The Bench Press

For a better understanding
Joseph PONNIER

Benchshirts often break in the 90 kg to +125 kg classes, in which lifters have broad shoulders.

The reason is simply because these lifters only have a partial back support on the bench. A part of the back ( around the scapulas and the shoulders ) is in the vacuum. Some lifters have no support, or partial support, of the scapulas and the shoulders on the bench, so that they have to open their thoraxic cage at the maximum backwards. The extension of the benchshirt is stronger and there is a risk of breaking.

So, these lifters roll on the bench, they have evil to be fixed, and always try to stabilize on this bench which is not wide enough for their back. It would be the same if the width of the bench was reduced for the lighter classes.

Picture A :

Extended arms

red scapulas
Bad support for the scapulas and shoulders
a part of them in the vacuum).

wider opening backwards, so risk of breaking for the shirt.

Stronger stretching for the shirt.

Sliding of the scapulas and shoulders during the descent
of the bar. During the descent, the lifter always has to seek
stability, and sometimes he rolls on the bench. A part of his power is lost.

On the other hand, lifters below 90 kg classes with less broad shoulders have their whole back in contact with the bench, which allow them a far better back support of the scapulas and the shoulders. So they can press their bar using this support and avoid a too large opening of their thoraxic cages, which will occur if their scapulas and shoulders were in the vacuum (out of the bench, or partially out).

Picture B :

Extended arms

less broad opening of the chest

Good support on the scapulas and shoulders
The whole strength is always under support on the bench, like a jack of a car under it.

I often ask myself this question : why do lifters from light classes lift very heavy bars compared to their bodyweight ? To me, the reason is that the width of the bench fits very well to under 90 kg classes lifters, with broad shoulders. For the over 90 kg classes lifters, with broad shoulders, the width of the bench is too small, and a part of their back is in the vacuum.

So, the lifting conditions are not the same for them. If we reduced proportionnally the width of the bench for the lighter classes, I believe that their performances would not be the same as they are now. In the same way, if we increased proportionnally the width of the bench for the heavier classes, I believe that their performances would be better that they are now.

The IPF and (or) the EPF should examine this problem. According to me, the width of the bench should be increased for the 90 kg classes and above, and maintained for the lighter ones (44 kg to 82,5 kg classes ). That just needs a change of the bench board after the 82,5 kg class session.

Concerning the width of the bench, larger for the 90 kg lifters, you don't have to use several benches in the warming room with different widths. To me, warming up is preparing muscles to the efforts before lying on the competition bench. It means that big weights will only be lifted on the platform. So it doesn't seem necessary to warm up on special benches. The 90 kg or + lifters will only need back support on the platform. It's more or less like weights, which are not always the right ones in the warming room.

See with picture A (above)

The back ( scapulas and shoulders is entirely
In contact with the bench
Alexzey Sivokon ( Kaz ), 67,5 kg class.
225 kg on the bar

See with picture B (above)

A part of the back ( scapulas and shoulders ) is
out of the bench.
Evgeny Matasov ( Rus ), 100 kg class.
262,5 kg on the bar.

Part in the vacuum

side of the bench.     Scapulas and shoulders in

                                (or partially in) the vacuum).

all the shoulder is out of the bench
no support