Regarding your bench, it looks like you’re relying too much on technique and not enough on strength. The exaggerated arch, the crazy foot tuck, etc… look at the way you flatten out on that 8th rep. Honestly, I’d lighten up some and find a less exaggerated set up and find a balance between muscle and movement, and be patient. And, despite how you’ve stated you feel, you HAVE made good progress. You’re obviously passionate about training, bud. No need to try and rush everything. Enjoy the ride.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Regarding your bench, it looks like you’re relying too much on technique and not enough on strength. The exaggerated arch, the crazy foot tuck, etc… look at the way you flatten out on that 8th rep. Honestly, I’d lighten up some and find a less exaggerated set up and find a balance between muscle and movement, and be patient. And, despite how you’ve stated you feel, you HAVE made good progress. You’re obviously passionate about training, bud. No need to try and rush everything. Enjoy the ride.[/quote]
I like this. I think I’ve had a similar experience to Spidey in regards to my bench, and I tend to over-examine my form, focus on technique, etc. when really just building muscle and getting stronger on my rep work and assistance helps me more than anything. Bench can very frustrating no doubt.
[quote]kollak95 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Regarding your bench, it looks like you’re relying too much on technique and not enough on strength. The exaggerated arch, the crazy foot tuck, etc… look at the way you flatten out on that 8th rep. Honestly, I’d lighten up some and find a less exaggerated set up and find a balance between muscle and movement, and be patient. And, despite how you’ve stated you feel, you HAVE made good progress. You’re obviously passionate about training, bud. No need to try and rush everything. Enjoy the ride.[/quote]
I like this. I think I’ve had a similar experience to Spidey in regards to my bench, and I tend to over-examine my form, focus on technique, etc. when really just building muscle and getting stronger on my rep work and assistance helps me more than anything. Bench can very frustrating no doubt.[/quote]
Thanks for the support guys, it really does mean a lot.
I know a big part of my lack of Bench strength is the muscles involved (chest and tris) are some of my weakest body parts, so I definitely want whatever I’m doing to be working them. And the way I came around to this set-up was exactly what ya’ll said, just find something ‘easy’ that doesn’t take a lot of guess work so I can concentrate not on form but just getting stronger.
The feet tuck is because no matter what I did, with feet flat my knees are always higher than my hips (really long legs). So no matter when I was Benching, all I was every focused on was my ass popping off the bench. This basically took that out of the equation.
The high arch actually isn’t as high as I can go. lol. I actually use that much arch because I’ve dislocated my shoulder a few times, so the bottom ROM on most pressing is kind of sketchy for me (you’ll notice on my CG Incline vids I stop just short of my chest). I even start my OHP’ing from a ‘floating’ position. So with a flatter back, my ROM was nuts, and I’d either 1) start getting shoulder discomfort when pressing or 2) I’d stop a few inches above my chest, and was always worried about making that ‘consistent’ and afraid I was cutting it short. I realized I had success with Decline pressing, so I decided a bit of an arch would solve this. Like look how even with a big arch my elbows go below the Bench pad, my ROM kind of stupid. So I’ve kind of stumbled upon this set-up as a way to STOP worrying about technique, I can just lock myself in a rep away.
I do incorporate non-arched Benching in my routine, and have been doing mobility work on the area for a year plus now, and while the bottom ROM is better, it’s never probably going to be ‘sturdy’ with my shoulder when venturing into PR territory. If ya’ll have a form I could emulate, like post a video, preferably of someone kind of built like me maybe. I’m always open to changing things, just know this is the form I’ve found with the ‘least’ guess work.
Squats
Back Squats: Videoed third set. Form wasn’t perfect, but this was hard. lol. It snowed a lot here, so getting warm and loose in my garage was difficult. You can see as the sets progress, I get more comfortable going lower. Also, Quads have atrophied a ton since not having more BB’ing work lol
300x3x8
255x2x8 (beltless)
Front Squats: Fuck me. Wanted 2x8, but goddamn bar kept choking me out mid-set, idk what I’m doing set-up wise incorrectly
215x3x6
Chins, Abs, Rear Delts
Solid day, made me feel a bit better have the Benching lol
Talked to Pat, going to move Bench day to after Squat day, so that my upper back isn’t tore up fro DL’s the day before, see if that helps a bit.
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
Squats
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Nice squatting dude. Love the '70’s shorts (just jealous really).
Can you remind me what shoes you are wearing? You suggested I get some WL shoes and I just found out my company provides a wellness benefit that should cover the cost of either the Romaleos or Adipowers.
Cheers,
Needa
Sick squats Getting it done