Bench Shirt Q

BiGgYmRaT · 12-20-2006, 06:49 PM

I have my first comp coming up Feb 3rd, and I've never used a bench shirt before. My friends said I would get murdered without a shirt. They told me most likely everyone there will be using one. How much exactly do they help? I'm wondering if its even worth spending the money, because i know my bench wont win it anyway. I'm pretty much going so I can deadlift

**Jayhawkk** · 12-20-2006, 06:59 PM

Shirts require training to use properly or you can go in and ruin your lifts or even hurt yourself. If you're competing then see if they have a raw event for bench. If they don't then you can still go in and see how well you do. You also have to get a shirt that meets the regulations of the event you're competing in. Don't buy one until you know what fed you're going to be under. imho anyways.

yazf909 · 12-21-2006, 03:40 AM

i have never heard of a bench shirt? is it just for competion?

**Jayhawkk** · 12-21-2006, 03:41 AM

You use them outside of comps but that's what people use em for, yeah.

**A.FreeRadical** · 12-21-2006, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Shirts require training to use properly or you can go in and ruin your lifts or even hurt yourself. If you're competing then see if they have a raw event for bench. If they don't then you can still go in and see how well you do. You also have to get a shirt that meets the regulations of the event you're competing in. Don't buy one until you know what fed you're going to be under. imho anyways.

What he said ^^^^

BiGgYmRaT, a shirt can put 20 to 40 lbs on your bench if you have the right shirt and know how to use it. I suggest you go raw if they have a raw event in your contest or find a contest that does. I believe that the American Power Lifting Association has a Raw Division. Their magazine is Powerlifting USA.

http://www.apa-wpa.com/

Whatever you do, good luck.

*

**Jayhawkk** · 12-21-2006, 04:23 AM

Once you're well trained there's people that get 300+ out of their shirts. I had to get this confirmed because I was under the impression it was on average 100-150 pounds. You'll also hear from people that can't get more than 20 pounds.

**DarkFalcon** · 12-21-2006, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Once you're well trained there's people that get 300+ out of their shirts. I had to get this confirmed because I was under the impression it was on average 100-150 pounds. You'll also hear from people that can't get more than 20 pounds.

Yep, I've seen much higher numbers shirted then without. Maybe 20-40 if at the low end but the big boys get big gains.

**Succio** · 12-22-2006, 11:13 PM

is a shirt required for teh comp your going to?

**Jayhawkk** · 12-22-2006, 11:49 PM

I don't think there are any comps where shirts are a must have but it can be like trying to compete as a bodybuilder without taking any type of hormone boosters.

**DJSTARER** · 12-23-2006, 09:27 PM

the above posts hit it solid.

The fact is, I wouldn't compete in a shirt unless you've had at LEAST 6 or 7 weeks of practice in one. Depending on what "type" of bencher you are, there are a variety of makes and models of shirts. Most powerlifters would say that with a good bench shirt and practice, you bench is as strong as your top 6 inches. That is, whatever you can lockout, is what your total bench will be. Most bench shirts counteract the weight at the beginning or bottom of the bench press. In many cases, if you get a tight or "competition" fit shirt, you cant even touch it to your chest unless there are 300+lbs of weight pressing down on it. I hope that gives you a good idea of how much helping resistance there is. Finding the groove in your shirt is essential, and having a shirt which is not put on properly can be extremely dangerous.

A better way to boost your total may be through the use of a squat suit. I know, just from dicking around in a loose one, i can increase my squat by 10% or more. If you have a super tight one, you'd be suprised how much it can help your dead. I saw a kid who's max dead was 420 raw pull 501 in a squat suit.

PLing equipment is whole new world. Just make sure you are training with someone who know how to put it on and how to spot you properly.

Get er Done · 12-25-2006, 05:56 AM

I got a titan fury that is two sizes big for me and i have a hell of a time trying the get that sucker to touch. but when i do hit that sweet spot i get 30-40lbs out of it. I have only had it a month. My lockout power and form needs work. I can tell you that you will need 3 major things if your going to compete in a shirt.

1. A training partner or two(two being better)
2. Form and technique(without it your going no where)
3. Lockout power and lots of it. I'm talking 4-6 board presses,maybe 3 too

**DJSTARER** · 12-25-2006, 03:49 PM

^ word.

i forgot about the need for training partners. Def a must. YOu can't get the shirt on, let alone without wrinkles yourself. Not to mention 1 person to lift the bar off the rack, and two spotters on each side. Maybe even one more do to an "press" and "Up" call or hold a board in place.

Get er Done · 12-25-2006, 08:45 PM

This will help with putting on the shirt.
http://www.liftinglarge.com/getting_the_most_o.htm

12-20-2006, 06:49 PM	#1
BiGgYmRaT Pro Stature Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: WA Posts: 115 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Bench Shirt Q I have my first comp coming up Feb 3rd, and I've never used a bench shirt before. My friends said I would get murdered without a shirt. They told me most likely everyone there will be using one. How much exactly do they help? I'm wondering if its even worth spending the money, because i know my bench wont win it anyway. I'm pretty much going so I can deadlift __________________ Proud Member of the Quarter Ton Deadlift Club Powerbuilders dont sweat...WE BLEED! Pain is weakness leaving the body! Work Hard Play Hard! Go Heavy or Go Home!

12-20-2006, 06:59 PM	#2
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Shirts require training to use properly or you can go in and ruin your lifts or even hurt yourself. If you're competing then see if they have a raw event for bench. If they don't then you can still go in and see how well you do. You also have to get a shirt that meets the regulations of the event you're competing in. Don't buy one until you know what fed you're going to be under. imho anyways. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

12-21-2006, 03:41 AM	#4
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	You use them outside of comps but that's what people use em for, yeah. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

12-21-2006, 04:23 AM	#6
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Once you're well trained there's people that get 300+ out of their shirts. I had to get this confirmed because I was under the impression it was on average 100-150 pounds. You'll also hear from people that can't get more than 20 pounds. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

12-22-2006, 11:13 PM	#8
Succio IronMass Sponsor Join Date: May 2006 Location: beastville Posts: 1,938 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 95	is a shirt required for teh comp your going to? __________________ SUPPLEMENTS.NET REP

12-21-2006, 03:40 AM	#3
yazf909 Pro Stature Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 340 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 7	i have never heard of a bench shirt? is it just for competion?

12-22-2006, 11:49 PM	#9
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	I don't think there are any comps where shirts are a must have but it can be like trying to compete as a bodybuilder without taking any type of hormone boosters. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

12-23-2006, 09:27 PM	#10
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 3,979 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 113	the above posts hit it solid. The fact is, I wouldn't compete in a shirt unless you've had at LEAST 6 or 7 weeks of practice in one. Depending on what "type" of bencher you are, there are a variety of makes and models of shirts. Most powerlifters would say that with a good bench shirt and practice, you bench is as strong as your top 6 inches. That is, whatever you can lockout, is what your total bench will be. Most bench shirts counteract the weight at the beginning or bottom of the bench press. In many cases, if you get a tight or "competition" fit shirt, you cant even touch it to your chest unless there are 300+lbs of weight pressing down on it. I hope that gives you a good idea of how much helping resistance there is. Finding the groove in your shirt is essential, and having a shirt which is not put on properly can be extremely dangerous. A better way to boost your total may be through the use of a squat suit. I know, just from dicking around in a loose one, i can increase my squat by 10% or more. If you have a super tight one, you'd be suprised how much it can help your dead. I saw a kid who's max dead was 420 raw pull 501 in a squat suit. PLing equipment is whole new world. Just make sure you are training with someone who know how to put it on and how to spot you properly. __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

12-25-2006, 05:56 AM	#11
Get er Done Pro Stature Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 169 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	I got a titan fury that is two sizes big for me and i have a hell of a time trying the get that sucker to touch. but when i do hit that sweet spot i get 30-40lbs out of it. I have only had it a month. My lockout power and form needs work. I can tell you that you will need 3 major things if your going to compete in a shirt. 1. A training partner or two(two being better) 2. Form and technique(without it your going no where) 3. Lockout power and lots of it. I'm talking 4-6 board presses,maybe 3 too

12-25-2006, 03:49 PM	#12
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 3,979 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 113	^ word. i forgot about the need for training partners. Def a must. YOu can't get the shirt on, let alone without wrinkles yourself. Not to mention 1 person to lift the bar off the rack, and two spotters on each side. Maybe even one more do to an "press" and "Up" call or hold a board in place. __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

12-25-2006, 08:45 PM	#13
Get er Done Pro Stature Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 169 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	This will help with putting on the shirt. http://www.liftinglarge.com/getting_the_most_o.htm

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