Ryan Kennelly's 1036lb Bench Press!

Training Powerlifting
122

Word, the true nature of the sport is tainted, tainted I tell you! We need to bring back feather packed golf balls and wooden clubs. the graphite and carbon fiber perimeter weighted crap has perverted what the true icons of golf intended when they started this sport that I don’t give a crap about.

Whether or not Kennelly lifted a grand and change with a shirt, most douche bags here couldn’t come within 350 lbs or so if he and said douche bags lifted raw.

[quote]fightingtiger wrote:
I personally think they should outlaw the use of such devices in golf. Whats next? Rocket propelled laser guided golf balls? Its the exact same thing when you think about it. We all know that this sort of Wil-e-coyote nonsense always comes to pass in time. We as non-golfers need to take a stand against the egregious abuse of performance enhancing golf balls in golf. I don’t like professional golf that much. I tend to stick to the putt putt course at my local amusement park. Besides, Tiger Woods is on steroids.[/quote]

123

[quote]mattwray wrote:
undeadlift wrote:
I have a new thought to share. The reason why equipment is OK in powerlifting is because the people and authority in the powerlifting world define it to be OK. Simple as that.

Likewise, the reason why long jumpers can’t use trampolines is because the people and authority in the track and field world define it so.

Now, I’m not just talking about rules. I’m talking about culture. The problem with most guys who can’t accept powerlifting shirts is that they look at things too much from an etic perspective, basing everything they see on standards and beliefs their own culture has ingrained into them. These people should show some cultural relativism and try to understand powerlifters in an emic perspective.

Powerlifting is a culture on its own, and whether we like their culture or not, we have to show some respect, the same way we respect other religions, foreign cultures, etc.

Please refrain from future use of rational thought and wisdom. These gear debates have no place for intelligence.

[/quote]

Lol. It wouldn’t be a debate then, but more like random ranting. Good one, though.

124

[quote]fightingtiger wrote:
What does that have to do with?

[/quote]

What does my bench have to do with my opinion of bench shirts? Nothing.

Saying that a shirt adding 300 POUNDS on someones bench is a gross misrepresentation of how much that PERSON can bench isn’t “talking shit”. Its a fact. I’m not saying they shouldnt bench in shirts, just that they shouldn’t claim “I can bench X” when the shirt gives them so much of an advantage. Thats all.

So why are you defending shirts so much? If the lifters know, and admit, that the shirt allows them to bench significantly more than they could without… why do you throw a hissyfit when a casual observer notes the same?

Its a piece of equipment that, when used, gives an unrealistic representation of a persons abilities.

If corked bats were made legal in baseball, would you defend them?

Thats ok, they dont have to care, they have hounds like you who will get all huffy over someone saying that Kennelly wouldn’t be able to lift within two hundred pounds of 1036 pounds if not for the shirt. Nevermind that its true, or he would admit it… you still get upset over it.

About how much improvement would you say? Theres a big difference between, say, a better pole being used and getting an extra inch or two… and a better shirt allowing for 300 pounds more being moved.

[quote]
Im thinking that maybe a 1036 lb bench press, shirted or not, just makes your dick feel smaller and youre going to do everything in your internet power to change that.[/quote]

He benched 1036 with a shirt and would probably bench 700-800 without. The shirt is responsible for a few hundred pounds. Is this untrue? No. So why do you get so upset when someone points it out?

125

[quote]fightingtiger wrote:
I personally think they should outlaw the use of such devices in golf. Whats next? Rocket propelled laser guided golf balls? Its the exact same thing when you think about it. We all know that this sort of Wil-e-coyote nonsense always comes to pass in time. We as non-golfers need to take a stand against the egregious abuse of performance enhancing golf balls in golf. I dont like professional golf that much. I tend to stick to the putt putt course at my local amusement park. Besides, Tiger Woods is on steroids.[/quote]

Wow, lets be paranoid. Show me where ANY poster who has said they think bench shirts give an unrealistic advantage to lifters [b]tried to take a stand against bench shirts[b].

Who said people shouldnt be allowed to use them? Who said federations that use them should be disbanded? Who said anything, at all, like that?

Or are you just mad that they dont get all starry eyed and drool when they hear that someone bench pressed 1000+ pounds because they are aware that the same lifter wouldnt be able to do that within a few hundred pounds without a shirt?

Whats really funny is that you keep pointing out that the lifters know, and dont care.

So, I imagine, a lifters response would be “Yes I’m aware that I couldnt bench that much raw, but I’m ok with that.”

Not-

“Stop trying to change my sport! You’re trying to take a stand against me!”

or

“You’re just jealous because you couldnt do it!!”

or

“Well they use bats in baseball and you wear shoes so its ok!”

or any other such nonsense.

Why dont you be more like your idol and not care when someone points out that a bench press with a shirt is different than a bench press without one?

126

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
fightingtiger wrote:
I personally think they should outlaw the use of such devices in golf. Whats next? Rocket propelled laser guided golf balls? Its the exact same thing when you think about it. We all know that this sort of Wil-e-coyote nonsense always comes to pass in time. We as non-golfers need to take a stand against the egregious abuse of performance enhancing golf balls in golf. I dont like professional golf that much. I tend to stick to the putt putt course at my local amusement park. Besides, Tiger Woods is on steroids.

Wow, lets be paranoid. Show me where ANY poster who has said they think bench shirts give an unrealistic advantage to lifters [b]tried to take a stand against bench shirts[b].

Who said people shouldnt be allowed to use them? Who said federations that use them should be disbanded? Who said anything, at all, like that?

Or are you just mad that they dont get all starry eyed and drool when they hear that someone bench pressed 1000+ pounds because they are aware that the same lifter wouldnt be able to do that within a few hundred pounds without a shirt?

Whats really funny is that you keep pointing out that the lifters know, and dont care.

So, I imagine, a lifters response would be “Yes I’m aware that I couldnt bench that much raw, but I’m ok with that.”

Not-

“Stop trying to change my sport! You’re trying to take a stand against me!”

or

“You’re just jealous because you couldnt do it!!”

or

“Well they use bats in baseball and you wear shoes so its ok!”

or any other such nonsense.

Why dont you be more like your idol and not care when someone points out that a bench press with a shirt is different than a bench press without one?[/quote]

No, the point is so many sports have changed from their beginnings, usually do to efforts of people in the sports. Golf has changed tremendously in regards to technology. no one cares about the purity of the game, but somehow bench shirts are a big deal.

They’re not a big deal to a non lifter because non lifters don’t care. It’s the internet gym want to see where I stand guys that seem to get so bent out of shape about shirts. It’s not like any of those guys could come close to Kennelly anyway.

Is it the same as a raw bench, no. But who cares. Just as I could give a crap about golf. But see what golfers would say if you took all their gadgets way and made them kick mid 1700s style.

As for teenagers, they’re morons. They get all starry eyed over a lot of crap.

127

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
He benched 1036 with a shirt and would probably bench 700-800 without. The shirt is responsible for a few hundred pounds. Is this untrue? No. So why do you get so upset when someone points it out?[/quote]

You’re conveniently forgetting about the lockout.

How often do you think someone trains solely a raw bench and then throws on a shirt and magically adds on a couple hundred pounds?

[b]And why all the bold fonts?

I HOPE THIS DOESN’T ESCALATE TO LARGE CAPS AS WELL[/b]

And as for golf, technology adding “inches”…please.

128

[quote]Ruggerlife wrote:
CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
He benched 1036 with a shirt and would probably bench 700-800 without. The shirt is responsible for a few hundred pounds. Is this untrue? No. So why do you get so upset when someone points it out?

You’re conveniently forgetting about the lockout.

How often do you think someone trains solely a raw bench and then throws on a shirt and magically adds on a couple hundred pounds?

[b]And why all the bold fonts?

I HOPE THIS DOESN’T ESCALATE TO LARGE CAPS AS WELL[/b]

And as for golf, technology adding “inches”…please.[/quote]

See the first sentence in bold? That was the only thing that was supposed to be in bold. I must have slipped with the bracket or forgot the / to end it.

I figured everyone would kind of understand that it was the result of a typo. I guess you lack that kind of basic understanding of the universe.

And I’m not “forgetting about the lockout”.

True or false: A bench shirt can add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

If false, argue that a bench shirt will not add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

If true, shut the fuck up.

129

[quote]tom63 wrote:
CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
fightingtiger wrote:
I personally think they should outlaw the use of such devices in golf. Whats next? Rocket propelled laser guided golf balls? Its the exact same thing when you think about it. We all know that this sort of Wil-e-coyote nonsense always comes to pass in time. We as non-golfers need to take a stand against the egregious abuse of performance enhancing golf balls in golf. I dont like professional golf that much. I tend to stick to the putt putt course at my local amusement park. Besides, Tiger Woods is on steroids.

Wow, lets be paranoid. Show me where ANY poster who has said they think bench shirts give an unrealistic advantage to lifters [b]tried to take a stand against bench shirts[b].

Who said people shouldnt be allowed to use them? Who said federations that use them should be disbanded? Who said anything, at all, like that?

Or are you just mad that they dont get all starry eyed and drool when they hear that someone bench pressed 1000+ pounds because they are aware that the same lifter wouldnt be able to do that within a few hundred pounds without a shirt?

Whats really funny is that you keep pointing out that the lifters know, and dont care.

So, I imagine, a lifters response would be “Yes I’m aware that I couldnt bench that much raw, but I’m ok with that.”

Not-

“Stop trying to change my sport! You’re trying to take a stand against me!”

or

“You’re just jealous because you couldnt do it!!”

or

“Well they use bats in baseball and you wear shoes so its ok!”

or any other such nonsense.

Why dont you be more like your idol and not care when someone points out that a bench press with a shirt is different than a bench press without one?

No, the point is so many sports have changed from their beginnings, usually do to efforts of people in the sports. Golf has changed tremendously in regards to technology. no one cares about the purity of the game, but somehow bench shirts are a big deal.

They’re not a big deal to a non lifter because non lifters don’t care. It’s the internet gym want to see where I stand guys that seem to get so bent out of shape about shirts. It’s not like any of those guys could come close to Kennelly anyway.

Is it the same as a raw bench, no. But who cares. Just as I could give a crap about golf. But see what golfers would say if you took all their gadgets way and made them kick mid 1700s style.

As for teenagers, they’re morons. They get all starry eyed over a lot of crap.

[/quote]

Wow you guys are bright. I figured it wouldnt be hard to understand that I didnt mean for most of the post to be in bold…

“Is it the same as a raw bench, no. But who cares.”

Everyone who gets all pissy when you say that a bench shirt is responsible for a few hundred pounds. Even though they admit its true, and the lifter admits it, if you point it out they get angry.

Or they say you’re “forgetting about the lockout”.

Keep in mind these are the same guys who would laugh at somebody having the bar deadlifted off their chest by a spotter, or the same guys who would laugh if someone said “I can squat XXX!”…when in reality they’re talking about a quarter squat.

Perhaps if I went to the gym and only “benched” the lockout, I could claim that number as my “bench”? I can just skip that whole difficult “bottom part of the lift” and say “Well… the shirt would take care of that!”

130

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

See the first sentence in bold? That was the only thing that was supposed to be in bold. I must have slipped with the bracket or forgot the / to end it.

I figured everyone would kind of understand that it was the result of a typo. I guess you lack that kind of basic understanding of the universe.[/quote]

You like to exaggerate don’t you.

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

And I’m not “forgetting about the lockout”.

True or false: A bench shirt can add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

If false, argue that a bench shirt will not add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.[/quote]

“Can”, sure for some of the top guys, for most I doubt it. The simplicity of your question also ignores the fact that this skill is a portion of the competition (depending on the federation).

Tell me, if learning to use a shirt only gave a 50lbs increase would you still have the same objections?

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
If true, shut the fuck up.[/quote]

I see you’ve gotten over your sensitivity complex from a few weeks back. However you still require practice to come up with witty and/or funny responses versus just rudeness. Keep trying, it’ll come.

131

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

Perhaps if I went to the gym and only “benched” the lockout, I could claim that number as my “bench”? I can just skip that whole difficult “bottom part of the lift” and say “Well… the shirt would take care of that!”

[/quote]

If you put on a shirt and touched, sure.

Alternatively, why not add a couple hundred pounds to your max go into the gym and try a 4 board press. Let us know how it goes.

(I’d recommend maybe use a power rack…you know just incase it’s not as simple as you think.)

132

This thread is absolutely golden.

Ruggerlife, all I can say is high 5. It’s nice to see people actually understand what goes into it.

133

[quote]Ruggerlife wrote:
True or false: A bench shirt can add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

If false, argue that a bench shirt will not add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

“Can”, sure for some of the top guys, for most I doubt it. The simplicity of your question also ignores the fact that this skill is a portion of the competition (depending on the federation).

Tell me, if learning to use a shirt only gave a 50lbs increase would you still have the same objections?

[/quote]

I dont see a single argument that a bench shirt cannot add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench, this creating an unrealistic expression of what the lifter can bench.

How many other events are in the competition are irrelevant. We’re talking about the bench press here.

No, I wouldnt have the same objections. Theres a vast difference between 50 pounds and 300 pounds. Would you call the same level of bullshit if my bench was 250 and I said it was 300 or if I said it was 550?

Why are you so uncomfortable with people not embracing bench shirts?

134

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

I dont see a single argument that a bench shirt cannot add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench, this creating an unrealistic expression of what the lifter can bench.

How many other events are in the competition are irrelevant. We’re talking about the bench press here.

No, I wouldnt have the same objections. Theres a vast difference between 50 pounds and 300 pounds. Would you call the same level of bullshit if my bench was 250 and I said it was 300 or if I said it was 550?

Why are you so uncomfortable with people not embracing bench shirts?
[/quote]

Why do you care if the expression is unrealistic?

Its not that we are uncomfortable with people not embracing them, but when a couple of fatass keyboard warriors get going on it, I think that we have at least a right to defend ourselves.

Would I care if bats were corked? No, because I dont care about baseball. I dont follow it nor do I support it by watching. I dont like baseball in general, so why would it bother me?

135

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
True or false: A bench shirt can add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

If false, argue that a bench shirt will not add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench.

Ruggerlife wrote:
“Can”, sure for some of the top guys, for most I doubt it. The simplicity of your question also ignores the fact that this skill is a portion of the competition (depending on the federation).

Tell me, if learning to use a shirt only gave a 50lbs increase would you still have the same objections?

CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
I dont see a single argument that a bench shirt cannot add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench, this creating an unrealistic expression of what the lifter can bench.

How many other events are in the competition are irrelevant. We’re talking about the bench press here.[/quote]

You seem to be missing the point. Yes, the shirt aids in the lift (nobody denies that). What you seem to have trouble grasping is that it still doesn’t do the work for you. You still have to hold the weight, you still have to control the weight and you still have to lock it out.

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
No, I wouldnt have the same objections. Theres a vast difference between 50 pounds and 300 pounds. [/quote]

So 50 Ok, what about 100? 150? Too much, 125?

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
Would you call the same level of bullshit if my bench was 250 and I said it was 300 or if I said it was 550? [/quote]

If you can put a shirt on and bench 400 (with a raw max of 250) I will give an honest “well done, congratulations”. I would be truly impressed. Hell since you don’t have a shirt, as I mentioned earlier, if you can 4 board press 400, I guarantee you’ll get plenty of props from around here.

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
Why are you so uncomfortable with people not embracing bench shirts?
[/quote]

What you embrace in the privacy of your own home is your business, I want no part of it.

I know, none of this is making any sense to you is it. How about this. Since I highly doubt you’ll follow up on my recommendation to go try a shirt.

How about this, go read up on some lifters reviews of their performances in competition. If you look at a number of the EliteFTS sponsored guys logs over on there site, check out the late March early April entries that would have the results from the last Arnold.

Read how they review themselves and you may not understand how the shirt works, but maybe, you will gain some insights into how the shirt adds new dimensions to the lift, for better and worse.

Good luck.

136

[quote]fightingtiger wrote:
CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

I dont see a single argument that a bench shirt cannot add hundreds of pounds to a lifters bench, this creating an unrealistic expression of what the lifter can bench.

How many other events are in the competition are irrelevant. We’re talking about the bench press here.

No, I wouldnt have the same objections. Theres a vast difference between 50 pounds and 300 pounds. Would you call the same level of bullshit if my bench was 250 and I said it was 300 or if I said it was 550?

Why are you so uncomfortable with people not embracing bench shirts?

Why do you care if the expression is unrealistic?

Its not that we are uncomfortable with people not embracing them, but when a couple of fatass keyboard warriors get going on it, I think that we have at least a right to defend ourselves.

Would I care if bats were corked? No, because I dont care about baseball. I dont follow it nor do I support it by watching. I dont like baseball in general, so why would it bother me?[/quote]

I care enough to casually voice an opinion on an internet forum. I’m not trying to change it or force anybody to bench raw or anything like that. Just stating a casual opinion. I’d have the same opinion of corked bats or anything else of the same nature. Its you guys who get paranoid that people are trying to start up some ridiculous movement to take away your precious bench shirts.

Why is it that the people who defend shirted benching cant just accept that some people support bench shirts and some dont?

Why is it that you guys MUST say something like “You are weak!/You are jealous!/You are a “fatass keyboard warrior”!”? Does making a personal attack give your position any more merit? Should I have to prove that I’m not fat in order to voice an opinion about bench shirts?

137

[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

Why are you so uncomfortable with people not embracing bench shirts?
[/quote]

OK, here’s a serious answer to this. And it’s my opinion only, I don’t speak for others.

I’m fine with people not liking bench shirts, or squat and deadlift suits. I’m ok with people having a problem with bodybuildings using less than a full range of motion. I really couldn’t care less.

There are lot’s of powerlifters that want nothing to due with bench shirts or other equipment, that’s why there are so many feds.

But when people strongly express their contempt for these sorts of things, and make no attempt to understand the underlying rationale for the use of the equipment and/or method, that’s ignorance. And I strongly object to ignorance.

138

[quote]Ruggerlife wrote:
CappedAndPlanIt wrote:

Why are you so uncomfortable with people not embracing bench shirts?

OK, here’s a serious answer to this. And it’s my opinion only, I don’t speak for others.

I’m fine with people not liking bench shirts, or squat and deadlift suits. I’m ok with people having a problem with bodybuildings using less than a full range of motion. I really couldn’t care less.

There are lot’s of powerlifters that want nothing to due with bench shirts or other equipment, that’s why there are so many feds.

But when people strongly express their contempt for these sorts of things, and make no attempt to understand the underlying rationale for the use of the equipment and/or method, that’s ignorance. And I strongly object to ignorance.[/quote]

There’s a signficant difference between not “embracing” bench shirts and runnning lifters who bench shirted down.

Just because YOU don’t like bench shirts doesn’t mean we’re trying to convert you. THe MAJOR problem is you don’t actually have any conception of what it takes to actually use a bench shirt and you assume it to be some magical aid which he lifter just has to wear to get 300lbs out of.

Bottom line is you don’t know what they are, you don’t what it feels like ot use one, you don’t know how hard the training is to get good carryover out of them (regardless of whether or not you’re board pressing you’re still using supra-maximal weights week in week out, not nice for your wrists, elbows and shoulders and instead of making a simple statement like “I’m not a fan of them”, you attempt to run down lifters who work themselves to breaking point to become good in a shirt.

THAT’s the problem. Not that you don’t like bench shirts. I couldn’t give a fuck if you do or not. Just don’t attempt to take pot shots at something you clearly don’t understand.

139

"But when people strongly express their contempt for these sorts of things, and make no attempt to understand the underlying rationale for the use of the equipment and/or method, that’s ignorance. And I strongly object to ignorance. "

Thats about the size of it. People express contempt at a sport etc and wonder why people get p***ed of!

140

Wow! This thread is still going on? an argument about the effectiveness of bench shirts by people who have never used a bench shirt? This is like me getting into an argument with my girlfriend about which tampons are better.

141

Wow. Shirted bench supporters sure are a sensitive bunch. And thats coming from me.

“This guy benched 1000 pounds!”
“Yeah, but he used a shirt, and those things help a lot…”
“OMG why do you have to belittle him like that you just dont understand you’re just jealous because you’re weak you fatass keyboard warrior how dare you put him down like that!!!11”

What really stands out, to me, is that you guys keep saying things like “Some people dont like bench shirts, thats ok, they have raw federations for that” … But as soon as someone says “I dont like bench shirts”… Suddenly they’re “trying to take a stand” and “angry because it makes their dick feel small” and “show contept for the sport”.