I used a decently tight shirt yesterday for the first time. I see know that the shirt I used in a comp 5 years ago that I thought was pretty tight WAS NOT. Anyways It is a katana, might even be a super katana. I bought it used off of a friend. Anyone have any tips on how to get weight to touch? I read that some people find the groove of the shirt, then almost pull the bar to their chest when it gets close. Is that normal, or do you just use a weight that will get to your chest on its own? It is obvious that I need to be very aggressive while benching equipped. I was also told to bring myself to the bar while doing a negative. This was very difficult for me since I seem to get zero arch with a shirt on. Anyways any feedback would be great!
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The way to Jordan's heart, is through his left ventricle.
Breaking in a Katanna is a bitch! I think we had a thread awhile ago talking about it. To attempt to answer your questions:
1) Yes, you need to actively pull the bar to your chest the last few inches. This is normal and takes some getting used to.
2) Maintaining the arch is hard, yes, but keeping the shoulders pulled down and back and bringing your bar to chest is essential. It just takes practice and time. Don't despair!
I've also found that moving slow is not a good thing. I let the bar move pretty quickly(not like a free fall but more of a fast reverse row) then start pulling my chest to the bar aggressively to my chest when it hits that point of resistance.
These little details about gear and the stress it puts on your body is what people who have never used gear don't understand. This is a little side rant(sorry) but I find gear work MUCH harder and more stressful than raw training. You also have to be stronger to withstand heavier weights, which is why NO ONE can just put on gear and be a champion lifter.
I bench in an F6, but the idea is the same, belly up to get that last inch. Even if you don't belly bench or have much of a belly at all this will bring your torso up to meet the bar.
I really try to think of "rowing" the bar, which entails really contracting the back muscles and pulling the scaps together while bringing the sternum to the bar, but yeah, same idea, same goal. Good stuff.
Haha I really hate bench shirt crap. Sounds fun having to "row" the bar to get it to touch. Thyat does really make sense though. I was trying to resist the weight since the weight felt overwhelming in my hands. The closer it got to my chest the harder I resisted it. I am going to try to do faster negatives my next time around. Thanks guys.
__________________
The way to Jordan's heart, is through his left ventricle.
Haha I really hate bench shirt crap. Sounds fun having to "row" the bar to get it to touch. Thyat does really make sense though. I was trying to resist the weight since the weight felt overwhelming in my hands. The closer it got to my chest the harder I resisted it. I am going to try to do faster negatives my next time around. Thanks guys.
If you dont like it, dont bother doing it! Do it raw, dont have to train equipped. And personally find equipped lifting more fun than raw :)
Grip the bar hard, wide spacing, 2nd finger on the ring usually. if its harder at the bottom thats where you get your spring, maybe add more weight? just force it down, you will be fine, good luck, super katana is a good shirt
Haha I really hate bench shirt crap. Sounds fun having to "row" the bar to get it to touch. Thyat does really make sense though. I was trying to resist the weight since the weight felt overwhelming in my hands. The closer it got to my chest the harder I resisted it. I am going to try to do faster negatives my next time around. Thanks guys.
Yeah, don't resist the bar bring it down quick, but under control. It will save energy on the eccentric portion for the last bit of "rowing".
Ok I will try that. I talked to an IPF bench world record holder, and he told me to NEVER pull the weight in. AHHHH I dont know what the think. Haha. Yeah I am going to lower the weight fast and try it out. That makes the most sense. Thanks guys.
__________________
The way to Jordan's heart, is through his left ventricle.
