite lift, and bench the poor stepchild.
Joe, you say “t-rex like arms” like its a bad thing.
Natalie, I love your intensity and your work ethic. Thanks so much for sharing that video.
HI BETTY!
Today’s training was a 2 hr. 30 min. ride, of which 1 hour 15 min. was straight up. This may have accounted for my falling into a vat of homemade mac n’ cheese just now.
I had to narrow my grip to take the pressure off my cranky shoulder. I’m not benching currently, though - the shoulder gets cranky enough at times that I have to abandon benching every so often. It’s annoying.
Your arch is nice. What really impressed me, though, is that you can really see your lats. Yay for low body fat.
I was trying not to be obvious about it.
[/quote]
All right that’s it.
Good job on the bench PR!!! I don’t know anything about form, but I did notice you were benching in a straight line until the last few reps where the bar wiggled back and forth, but that’s normal. 
I happen to do that all the time, apparently. :\ You have a good arch, too! As I said before, you are very bendy! 
nice arch
nice bench pr
and very nice hair.
so jealous of the Cali weather…
Greeney, I have NO idea where my bar path is. At this point, I’m just so happy when the bar moves off of my chest.
N., a PR with good hair is better than a PR with bad hair. I hope that isn’t wrong, somehow.
Yesterday’s training was a 4 hour 20 min ride with 4576 feet of climbing. That is a hell of a lot of climbing.
If it uploads, this is a picture of me after climbing up and up.
HI Kimba
Thanks for your compliments. It’s my pleasure. You just keep your energy up and doing great with your exercise.
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
Yesterday’s training was a 4 hour 20 min ride with 4576 feet of climbing. That is a hell of a lot of climbing.[/quote]
That’s an awesome climb - you ought to still be wiped out today!
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
Yesterday’s training was a 4 hour 20 min ride with 4576 feet of climbing. That is a hell of a lot of climbing.[/quote]
Holy moley…
4 hr and 20 min ride? Wow! Was there stops along the way for nom noms?