What are the 5 common mistakes when performing the bench press?

12 biggest bench press mistakes
  • 1 – Going too heavy. ...
  • 2 – Flaring elbows out at 90° angles. ...
  • 3 – Bending wrists backwards. ...
  • 4 – Improper grip width. ...
  • 5 – Lowering bar too high up on chest. ...
  • 6 – Bench pressing with a flat upper back. ...
  • 7 – Raising butt off the bench. ...
  • 8 – Not keeping the feet grounded.
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Is there a wrong way to bench press?

Bouncing the Bar

At the bottom portion of the bench press, don't bounce the bar on your body — this cheats the movement by creating momentum to make the barbell easier to lift. You can also hurt your ribcage if the weight is heavy enough. If you have to bounce the barbell, chances are it's too heavy.
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What are 5 technique points for bench press?

Bench Press Key Points

When I teach proper bench press technique, I focus on "5 Points of Contact" – feet, glutes, upper back/shoulders, head, and hands. If these body parts are following proper protocol, you're setting yourself up for a stronger bench press that builds maximum muscle and minimizes injury risk.
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How do you know if you're doing the wrong bench press?

8 Signs That Your Bench Press Form Is Incorrect
  1. Your shoulders hurt more than your chest. ...
  2. Your elbows are out too wide or in too close. ...
  3. The barbell is bouncing off your chest. ...
  4. You don't have enough contact with the bench. ...
  5. Your grip isn't properly aligned. ...
  6. Your feet aren't flat on the ground.
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What are the rules for bench press?

Bench Press. The lifter must lie on his back with head, shoulders and buttocks in contact with the bench surface. The feet must be flat on the floor (as flat as the shape of the shoe will allow). His hands and fingers must grip the bar positioned in the rack stands with a thumbs around grip.
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The Official Bench Press Check List (AVOID MISTAKES!)



How do you properly lift a bench?

Place your hands on the bar above you with your fingers on the rough grip area, then grasp the bar. Squeeze your scapulas, or shoulder blades, together for proper form and targeting. When you're ready to lift off the weight to perform a bench press, lift and then extend your arms out straight.
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What not to do when benching?

12 biggest bench press mistakes
  1. 1 – Going too heavy. ...
  2. 2 – Flaring elbows out at 90° angles. ...
  3. 3 – Bending wrists backwards. ...
  4. 4 – Improper grip width. ...
  5. 5 – Lowering bar too high up on chest. ...
  6. 6 – Bench pressing with a flat upper back. ...
  7. 7 – Raising butt off the bench. ...
  8. 8 – Not keeping the feet grounded.
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What causes a weak bench press?

If you have a weak bench press, this is a result of numerous factors, which include weak muscle groups such as shoulders, triceps, and chest. It may also be a result of poor or incorrect form and even the result of a muscular imbalance.
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Who should not do bench press?

Truth 2: It's not for everyone

Even good technique will only get the second group so far. They may simply be contraindicated for benching, due to the nature of that lift and their body. Put even more bluntly, the bench press doesn't promote healthy shoulders. The reason why comes down to the shoulder blades.
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What are 5 fitness tips?

If you want to start your journey to having a better body to feel great, here are some tips:
  • Exercise Daily. Exercise daily for at least an hour. ...
  • Eat the Right Foods and Portion Each Meal. ...
  • Keep Track of Calories and Food Intake Per Day. ...
  • Be Sure to Get Sleep. ...
  • Stay Motivated.
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What are 3 coaching cues for bench?

Lift your bench press game with these 5 cues
  • Cue #1: Eyes under the barbell.
  • Cue #2 Push the floor away.
  • Cue #3 Leave fingerprints on the barbell.
  • Cue #4 Bend the barbell.
  • Cue #5 Let Shoulders Fall Back.
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Is it OK to not touch your chest on bench press?

Should The Bar Touch Your Chest? The very easy, very simple, and very generic answer to this question is often yes… you should lower the bar all the way down until it touches your chest. That is, after all, the full range of motion for the how the barbell bench press is generally supposed to be done.
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Why am I strong but can't bench press?

If your muscles are inflexible and get locked up, it will limit your bench. The two areas that hold most people back are the back and hips. If you want to increase your bench max, not only should you add thickness to your back, you also need to stretch your lats.
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What grip is best for bench press?

What Type of Bench Press Grip Should You Use?
  • To increase the size of your upper chest, use a reverse grip or a neutral grip.
  • To improve your lockout/tricep strength, use a reverse grip or a neutral grip.
  • A comprehensive grasp is ideal for developing your pectoralis major.
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What is a dead bench press?

So what is a dead bench press? A dead bench press is a bench press variation performed from safety pins of a rack or power cage. The bar is initiated from a dead start from the pins with the elbows in a bent position, and then returned to the pins and pausing before the next rep.
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What are the negative effects of bench press?

Labral and pectoral tears as well as shoulder impingement symptoms and biceps tendonitis are among the common injuries associated with the bench press.
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Why you shouldn't lift your head when benching?

Lifting Your Head off the Bench

There's nothing to see—keep your head on the bench at all times. Lifting it up as you push will strain your neck and waste energy. If you still struggle to keep your neck down, you could have a significant forward-neck posture.
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What are 3 tips for proper lifting technique?

Keep your back straight, and don't twist as you lift. Hold the load as close to your body as possible, at the level of your belly button. Use your feet to change direction, taking small steps. Lead with your hips as you change direction.
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How many minutes rest for bench press?

So for compound movements like the bench press, overhead press, squat, and so on, it would likely be best to stick to at least 3 minutes of rest between sets. And when using very heavy weight for lower reps (e.g. 3-5 reps), increasing your rest period to even more than 3 minutes might be ideal.
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How much can the average man bench?

So, how much can the average man bench press? Around 185 pounds for a single repetition. But if he keeps training the bench press seriously for ten years, it's realistic to be able to bench press 290–335 pounds.
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What are the 3 C's of coaching?

The Three “C's” of a Coaching Perspective
  • Curiosity: You won't see possibilities in situations unless you're curious about what's possible. ...
  • Compassion: Coaches have compassion for people. ...
  • Courage: It always cracks me up when people tell me that coaching is “fluffy” or “soft.” It's anything but.
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