Bad habit when benching?

cranny · 10-07-2008, 08:24 AM

I've noticed when I bench(flat) as I bring the weight down I lift my head up off the bench and then back down as I'm pressing. Don't know why I do it, just do. Should I stop doing this for potential injury and/or safety?

Big Sky Guy · 10-07-2008, 10:15 AM

It is a natural response to lift the head to tighten the traps and stabilize the neck through transition at the bottom of the lift. I have never heard that it has the potential to increase chances of injury.

Evidence · 10-07-2008, 11:02 AM

Maybe our geared powerlifters can provide insight on this as I've seen numerous meets where guys will be pulling the bar to the belly and their head is lifting as the bar is lowering. I've often questioned that if it's due to heavy loads or the motion you have to fulfill with the shirt? Many different opinions as it may just be preference. I feel you can tighten your traps and stay tight without lifting your head. Good friend of mine just competed in a PLUSA meet in new york this past saturday and said he didn't know untill a half hour before his bench that you weren't allowed to lift your head at any portion of the lift or get on the balls of your feet during the lift. He said they cited the head lift as for "safety" reasons. He's done meets now for a few years and said he never heard of anyone referring to lifting their head off the bench unsafe, but you at least have to entertain the idea. I'm sure you'll get more info here as our pl's chime in.

RagingBull666 · 10-07-2008, 11:39 AM

Shirted benchers lift their head as the bar descends to allow the weight to touch. It rolls you off your traps a bit, let's the shoulders roll forward and BAM you touch. Then on the reverse you slam your head back to start the momentum and press it out.

Raising your head without a shirt makes no sense. It doesn't do much for the lift. It is not a safety risk and you're not going to get hurt by doing it. If it doesn't bother you don't worry about it. If it bothers you don't do it. SS, RB

Pan · 10-07-2008, 02:52 PM

I've started doing that too. I never used to, I had a lay off from bench pressing for about 8 months and when I started again I found myself doing it occasionally. My best friend always used to do it when he lifted. He also used to have 'crazy legs' where it would look like he was doing a jig whenever he was benching - his legs would flail around as he started to struggle. Hilarious to watch, shameful though lol

10-07-2008, 08:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
cranny Runs with scissors Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Testville Posts: 1,277 Rep Power: 160336	Bad habit when benching? I've noticed when I bench(flat) as I bring the weight down I lift my head up off the bench and then back down as I'm pressing. Don't know why I do it, just do. Should I stop doing this for potential injury and/or safety? __________________ Whether people think they can or they can't, they're usually right. The first and best victory is to conquer self. To be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.

10-07-2008, 11:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Evidence Америка взяла мое золото Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,264 Rep Power: 76023	Maybe our geared powerlifters can provide insight on this as I've seen numerous meets where guys will be pulling the bar to the belly and their head is lifting as the bar is lowering. I've often questioned that if it's due to heavy loads or the motion you have to fulfill with the shirt? Many different opinions as it may just be preference. I feel you can tighten your traps and stay tight without lifting your head. Good friend of mine just competed in a PLUSA meet in new york this past saturday and said he didn't know untill a half hour before his bench that you weren't allowed to lift your head at any portion of the lift or get on the balls of your feet during the lift. He said they cited the head lift as for "safety" reasons. He's done meets now for a few years and said he never heard of anyone referring to lifting their head off the bench unsafe, but you at least have to entertain the idea. I'm sure you'll get more info here as our pl's chime in. __________________ "You can't beat Canada. It's like USA Lite."- Therealj

10-07-2008, 11:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
RagingBull666 I'm an Epic Asshole Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Peoria and Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,680 Rep Power: 271380	Shirted benchers lift their head as the bar descends to allow the weight to touch. It rolls you off your traps a bit, let's the shoulders roll forward and BAM you touch. Then on the reverse you slam your head back to start the momentum and press it out. Raising your head without a shirt makes no sense. It doesn't do much for the lift. It is not a safety risk and you're not going to get hurt by doing it. If it doesn't bother you don't worry about it. If it bothers you don't do it. SS, RB __________________ Try not Do or do not There is no try Yoda That which does not kill us makes us STRONGER - Friedrich Nietzsche "So what we'll be calling on is blunt force trauma. Let's start building some hurtin bombs." Rocky www.azapf.com http://www.prowriststraps.com/store http://www.andersonpowerlifting.com http://www.prowriststraps.com/jr_bol...n_powerlifting

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10-07-2008, 10:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Big Sky Guy Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: MT Posts: 2,691 Rep Power: 311493	It is a natural response to lift the head to tighten the traps and stabilize the neck through transition at the bottom of the lift. I have never heard that it has the potential to increase chances of injury.

10-07-2008, 02:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pan Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 297 Rep Power: 45703	I've started doing that too. I never used to, I had a lay off from bench pressing for about 8 months and when I started again I found myself doing it occasionally. My best friend always used to do it when he lifted. He also used to have 'crazy legs' where it would look like he was doing a jig whenever he was benching - his legs would flail around as he started to struggle. Hilarious to watch, shameful though lol