Bench Pad - How Wide is Too Wide ? How Thick is Too Thick ?

I'm looking at Donnie Thompson " fat pad " and it is 14.5" wide and 4.5" thick. Also based on this picture:

[url]http://cdn.roguefitness.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/h/thompson-fat-pad-3.jpg[/url]

it seems the padding itself is about 3.5 inches out of the total 4.5 inch height. ( you can sort of see the edge of the padding ).

IPF spec maximum width of the pad is 32 cm or 12.6 inches, so it is definitely out of spec. that's not the same as saying that it is too wide however - is it ?

My frame is pretty much what it should be for a 5'10 - 5'11 male. My shoulders are about the width they should be for my height. IPF spec aside - what do you think the bench pad width should be for me ?

As for the thickness obviously it depends on material. I spent probably 20 hours researching various high end materials such as Natural Rubber Sponge and Poron but ultimately they are available only in thin sheets and i decided i don't want to go through the process of trying to bond them together, because it could potentially end up in a very expensive fail.

Ultimately i decided i will use one piece of rebond laminated on top of one piece of neoprene, both from this website:

[url]http://www.foamforyou.com/[/url]

I used this site twice for the custom mattresses i made and i like their prices, shipping speed and cost ( shipping to Brooklyn ). They sell both Rebond and Neoprene.

their neoprene is 6 LB density 2 - 5 psi IFD which is the soft grade, and their rebond is 5.75 LB density. both are quite cheap. neoprene is about twice the cost of rebond.

what i can't figure out is what thickness to order the layers in ?

the neoprene is available in 1/2", 3/4", 1" or 2" thickness and rebond in 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5", or 3" inch thick.

scenario (A): 2" of rebond over 1" of neoprene, for 3" total.

scenario (B): 1.5" of rebond over 2" of neoprene for 3.5" total.

the benefit of (A) is that a thicker layer of rebond should probably be more durable. the benefit of (B) is the pad should feel better for dumbbell rows when you put the knee on the pad.

i could also go 2" of rebond over 2" of neoprene but then at 4" it would be thicker than thompson pad and i would be in uncharted territory - kinda scary.

any thoughts ?

[IMG]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h132/northernmoris/4c498c5e09b9a7fc6bc3dabbeaa8cc8e_zps1e291b1b.jpg[/IMG]

[img]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7204521&d=1408182813[/img]

[QUOTE=G1981C;1281084061]any thoughts ?[/QUOTE]

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[img]http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/148361/jumptheshark-o.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.brainlazy.com/wp-content/uploads/overengineered-header-333x250.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.flirtfm.ie/img/shows/feed-me-weird-things_500.jpg[/img]

thought maybe you would surprise me ...

i'm leaning towards 1" of Rebond over 2" of Neoprene ...

i would like to order it on tomorrow ( Monday )

I had a Thompson Fat Pad on my bench but I found it wasn't wide enough.

I just ended up mounting an extra firm twin mattress to the top of my bench.

[img]http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2013-11/enhanced/webdr06/21/11/anigif_enhanced-buzz-15142-1385051976-40.gif[/img]

[QUOTE=G1981C;1281608021]thought maybe you would surprise me ...

[/QUOTE]

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[QUOTE=keyboardworkout;1281624441]I had a Thompson Fat Pad on my bench but I found it wasn't wide enough.

I just ended up mounting an extra firm twin mattress to the top of my bench.[/QUOTE]

Did you make the mattress yourself?

[QUOTE=G1981C;1281608021]thought maybe you would surprise me ...[/QUOTE]

Here's the thing; after making what, 4? threads about a single stupidly overly engineered bench, in which you ignored the input of almost all replies, you expect people to continue to give you serious answers?

This is actually a topic that interests me, as I have also been trying to build/assemble my "ultimate" bench, but why go through the frustration of placing my words upon deaf ears?

That being said, I have a Thompson Fat Pad, and I do feel that it's too wide. Hope this doesn't ruin your plans.

I also have the Thompson fat pad.
It may be a bit wide, 12 3/4 in. would be ideal.
Having said that, I would never go back to a normal 10 1/2 in. pad.
The pad width kinda depends on how wide you are.

[QUOTE=oldschoolifter;1281761721]I also have the Thompson fat pad.
It may be a bit wide, 12 3/4 in. would be ideal.
Having said that, I would never go back to a normal 10 1/2 in. pad.
The pad width kinda depends on how wide you are.[/QUOTE]
This is where I stand, as well.

Working with benches utilizing 11" (or less) of pad width caused nearly immediate shoulder issues for me. Simply not enough support. Using the mega 14.5" width seems to force my shoulders into vulnerable positions, also causing problems. I think a 12-12.5" pad would be optimal on a firm bench. I would go as wide as 13" if using a softer padding. I'm awfully tempted to tear my Thompson pad apart and reshape it a bit...

[QUOTE=BloodType3R;1281776791]This is where I stand, as well.

Working with benches utilizing 11" (or less) of pad width caused nearly immediate shoulder issues for me. Simply not enough support. Using the mega 14.5" width seems to force my shoulders into vulnerable positions, also causing problems. I think a 12-12.5" pad would be optimal on a firm bench. I would go as wide as 13" if using a softer padding. I'm awfully tempted to tear my Thompson pad apart and reshape it a bit...[/QUOTE]

For me, anything wider than 11" pinches the skin around my shoulder blades, especially on incline bench. My current bench is 10.5" and it works great for me.

The Shockmaster!

[img]http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/3054867/the-shockmaster-o.gif[/img]

[QUOTE=BloodType3R;1281727401]That being said, I have a Thompson Fat Pad, and I do feel that it's too wide. Hope this doesn't ruin your plans.[/QUOTE]

i was doing some testing and concluded that for maximum versatility the bench for me should be 12" wide, which is also IPF spec. i could go wider if i only used it for barbell press, but if i wanted to play around with different ways of pressing dumbells and extra range of motion it would get in the way. i think the reason commercial benches like Icarian are in the 10.5" range or so is so that women could also use them.

the Thompson pad is probably designed for certain type of people pressing with a certain form.

Thanks for the input 3R, Oldschoollifter and Skidmarx.

[QUOTE=G1981C;1281857141]i was doing some testing and concluded that for maximum versatility the bench for me should be 12" wide, which is also IPF spec. i could go wider if i only used it for barbell press, but if i wanted to play around with different ways of pressing dumbells and extra range of motion it would get in the way. i think the reason commercial benches like Icarian are in the 10.5" range or so is so that women could also use them.

the Thompson pad is probably designed for certain type of people pressing with a certain form.[/QUOTE]

Yep, I really think the Thompson pad is for barbell bench presses only and bigger dudes. I have both a 12" flat bench and a 10" wide 0-90° that I now use just for dumbbells and incline work. If I had to keep just one, I do like the 12" though...but then again, I'm more of a barbell bencher...for those that do more DB work, the slightly narrower bench might be preferred.

It would be great if Rogue made a normal pad that was a full 48 inches long. Also, a bench that was around 17.25 inches tall.

[QUOTE=Terpgym;1281893581]It would be great if Rogue made a normal pad that was a full 48 inches long. Also, a bench that was around 17.25 inches tall.[/QUOTE]

Geez. Do you really need an extra 0.25" of height and 1" of pad length? They already make a bench with a 47" pad length and 17.5" height: [url]http://www.roguefitness.com/monster-utility-bench[/url]

Their regular utility bench is also a 47" pad length, but 18" high.

well, i ordered the padding. i ordered 2" of neoprene and 1.5" of rebond. for a total of 3.5" padding, which in my estimate is the same as Thompson fat pad.

i didn't want to go this thick but i decided that it will be relatively easy to make the pad thinner later on and just add a spacer ( like a layer of rigid foam on the bottom ), on the other hand if i went with a thin pad it would be impossible to make the pad thicker later on because the bench would get too tall.

i will need to cut the foam sheet down to size, which will be 12 x 54.

what's better - 17.0" overall bench height or 17.25" ? LOL ... no seriously though :)

or at least which one would have better resale value ?

[QUOTE=Bench905;1281898991]Geez. Do you really need an extra 0.25" of height and 1" of pad length? They already make a bench with a 47" pad length and 17.5" height: [url]http://www.roguefitness.com/monster-utility-bench[/url]

Their regular utility bench is also a 47" pad length, but 18" high.[/QUOTE]

They should provide at least IPF specs.

[QUOTE=Terpgym;1281922021]They should provide at least IPF specs.[/QUOTE]

For a movable utility bench? Huh?

Also, IPF is around 11.5 to 12.5" width of the pad IIRC, so within spec at 12". And 16.5 to 17.7" bench height...and that bench I linked is 17.5." So what are you going on about?

[QUOTE=Bench905;1281924641]For a movable utility bench? Huh?

Also, IPF is around 11.5 to 12.5" width of the pad IIRC, so within spec at 12". And 16.5 to 17.7" bench height...and that bench I linked is 17.5." So what are you going on about?[/QUOTE]

48 inches is the minimum for bench pad length. For example, all EliteFTS flat benches are at least 48 inches long.

[QUOTE=Terpgym;1281932561]48 inches is the minimum for bench pad length. For example, all EliteFTS flat benches are at least 48 inches long.[/QUOTE]

I'm really struggling to see why you are making a big deal over 1" in length that will not be used. Height and width of the bench are infinitely more important than if a bench is 47" or 48" long (most people will probably use 36" of bench I'm thinking). If you were running an IPF competition, that's another story - but you wouldn't be using movable utility benches anyway.

[QUOTE=G1981C;1281906151]
what's better - 17.0" overall bench height or 17.25" ?[/QUOTE]

It's easy to make a bench taller (add 1/4" under pad or such). It's almost impossible to make it shorter.

I don't understand why people have a million layers of foam on a bench, I made mine with just 1 layer of 1/2" foam over ply, just cushions it enough so it still feels solid and comfortable.

[QUOTE=Skidmarx;1281828111]For me, anything wider than 11" pinches the skin around my shoulder blades, especially on incline bench. My current bench is 10.5" and it works great for me.[/QUOTE] That's a good point. I also prefer a narrower bench for inclines. 11" is probably my personal sweet spot.

[QUOTE=G1981C;1281857141]i was doing some testing and concluded that for maximum versatility the bench for me should be 12" wide, which is also IPF spec. i could go wider if i only used it for barbell press, but if i wanted to play around with different ways of pressing dumbells and extra range of motion it would get in the way. i think the reason commercial benches like Icarian are in the 10.5" range or so is so that women could also use them.

the Thompson pad is probably designed for certain type of people pressing with a certain form.

Thanks for the input 3R, Oldschoollifter and Skidmarx.[/QUOTE]
I think that's a safe bet.

[QUOTE=Bench905;1281858951]Yep, I really think the Thompson pad is for barbell bench presses only and bigger dudes. I have both a 12" flat bench and a 10" wide 0-90° that I now use just for dumbbells and incline work. If I had to keep just one, I do like the 12" though...but then again, I'm more of a barbell bencher...for those that do more DB work, the slightly narrower bench might be preferred.[/QUOTE]
I was also thinking primarily in flat barbell bench terms.

[QUOTE=owasM;1282174401]I don't understand why people have a million layers of foam on a bench, I made mine with just 1 layer of 1/2" foam over ply, just cushions it enough so it still feels solid and comfortable.[/QUOTE]

For me, it's not so much about comfort as it is performance. If you get the densities and layers just right, you'll get an optimal balance of support and scapular movement. If that optimal balance equates to a stronger bench press and better shoulder health, then that is worth finding, imo.

[QUOTE=Horgleton;1281832061]The Shockmaster!

[img]http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/3054867/the-shockmaster-o.gif[/img][/QUOTE]

one of the worst gimmicks in the history of wrestling. Up there with:
[img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_JOLBymHm4/TsfuSpxnhmI/AAAAAAAABPA/CSUaojqE8qE/s1600/WWE_WWF_SummerSlam-1991_IRS_Irwin-R-Schyster.jpg[/img]

and

[img]http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcxj5sDzX81rdh44fo1_400.jpg[/img]