I'm looking ahead to the WOs following the Break-Ins--the Fat Loss WOs specifically, with incline DB bench presses. I have always had a problem with flat bench and incline presses: getting my feet to the floor. I am 5'2", and I never thought I was that much of a shrimp--but it seems I am. With flat bench presses, with my feet extended, my ankles dangle over the end of the bench--but my legs can't make it to the floor, not at the end of the bench, not at the sides. With inclines, they can dangle off the end toward the floor, but they don't touch; there's no support.
I've been doing the only thing I could: I've been planting my heels on the end of the bench. There's nothing like a low box (lower than the bench) at the gym that I could set at the end of the bench to rest my feet on.
How seriously will resting my feet on the bench jeopardize what the exercise is meant to accomplish for me? Are there any other suggestions? I could scoot all the way to the middle of the bench for flat bench DB presses, I suppose (never tried it; don't want to hurt myself)--which would enable my legs to reach the floor. But that wouldn't work if the bench is inclined, I don't think...? What to do in that case?
Does anyone else (you'd have to be short!) have this problem?
you'll produce less power that way. I'm short too, so I put a reebok step at the end of the bench so I can put my feet flat which gives me more drive/leverage from my feet. You can also use some plates, just stack them high enough to get you feet to them
How seriously will resting my feet on the bench jeopardize what the exercise is meant to accomplish for me? Are there any other suggestions? I could scoot all the way to the middle of the bench for flat bench DB presses, I suppose (never tried it; don't want to hurt myself)--which would enable my legs to reach the floor. But that wouldn't work if the bench is inclined, I don't think...? What to do in that case?
Does anyone else (you'd have to be short!) have this problem?
Being able to put your feet on the floor helps to stabalize yourself during the lift and arch the back (important for heavy power type lifts).
Being able to put your feet on the floor helps to stabalize yourself during the lift and arch the back (important for heavy power type lifts).
Yes... I know. That's why I raised the query about possible solutions. I want to be able to plant my legs on something--if not the floor. I guess that's why I've been planting them on the bench instead of keeping them crossed and raised in the air, as I've seen some people do.
Jijin, I'd probably have to stack about four 45s just to get enough height--and I think that's more time/effort to set up and take away than the exercise itself. But the gym does have the plastic Lego-type steps that can be made lower or higher depending upon how many under-supports I stack on the two ends. That would take time, too, but at least they'd be lighter than lugging 135# worth of plates!
I'll try that when I start the Fat Loss WOs and see how I fare: Thank you!
Lisa might be able to answer this, but if you don't get an answer in 24 hours, take it to the main training forum. This is not an intermittant issue and it's something you need a solution too quickly.
yeah i use those lego type stairs to get to the right height. all you need to do is just adjust it once and you should be able to use it for the rest of the set.
just prep ahead of the set, like during the warm up
just prep ahead of the set, like during the warm up
LOL--do you work out of your own home gym? If I set up anything in my gym and leave it to go warm up, it'll be gone by the time I return. The warmup section is in one area of the gym; weights are in another. I'll do the best I can to manage it, but even keeping two separate stations for a superset is going to be a problem in my gym. Fortunately, a number of the SS's can be managed at one station--anything that takes DBs or a BB for one exercise, with a piece of equipment (like lat p/d) for the second exercise. I can stay at the p/d station and guard my spot!
But trying to keep claim on the squat rack and the cable row stations together, one exercise and then the next, etc., is going to raise my cortisol level all by itself! :p But I'm game--and I'm stubborn!
bench press query...
I'll do the best I can to manage it, but even keeping two separate stations for a superset is going to be a problem in my gym. Fortunately, a number of the SS's can be managed at one station--anything that takes DBs or a BB for one exercise, with a piece of equipment (like lat p/d) for the second exercise. I can stay at the p/d station and guard my spot!
Linear Mode
