Hey guys - Lou had something on his blog about benching shirts the other day which linked to an article that linked to a website that sells them - when I looked at the product, I couldn't figure out exactly how they work - is it because they are so tight and elastic that your arms get a slingshot effect when you bring the weight down (helping you bring the weight back up) or does the chest have a rubberized material? The product description touted its momentum effect.
Originally posted by austintwo: Hey guys - Lou had something on his blog about benching shirts the other day which linked to an article that linked to a website that sells them - when I looked at the product, I couldn't figure out exactly how they work - is it because they are so tight and elastic that your arms get a slingshot effect when you bring the weight down (helping you bring the weight back up) or does the chest have a rubberized material? The product description touted its momentum effect.
Thanks,
Pete
Yes, the shirt uses compression and elastic to give you some help. That's why guys wearing them look retarded...
I mean if you need a fancy shirt to lift the weight and you can't lift that amount without the shirt, what the hell is the point. I could deadlift 2000 lbs if my arms where attached to the bar with chains and I had springs under the bar to assist the lift, but again, what am I doing other than trying to look impressive? AND, they cost about $150-300...
Thanks newlife - The article seemed to be saying they're legal to use in contests - I believe the difference between the world record with one of the shirts (over 900 pounds) and without (just over 700) is huge.
I personally wouldn't bother buying one - like you say, they are pretty expensive - but it sounds like they give you both a slingshot effect due to the tight elastic material and a bounce off your chest?
To chriscorrea - sorry if the title to this thread was misleading - I guess someone could read this as a question about the benchpressing of shirts - one in each hand, or together?
Originally posted by austintwo: To chriscorrea - sorry if the title to this thread was misleading - I guess someone could read this as a question about the benchpressing of shirts - one in each hand, or together?
Yes they are legal and most powerlifters wear them. Part of the reason is due to injury prevention. Trying to lift the amount of weight a lot of guys are, plus spending so much time close to your max can be very taxing. It will protect the shoulders. It also does allow you to lift more weights. But they aren't elastic. You can get them out of a poly material, denim, or canvas. To a regular guy lifting they offer no benifit, but to a powerlifter they are pretty standard fare. Its not cheating if everyone is doing it too and its legal.
Plus, its not just like you pull on a shirt and lift more weights. You need to learn how to use the shirt, how to hit your groove, and what kind of shirt you best respond too. I have heard of guys who can get around 100 lbs out of there shirts and guys who struggle with 20 extra lbs.
A great quote from Dave Tate is something like, "I have never seen a bench shirt bench 100 lbs". I also think there is more to look at with the raw record compared to the shirted record. There is more money, publicity, and much less chance of an injury going for the shirted record, so a ton of guys don't bother to try to be the best raw lifter.
I can't tell you what it feels like to be in one, but I can tell you that getting into a squat suit sucks and looks really funny. I can provide pics if necessary.
Danny
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Limitations are for people who have them.
I won't be able to take the pic of a couple of hours as I have to leave for a bit. But it looks a lot like a wrestling singlet only its a much tougher material and its waaayyyy tighter and doesn't really stretch. If anyone knows where I can host it, I can even put up a video of me trying to get the damn thing on. It takes a couple minutes.
Danny
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Limitations are for people who have them.
I did some powerlifting right after my college football days.....I used a shirt only a couple of times as I felt that it didn't give me anywhere near the pounds that some of the other lifters got. I think the fact that I benched pretty narrow had something to do with it. I can remember powdering-up with the baby powder and having my girlfriend try to help me get it on....I would be sweating my ass off once I finally got in place!
When I wrapped-up my powerlifting days (lasted about a year) I ended-up benching more without the shirt in a meet than with, Perhaps if I widend my grip and had shorter arms (my reach is 79 in.) I would have had a legitimate shot at the elusive 6 bills.
Yeah dos, in a shirt you need to take the widest legal grip and arch the hell out of your back. Anything for a shorter range of motion. It sucks not being a big fat short guy!
Danny
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Limitations are for people who have them.
:p 
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