Posted by BRUTE on January 19, 1997 at 17:45:04:
Hey folks, I just got back from a Benchpress contest. I didnt do too bad, I opened up with 380, it was a little bit of a struggle. Then I jumped to 410 and only got it half way, I tried 410 again and this time got within a couple of inches, but again no lift. So I wound up with 380. This is a far cry from my personal record of 425 last June. But, Im not dissapointed because I chanched my form a few weeks ago and havent really had time to adjust. I used to drive the bar back to my head when I benched. However, I have resently learned that this causes alot of unnecessary (and dangerous) shoulder rotation and Pec strain. So Instead I have been driving the bar straight up, maybe even to my feet a little. I can already tell that this is helping due to the fact that this is the first contest that I have not hurt my chest where it ties into the arms ( I call them pec inserts, im speaking of the tendons under your armpit where the chest ties in. This method of Benching has made my lockouts a pain in the ass though. Ah well, Ill get used to it. Well folks, I want to bench over 500, preferably this year, any Advice. THANX BRUTE
p.s. I LOVE POWERLIFTING!!!