powerlifting
Bench Press - Powerlifting
Works the triceps, using barbell.
Specification
| Equipment | barbell |
| Primary muscles | triceps |
| Secondary muscles | chest, forearms, lats, shoulders |
| Mechanic | compound |
| Force | push |
| Level | intermediate |
| Category | powerlifting |
How to do it
- Begin by lying on the bench, getting your head beyond the bar if possible. Tuck your feet underneath you and arch your back. Using the bar to help support your weight, lift your shoulder off the bench and retract them, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Use your feet to drive your traps into the bench. Maintain this tight body position throughout the movement.
- However wide your grip, it should cover the ring on the bar. Pull the bar out of the rack without protracting your shoulders. Focus on squeezing the bar and trying to pull it apart.
- Lower the bar to your lower chest or upper stomach. The bar, wrist, and elbow should stay in line at all times.
- Pause when the barbell touches your torso, and then drive the bar up with as much force as possible. The elbows should be tucked in until lockout.
Test it
This is one of the three lifts that get judged in competition, which means there is a real distribution to measure yourself against.