Thumbs IN or OUT when benching?

[bronx_brawla]

greetings all,

yeah iv been away for awhile...
and theres been a question on my mind for a long time now.

I'v been benching for years. And Most people have told me to have a standard position grip on the bar when benching. (four fingers in, thumb around and away)

but im always seeing guys at the gym from time to time...with their thumbs facing themselves. And iv tried it that way sometimes. And it duzzent seem like theres a difference in my bench.
I'v always stayed with the standard way...being that its safer. I dont need the fcukkin bar rolling off my palms and caving my chest in. lol

So does it really make a difference?
thanks in advance.

 

[Vegas]

It should not make a difference in the amount you can lift. Like you said, wrapping your thumb around the bar is much safer, as well you can squeeze the bar while lifting. This should definitely improve your form/comfort/safety as well.

 

[PowerBuilder]

I like to have my thumbs on the same side as my fingers. People always tell me it is dangerous but it feels better for me to have them NOT wrapped around. I never felt like the bar was going to slide off. Is it really that dangerous?

 

[Vegas]

Is it really that dangerous?

Only if you drop it.

But seriously, most powerlifting feds won't let you lift unless your thumb is wrapped around the bar.

 

[pullinbig]

apf and wpo alow thumbless grip. i seen guys drop the weight using thumbs around benching. a guy at the 02 nattys broke one of his thumbs doing this.

if a big weight gets ready to dump your thumbs aint gonna stop it.

either way is fine, its what you comfortable with.

 

[Vennom96]

It doesn't make a difference but like everyone else said thumb wrapped around is a lot safer. Sometimes when I do close grip bench my thumb will be on the same side.

 

[bronx_brawla]

It doesn't make a difference but like everyone else said thumb wrapped around is a lot safer. Sometimes when I do close grip bench my thumb will be on the same side.

Yeah that might be the only time that i have my thumbs on the same saides as my fingers. But if im using a cambered bar...i feel safer for some reason. Mayby cuz of the angle....


thankx alot for gettin' this off my mind guys. I appreciate it!!

 

[Fender]

Maybe this is just me but when I wrap my thumb around the bar and I am pushing up a heavy weight, sometimes I tend to squeeze the bar which actually affects my lift. I now do it with thumb on the same side and seem to lift better.
PB said it...whatever you're comfortable with.

 

[Mudge]

I was doing suicide benching for awhile, but now I only use that grip for power close grip benching. My normal benches are regular thumb position (around the bar).

NTN, most 'good' bench articles will tell you to in fact, bend the bar on the way up.

 

[Trucker111]

NTN, most 'good' bench articles will tell you to in fact, bend the bar on the way up.

Heard that also.

 

[Smallguy]

I usd to use a flas grip (thumbs not around the bar) and thought I colud bench more thatway.... now I just use wrist wraps to help my wrist out and wrap completly around.

 

[Fender]

I think there is a difference between trying to bend the bar and trying to strangle it...as I was struggling with that last rep I would almost go white-knuckled unless I thought about it and eased my grip. I have never tried bending the bar....hey tonights chest night.

 

[bronx_brawla]

NTN, most 'good' bench articles will tell you to in fact, bend the bar on the way up.

IM STILL NOT CLEAR ON WHAT "BENDING THE BAR" MEANS...CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN?...I'D LIKE TO TRY IT.

THANX
-BRONX

 

[Slayer]

I use to bench thumb out but I started having problems with my wrists. When I benched thumb out, I tended to keep my writst bent while benching. When I wrap my thumb around the bar, I am better able to keep my wrist straight and in line with my arm.

 

[pullinbig]

IM STILL NOT CLEAR ON WHAT "BENDING THE BAR" MEANS...CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN?...I'D LIKE TO TRY IT.

THANX
-BRONX

it means tucking the elbows when benching. nothing more nothing less. =0l