Anyone keep their head lifted off the bench?

[SoSadBtTrue]

Hi All,

I was just re-reading Starting Strength to make sure my form was spot-on, and I came across this section:

you do not use your head to bench press. Do not push jour head into the bench. This is an excellent way to injure your neck. You need to learn how to tighten up your neck without pushing on the bench with the back of your head. As a practical matter, this involves holding your head about a half-inch off the bench during the rep. If your head is held off the bench your neck muscles are tight. It is tempting to use the neck to push the bench, as it adds contracted muscle and tightness to the upper back area, but it is too dangerous a habit to let become established.

So, does anyone actually do this? I tried it today and it was challenging. It adds an element of coordination to the bench. I feel like my overall strength was less because I was concentrating on keeping my head up. It will probably start to feel more natural over time, but it was a bit awkward today.

Just curious. Thanks!

[TheHitStick]

I keep my head on the bench.

I've never heard of a neck injury during a bench press unless it involved the bar falling onto thee's neck.

[ALEXH-]

I lift my neck when I bench. I don't do it on purpose, it's just easier for me for some reason. Mind you I bench using dumbbells. When I do close grip with barbell my head stays on the bench. I don't know if this is weird or not lol.

[MattyG]

Pressing the back of the head into the bench is very common and IMO should be avoided.
I do find it a useful reminder to every now and then raise my head off the bench slightly, but I don't do the whole set like this. Maybe a rep or two, just to remind myself not to press my head into the bench.

[MattyG]

Sorry - hit reply too soon.

It is most important, IMO, to really pinch the shoulder blades together, giving a rock solid foundation to press from.
A lot of people lack this in their form, and this can lead to the head pressing issues.

Also, when shuffling into position can be a common place that you might place a lot of weight on the head, putting stress on the neck. Not saying this is terrible, but should be considered for safe and injury free lifting.

[DrShreddingston]

I keep my head up bra!

[Jack_Lupino]

i don't lift it off but i'm not pushing my head into the bench either... it just kind of rests there like it should.

shoulders on the other hand are pressed pretty tightly into the bench.

[NewMe101]

i have hurt my neck by turning it to look at the weights while in the middle of a rep, never will do again

[Chesticles2]

Comming from a powerlifter point of view, it will reduce overall power being transfered into the lift. Not sure on %'s though.
I have done it before with lightweight, but when I go heavy its all focus and form...with the head DOWN