why do some people lift their legs up onto the bench when bench pressing?

[Push2failure]

like this..



arnt you suppose to drive yer legs into the floor for extra power?

[kidkidneys]

I think the theory is that pushing your feet on the floor is "cheating" and putting your feet on the bench eliminates the supplmentary boost you get from the rest of your body..... kinda isolating the bench movement

[.Enigma.]

I think the theory is that pushing your feet on the floor is "cheating" and putting your feet on the bench eliminates the supplmentary boost you get from the rest of your body..... kinda isolating the bench movement

this.

Also i heard it helps reduce strain off your lower back, not sure if that is true though

[Push2failure]

just read this then..

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/criticalbench19.htm

[DJAuto]

It can cause more harm then good.

[miscer44]

this.

Also i heard it helps reduce strain off your lower back, not sure if that is true though

i also heard that, takes your lower back to be less stressful and easier to focus on lifting weight

[Push2failure]

surely you cant have as much balance tho?

[tuff253]

Dont like putting feet on the bench. It's very easy to lose balance and control when you are lowering the BB and even when you push which can result in uneven workouts.

[M3Rachel]

i'm only 5'2 and I can't keep my feet flat on the floor and it sucks... so i have to put my feet on the bench

[Creature83]

i'm only 5'2 and I can't keep my feet flat on the floor and it sucks... so i have to put my feet on the bench

HAHA repped for the laugh(imagery).

[M3Rachel]

HAHA repped for the laugh(imagery).

Haha, thanks! It's true unfortunately

[TPower81]

I wouldn't do it. I see people do crazy stuff at the gym...and this is one of them.

[M3Rachel]

I wouldn't do it. I see people do crazy stuff at the gym...and this is one of them.

I feel safer stabilizing myself with my feet flat on the bench than with my wobbly tippy toes on the floor. There's no reason why midgets can't lift

[d16daily]

i do it because of pelvic tilt in my back, it aleviates pressure on "some peoples" spine.

[niiick]

it also forces your core to work if i'm not mistaken...

[zildjian_4]

because they want to roll off the bench. builds endurance for sure.

[Emmortal]

Because no one taught them how to bench properly so they see other guys in the gym who haven't been taught how to bench properly and copy them.

[ironwill2008]

It serves no purpose except to set you up for a possible serious injury. One of the first rules of weight training is to always lift from a solid base. For benching, that means planting your feet on the floor.

[DontRevMe]

People do it because it FORCES you to have a good even balance on the bar.

[jmah]

this way isnt good imo, i only put my feet up on the bench to flatten my back before i do my bench presses with my feet back on the ground, just a thing i do lol

[KCGUNZ]

What's the best way to lift for chest development?

Charles Glass said elbows at a 45 degree angle but I think it was Dorian Yates that said 90 degrees.

[essential222]

What's the best way to lift for chest development?

Charles Glass said elbows at a 45 degree angle but I think it was Dorian Yates that said 90 degrees.

Doubt Dorian would encourage people to set themselves up for a pec tear.

[Emmortal]

What's the best way to lift for chest development?

Charles Glass said elbows at a 45 degree angle but I think it was Dorian Yates that said 90 degrees.

Glass is correct. Shoulder blades retracted elbows tucked in. The further your elbows flare out the more stress is put on the outer pec/delt tie in and shoulder which at that position is in a vulnerable external rotation.

[KCGUNZ]

Doubt Dorian would encourage people to set themselves up for a pec tear.

http://thefitshow.tv/remastered/seas...eoId=301789793

Sorry, it was Milos Sarcev

[dodgyone]

For me having my feet on the ground stretches out my upper body and restricts how I contract my chest. Putting my legs up (or in the air) and slightly arching my back allows me to dial into the area and get a more forceful contraction.

My feeling has always been if you're lifting so heavy that you cannot put your feet up then you have no business lifting the weight in the first place. Many may disagree with that statement but it works for me. I get a great workout and I'm making great gains in an area which used to be a weak point for me.

[crupiea]

Years ago it was popular to cross your legs with them in the air when benching. You would see it everywhere.

It something someone saw someone else doing so it caught on from there.

Just do them the regular way and you will be happy.

[BEhave]

I don't think I have ever seen somebody do it on a maximal effort lift.

[ironwill2008]

I don't think I have ever seen somebody do it on a maximal effort lift.

And you never will.

[amtharin]

surely you cant have as much balance tho?

You dont, which adds to the benefits, it strengthens those stabilization muscles.

[IamJames]

It serves no purpose except to set you up for a possible serious injury. One of the first rules of weight training is to always lift from a solid base. For benching, that means planting your feet on the floor.

x2
Thats what I've been taught and heard from many.