I gotta ask - the shirted bench...

[BigRonWannabee]

Ok guys I been around a long time, I have many powerlifting friends who own and use shirts. I understand the fact that in competative powerlifting, its just a fact of life.

However, why in the world do some of you fellas train with shirts - for those of you who do not compete. Now Im not singling anyone out and please dont get offended, this is a freindly question. Im genuinly curious why someone would buy and train in a shirt...for what purpose? The whole concept is borderline ridiculous to me, the mechanical advantage aspect is kinda - well it is what it is. Then you have the cost aspect.

The only reason I can figure is that a shirt presents its own world of difficulties, and needs to be mastered in itself. Obviously the shirted bench is an art, but how did it get so damn silly - double ply denim? Might as well strap some springs on your chest!

 

[Insane_Man]

I would assume it's the mental feeling of putting up more weight. Also you can see where you stand next to guys who do compete.


But I don't do it. I actually did consider getting a loose shirt just solely to relieve my shoulder problems and allow me to actually bench, but I'm gonna try and focus on rehab for now. Plus my bench sucks anyways as I haven't done them regualrly basically since I've been lifting seriously.

 

[jcp2]

I wouldnt even entertain the idea of using a shirt if i was not going to compete. But that is me.

 

[Who is Mike Jones?]

Ok guys I been around a long time, I have many powerlifting friends who own and use shirts. I understand the fact that in competative powerlifting, its just a fact of life.

However, why in the world do some of you fellas train with shirts - for those of you who do not compete. Now Im not singling anyone out and please dont get offended, this is a freindly question. Im genuinly curious why someone would buy and train in a shirt...for what purpose? The whole concept is borderline ridiculous to me, the mechanical advantage aspect is kinda - well it is what it is. Then you have the cost aspect.

The only reason I can figure is that a shirt presents its own world of difficulties, and needs to be mastered in itself. Obviously the shirted bench is an art, but how did it get so damn silly - double ply denim? Might as well strap some springs on your chest!

I had the same question but never thought to ask it. I'm in the same boat

 

[roccodart440]

Cosigns.

If you want to get a similar effect use boards now and again.

 

[Ponderosa]

Why does this one Indian (like from the country of India, idiot) cat at my gym wear a bandana and sun glasses during his workout? He's about 6', 125lbs and hairy. Why the friggin glasses if he's not competing for a fag popularity competition?

 

[roccodart440]

Why the friggin glasses if he's not competing for a fag popularity competition?

How do you know he isn't?

 

[B.Reel]

Ok guys I been around a long time, I have many powerlifting friends who own and use shirts. I understand the fact that in competative powerlifting, its just a fact of life.
!

To hold in the he-tits and saddle bags =0

 

[roccodart440]

Looks like that girl in your avitr dosn't need much chest support.

 

[B.Reel]

Looks like that girl in your avitr dosn't need much chest support.

Naaaaaaa, but you should see that ass!!!

 

[Vegas]

Keep this thread on topic guys. Cut the bullshit.

I wouldnt even entertain the idea of using a shirt if i was not going to compete.

Me neither. Since I have taken my hiatus from competitions I have never trained with a shirt. I actually saw it as a benefit since I absolutely hated stretching that fucking thing on me and having it cut into me as I lifted. I was happy to see it go.

 

[pretty ricky]

i got bum shoulders and was told by a guy who knows his stuff that a loose shirt can actually help people with bad shoulders to bench.i haven't yet tried it.still i would not use it if i was not competing assisted.which i soon hope to be!

 

[lilboy2]

Ok guys I been around a long time, I have many powerlifting friends who own and use shirts. I understand the fact that in competative powerlifting, its just a fact of life.

However, why in the world do some of you fellas train with shirts - for those of you who do not compete. Now Im not singling anyone out and please dont get offended, this is a freindly question. Im genuinly curious why someone would buy and train in a shirt...for what purpose? The whole concept is borderline ridiculous to me, the mechanical advantage aspect is kinda - well it is what it is. Then you have the cost aspect.

The only reason I can figure is that a shirt presents its own world of difficulties, and needs to be mastered in itself. Obviously the shirted bench is an art, but how did it get so damn silly - double ply denim? Might as well strap some springs on your chest!

Douge,,, don't take offense to this, but dont you squat with a suite on?.. isn't that the same idea?

 

[ManOfMuscle]

I don't think I'll ever touch one and I will probably compete at some point. It seems like most people don't even consider raw benching as a possiblity when competing.

 

[Deep-Squats]

Why does this one Indian (like from the country of India, idiot) cat at my gym wear a bandana and sun glasses during his workout? He's about 6', 125lbs and hairy. Why the friggin glasses if he's not competing for a fag popularity competition?

Maybe he is Nasser Al-Sonbaty's younger brother man. Does he also wear really short cut off denim shorts, and army boots with all the laces undone also?

 

[blackbeard]

Keep this thread on topic guys. Cut the bullshit.



Me neither. Since I have taken my hiatus from competitions I have never trained with a shirt. I actually saw it as a benefit since I absolutely hated stretching that fucking thing on me and having it cut into me as I lifted. I was happy to see it go.

on topic? how bout the recycle bin?

 

[roccodart440]

It seems like most people don't even consider raw benching as a possiblity when competing.

SO true

3 reasons fo rthat.

#1) Most people aren't good at it
#2) It actually requires more stregth than skill
#3) It make for a shirt lived lifter. Raw benching is harder on the shoulders. Much harder.

 

[blackbeard]

It seems like most people don't even consider raw benching as a possiblity when competing.

errr why would you bench raw when your fellow competitors are wearing shirts???

nothing wrong with raw benching but MOST people bench more with a shirt so why give up edge???

 

[roccodart440]

errr why would you bench raw when your fellow competitors are wearing shirts???

nothing wrong with raw benching but MOST people bench more with a shirt so why give up edge???

If you go raw you are in a different class for instance APF raw or AAPFraw. No edge is given up unless they do not offer a raw division at your meet. I competed raw in my last meet and won 1st place. Their was a shirted guy who one this class as well.

Interrstingy enough there was a guy at that meet that hit 500 with his shirt . I can do 5 reps with his best raw single.

Shirts require alot of technique and then you can factor in the guys ewith the tricked out shirts. I.e. guys with towels sown into their shirts or one sibgle ply sewn to another or tremendously over bridge stitched or how about the tiny meeker shirt. I'd affectionitly call it the sling shot shirt as his hands literally need to be pryed from the forward croseed position and placed on the bar.

If you egt into this game you'll know the guys i'm speaking of. They are the ones with qualifying lifts in federations you've nevger heard of or alledgedyly sanctioned meets that no one goes to. They are also the ones that suprisingly get no invites to invitations such as bench america or the arnold despite the fact that they have hit a qualifying lift in an aleged sanctioned meet.

I find shirts to be something that has been abused but a fact that we must deal with. It's part of the sport and we must eigther lean the art or go home.

-roc

 

[BigRonWannabee]

Douge,,, don't take offense to this, but dont you squat with a suite on?.. isn't that the same idea?

Ive worn breifs in the past for support, no longer us em though. Ive never used or owned a suit. I mean Im all for big numbers but in the end I dont walk around with my numbers on my forehead. Unless you compete all they good for is bragging rights really, dont mean much more than that.