Jump to content

Bench Press Shirts


Recommended Posts

In no way is it a reflection of a person's bench press strength as the shirt adds about 30% to what they would usually be able to do.

Is this from personal experience, or have you seen someone get a 60kg carry over, from a 200kg raw?

Because I know all the lifters in NZ would love to get that carry over.

OB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In no way is it a reflection of a person's bench press strength as the shirt adds about 30% to what they would usually be able to do.

Is this from personal experience, or have you seen someone get a 60kg carry over, from a 200kg raw?

Because I know all the lifters in NZ would love to get that carry over.

OB

Ok, I may have exagerrated a bit.... But you get my point right?

Its giving the lifter assistance on a lift he would be unable to achieve by himself.... Its like someone putting 4 plates on each side and getting 3 spotters to help him lift it and then claiming he can do 405....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello NZMM :D

I used to had a simillar "out look" on lifting gear.... untill I started to wear it my self. Now I know that, it changes the game a lot and its not an easy

20 or so kgs that I instantly get on my bench. I have to work for it just as hard as ever ...

How about looking at it this way:

I am not sure who the current 100m sprint champion is but I doubt he could run 100m just as fast in a pair of Chuck taylors. So if he is faster in his special sprinting shoe which is light as and has spikes for enhanced grip... how fast he really is ? :wink:

Just my 2 cents

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People are competitive, bigger numbers sound more impressive. The playing field is even since everyone uses them, but they are performance enhancing nonetheless thats not to say they arnt hard to use. I don't think its a true test of strength when they are used just an effort to push larger numbers for the crowds and record books. Same thing goes for all sports these days though everyones using anything to add that little bit more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can someone tell me what is the point of allowing these to be used in competitions and so forth?

In no way is it a reflection of a person's bench press strength as the shirt adds about 30% to what they would usually be able to do.

Much the same as Olympic swimmers using swim caps and swim suits, ironman athletes wearing wetsuits, cyclists wearing aerodynamic helmets, marathon runners wearing running shoes, rugby players wearing sprigs, american football players wearing gloves, baseball players using baseball mitts, bodybuilding competitors wearing faketan, windsurfers using harnesses, boxers wearing boxing gloves, weightlifters using chalk. They all enhance the users performance in their various ways. Where do you draw the line?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In no way is it a reflection of a person's bench press strength as the shirt adds about 30% to what they would usually be able to do.

Is this from personal experience, or have you seen someone get a 60kg carry over, from a 200kg raw?

Because I know all the lifters in NZ would love to get that carry over.

OB

Hold on a sec, what are you saying?

I though you put on a shirt and instantly got 100kgs on your bench press... :pfft:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As much as I dislike bench shirts, the original reason they came in was to help protect the lifters shoulders. Unfortunately they have since spiralled out of control. Personally I wish powerlifting was just raw lifting with knee wraps included, but it isn't. Things evolve in sports and the double ply shirts available in some overseas federations are a result of this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It could have something physcological to do with wearing a bench shirt, causing you to think im wearing equipment im stronger hence you lift greater due to a belief inside you? Just a idea.

wat are u snorting? :pfft:

we are talking about 300lbs not 3lbs

Haha, if this was bb.com I'd give you reps.

Doesn't matter how strong you are, you can get any raw bench to touch your chest. With a shirt some guys have to pull the bar down for it to touch their chest. I've offloaded 200kg benches where the guy couldn't get it less than 6 inches off his chest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can someone tell me what is the point of allowing these to be used in competitions and so forth?

In no way is it a reflection of a person's bench press strength as the shirt adds about 30% to what they would usually be able to do.

The shirts were brought in back in the mid eighties, firstly to allow injured lifters to train during rehab but eventually made it onto the platform as official lifting equipment thanks to a very persuasive apparel designer. The design of the shirts has changed dramatically to the point now that to not wear one in a compeition would be a huge disadvantage.

In the IPF (NZPF are part of this world body) they have regulations on the bench press shirts and they limited to single ply polyester yet the design of these shirts is such that they can add anything from 15-40% to a RAW 1RM (In some cases more). With other feds like IPA, WPO, WPC they allow for extra layers of polyester and other materials like canvas/denim and the % increases on a RAW max can be more again.

Personally, I prefer to bench RAW because it is a true indication of ones strength as stated earlier in this thread. However to bench big in a shirt, one must still be able to handle the weight and complete the lift under competition rules and that is - Unracking the bar and holding it at complete lockout and control, then you get a "START" command from the head ref. Bring the bar to the chest, pause it (without letting it sink into the chest). Then you get the "PRESS" command (usually after 1-2sec) and drive the bar up to complete lockout and only when the bar is locked out and controlled get the "RACK" command to place back on racks.

I bench in a single poly shirt as I am a NZPF member. At the most I get 13% on my RAW 1RM. Usually when I am asked "how much can I bench?" I answer what I can do RAW first, the follow it up with my shirt bench max.

Here are some stats on the biggest benchers:

- No limit shirt specs/non drug tested: 470kg (1036lbs) Ryan Kennelly (WPC)

- Non drug tested RAW WR: 324.3kg (715lbs) Scott Mendelson

- IPF World Record SHW class: 345.5kg (762lbs) Fedrik Svensson

- IPF RAW bench WR: 322.5kg (711lbs) James Henderson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can someone tell me what is the point of allowing these to be used in competitions and so forth?

In no way is it a reflection of a person's bench press strength as the shirt adds about 30% to what they would usually be able to do.

I bench in a single poly shirt as I am a NZPF member. At the most I get 13% on my RAW 1RM. Usually when I am asked "how much can I bench?" I answer what I can do RAW first, the follow it up with my shirt bench max.

Hey T,

Long time no Hear Bro,

Good post to.

I had to get the calculator out on the 13% it did not sound right :nod: It would have been a little bit more, but you just missed the lockout, on your last lift of 307.5kgs at the NZ Bench Nationals the other week 27/10/2007.

Not that I mind Bro as The House still holds NZs Biggest Competition Bench by you my friend of

305kgs or 671lb

Mind you the way you are going, it will go at the Commonwealth Championships in December I would prefer the BledisBro at The House myself a week later. :pfft:

OB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey T,

Long time no Hear Bro,

Good post to.

I had to get the calculator out on the 13% it did not sound right :nod: It would have been a little bit more, but you just missed the lockout, on your last lift of 307.5kgs at the NZ Bench Nationals the other week 27/10/2007.

Not that I mind Bro as The House still holds NZs Biggest Competition Bench by you my friend of

305kgs or 671lb

Mind you the way you are going, it will go at the Commonwealth Championships in December I would prefer the BledisBro at The House myself a week later. :pfft:

OB

Hey OB, will give it a nudge at the Commonwealths but will save it up for the Powerhouse Open on the 15/12!! Definetly looking forward to it bro!

The 13% sounds about right - RAW best is 265kg (back in 2003).

Is that the NZ bench record OB?

Yes P_n_W that is the 125kg+ NZ bench press record - 305kg set back in 2005. Over the last few years I have had a few shoulder injuries due to heavy squats but fingers crossed moved on from them now. My goals are to do 700lbs (318kg+) in a shirt and 600lbs (272.5kg) RAW.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey OB, will give it a nudge at the Commonwealths but will save it up for the Powerhouse Open on the 15/12!! Definetly looking forward to it bro!

The 13% sounds about right - RAW best is 265kg (back in 2003).

My goals are to do 700lbs (318kg+) in a shirt and 600lbs (272.5kg) RAW.

Good Stuff T, not long now to the Commonwealths, and the BledisBro training is looking good.

Is that the NZ bench record OB?

It flew up that day PnW.

Here is a vid of T doing 292.5kgs

OB 8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...


  • Popular Contributors

    Nobody has received reputation this week.

×
×
  • Create New...