The bench press tried to kill me (video)

[dan_g_28]

Almost died in the gym today. Worked up to 365 x 1 and 405 x 1 paused, then attempted 455 touch and go and lost it. Im not exactly sure what happened. Everything felt normal and I think I tried pushing it back over my head too soon, and I felt my arm giving out. Instead of fighting it I went with it and pushed it back hoping to catch the safeties, and luckily I did. I put no blame on the spotter, so dont go there. I hate having someone hover over the bar, so this is how he knows I like my spots. Video of 405 paused and the 455 fail included.
They always say "you see your life flash before your eyes" when you nearly die... however,
I didnt see much. Does that mean my life has sucked thus far? Also, if my face got crushed, at least I would have died doing what I love

[BiggBaby00]

No convulsions. Add more weight.

[ChecksandGiggles]

Jesus, that was close. If that safety hadn't been there...

[dan_g_28]

No convulsions. Add more weight.

lolz. Youre right... I did drop to 405 for a double after. Whats the worst that can happen?? haha

[dan_g_28]

Jesus, that was close. If that safety hadn't been there...

For sure. I always keep it in the back of my head, that if I lost it backwards just push it as hard as I can towards the rack...

[scarboro]

I always complained about all the benches having catchrails on them but after seeing this I think it's a good idea.

[BrianLD]

lolz@ the dude who starts to walk over, in the back. Man, that was the closest I've seen, glad you're still around. Keep getting stronger, so I'll never run out of people to catch up to XD

[John Prophet]

at any meet u see that at least 4-5 times, but usually with people using shirts for the first time


my advice, learn to like people hovering over you, lol. if a guys hands arent under the bar (not touching of course), he aint really "spotting"....and most people arent faster than gravity

[Getter_done]

scary stuff

[Black_Spit]

scary stuff

No joke. This is why I bench in the squat rack or power rack only now.

[dan_g_28]

lolz@ the dude who starts to walk over, in the back. Man, that was the closest I've seen, glad you're still around. Keep getting stronger, so I'll never run out of people to catch up to XD

Thanks brah. Lol. Ill hit it in a few weeks and show 455 what the deal is.

[dan_g_28]

at any meet u see that at least 4-5 times, but usually with people using shirts for the first time


my advice, learn to like people hovering over you, lol. if a guys hands arent under the bar (not touching of course), he aint really "spotting"....and most people arent faster than gravity

Yea we talked about it after the fact. It definately shouldn't happen again, once is enough.

[Liftamulti]

Where do you live brah? I'm 99.9% sure that that black guy was at aapf nationals in west palm beach.

[dan_g_28]

Where do you live brah? I'm 99.9% sure that that black guy was at aapf nationals in west palm beach.

I work out at a gym in Royal Oak, Michigan. I bet he was. His name is Art Little. He's a real good deadlifter..

[nvrstopworking]

Whoa.... that some scary sh it right there. Glad it worked out for you!

How long you been benching? Really impressive numbers there dude. Inspiring.

[dan_g_28]

Whoa.... that some scary sh it right there. Glad it worked out for you!

How long you been benching? Really impressive numbers there dude. Inspiring.

Thanks man. Well for this go round I've been at it for about 4 months. Started at 315 touch and go. Over the last 3 years I've worked up to around 405 3 different times before quitting for various reasons and losing all my strength. I say over the last 3 year I've averaged training for 4 out of the 12 months of each year. A waste of talent? Yes id say so. But I feel more dedicated than ever, and I'm stronger than I've ever been right now.

[COBBER]

Fuarrrk bro, should probably have a spotter on each side for that sheiit.

[martin_mathers]

damn i have never seen anything like that on a raw bench...that was actually some quick reaction from your spotter i wouldve fuking shat my pants

[darren.dugan]

That's why I use a power rack and angle the pins so I can still hit my chest but, if it goes to my face the pins are there to save my grill. Glad you're ok!

[SleepingPeace]

That was fackin' insane! Wow... I think I woulda' had a heart attack. But that's a **** ton of weight. Even 405 is beastly. Good job man.

[Seanzilla HCPL]

You looked really strong on the 405. I'm glad you didn't get decapitated with the next attempt. Even knowing how that video clip was going to end, I still jumped in my chair a bit because that bar came down so quickly. Hope your next run at it goes better. You've got solid control of the 405 though so that's a plus.

[watermelonbrah]

Holy crap that was close! I was scared to even watch the video! Good thing your alright though!

[babyslayer]

good god man! thats the scariest **** i have ever seen lol.. i knew you were gonna be ok, and i still flipped out when i saw it

[Mike.Moore]

Reminds me of a time about 12 years ago or so I was benching 335 and my elbow gave out and I dropped the bar right on my chest. Chest killed for about 2-3 weeks after. Not fun. Though that was benching suicide grip, which I stopped doing right after that!! Take my advice dude, get side spotters, and let your spotter stay close. I won't spot a guy unless I'm close. Anything over 400 I get sides. Better safe than sorry. Glad your ok.

[jdyqf]

lolz. Youre right... I did drop to 405 for a double after. Whats the worst that can happen?? haha

fracture bones in your face, and be messed up permenantly. ive seen it happen. kid at school dropped incline bench bar on his nose and it rolled all the way down his face. **

[UPAJudge]

Since nobbody is stating the obvious i will.*if you dont want a spotter to really spot, you should bench in a rack.*

[Elman811]

Dan- glad you're ok bro that was freaking scary!!!

You have crazy strength all around, but especially on your bench. I noticed you like to do westside and seems like it's been doing the trick.

What would you personally recommend to someone around your size with a max bench of 285 and who has no access to bands, boards, chains (stupid commercial gym)

Thanks man , keep up that good work!

[dan_g_28]

Thanks for all the "glad youre oks". Srs. I thought about it a lot at work today, and that really could have messed me up. lol. I got away with one, so ill be sure it wont happen again. Again, thanks fellas.

Dan- glad you're ok bro that was freaking scary!!! You have crazy strength all around, but especially on your bench. I noticed you like to do westside and seems like it's been doing the trick. What would you personally recommend to someone around your size with a max bench of 285 and who has no access to bands, boards, chains (stupid commercial gym) Thanks man , keep up that good work!

Thanks man. Ive been using westside principles since starting back in the gym, and have seen great gains. However, up until about 4 weeks ago I wasnt rotating my ME work enough. After my meet in 2 weeks ill focus on doing that more, and I expect the gains to continue. The first advice ill tell you is the obvious... find a new gym if its at all feasible. Im serious. Doing heavy partials against chains have made my bench skyrocket. I also have done one ME cycle of reverse band presses a couple weeks ago, which I cant wait to use as a regular ME movement. I think they are going to be killer for my bench. Figure out your weakness and destroy it. For me its the top half of the lift. I do a lot floor presses against chains, board presses with straight weight and against chains, and the reverse band presses, and they have helped me tremendously. It may seem obvious, but i also try to do every single rep focusing on explosiveness. Even accessory work, where its possible. I feel it trains your body to be ready to get the weight moving. I hate the "slow and controlled" idea. Ok... I feel like im rambling and like half of what i said doesnt make sense, lol, so i hope i got my point accross. Find your weakness and kill it.

[Porkchop74]

Back years ago my wrestling coach dropped 345 on his jaw I was across the wight room a still remember the sound of his jaw cracking. Amazingly he lived but had to have his face fixed . scary stuff I am glad your okay

[BEhave]

Once I own my own gym, everybody must bench in a power rack. Need them safety collars set up right above the lifters face.