bench press with chains

[beretta96]

Does anyone here bench with chains? I've been reading more about it and find it intriguing. It's not possible at our gym but debating getting set up in my basement. What do you guys think the pros and cons are?

[swolegantor]

If you bench in a shirt it helps alot. Although most guys are using bands more then chains. As far as Raw benching goes I don't think it will have as much of an impact since most people have problems at the bottom end of their bench not the top.

For bodybuilding purposes I don't really see any point.

[beretta96]

How do the bands work the bottom end of the press?

[Delt King]

That's the thing, it doesn't work the bottom end but increases the total weight near the top end...working lock out power for powerlifting. As shirted benchers have the advantage of the shirt on the bottom end. As for bodybuilding purposes...i guess if you're really weak on your tris and need to bring those up in order to complete a good weight on a bench, maybe.

[buildinthaskinnys]

Bands or chains or both Will help the bottom portion of your lift!! And will increase you raw bench!! Because the weight increase at the top forces you to reverse the weight and accelerate it harder than with out accomodated resistance!! Most people have a sticky point at about 3-5 inches above their chest, therefore if you become quicker at the reversal you have a better chance at breaking past this point!! At least thats the way I understand it.

If you want to become stronger you must become faster - louie Simmons

[Delt King]

Bands or chains or both Will help the bottom portion of your lift!! And will increase you raw bench!! Because the weight increase at the top forces you to reverse the weight and accelerate it harder than with out accomodated resistance!! Most people have a sticky point at about 3-5 inches above their chest, therefore if you become quicker at the reversal you have a better chance at breaking past this point!! At least thats the way I understand it.

If you want to become stronger you must become faster - louie Simmons

Interesting theory...I'd like to hear from Shane on this topic!

[buildinthaskinnys]

Interesting theory...I'd like to hear from Shane on this topic!

I cant take any credit it was never my idea, all I wrote was based on what I read in the westside barbell book of methods.

[JacktheThriller]

they are good becuz they allow a for maximun resistance throughout the bench, your weakest point will be at the bottom and your strongest at the top, so the stronger you are at a certain point in your lift more weight is added. so your bench will be 250pds at the top and 220 at the bottom allowing you to lift more in the top range than in the bottom

[AlladdinSane]

Bands or chains or both Will help the bottom portion of your lift!! And will increase you raw bench!! Because the weight increase at the top forces you to reverse the weight and accelerate it harder than with out accomodated resistance!! Most people have a sticky point at about 3-5 inches above their chest, therefore if you become quicker at the reversal you have a better chance at breaking past this point!! At least thats the way I understand it.

If you want to become stronger you must become faster - louie Simmons

This is correct.

[beretta96]

I've got a line on a bar, now looking for a bench and some plates to get started. A friend of mine has a welding machine so we'll make the collars for the chains. It's finding a quality bench while on strike is the biggest challenge. They're all around $500!

I posted an ad in classifieds and for now. Chain, aluminum pipe for collars, that's readily available, it's the search for a good bench.

thanks for the info guys.

[ta-kid]

The chains look cool too!Like a real wieghtlifters gym instead of the FitNESS Center look.LOL THEY NEED TO BE RUSTY LOOKING ALSO. LOL

[tiramisu]

I've got a line on a bar, now looking for a bench and some plates to get started. A friend of mine has a welding machine so we'll make the collars for the chains. It's finding a quality bench while on strike is the biggest challenge. They're all around $500!

I posted an ad in classifieds and for now. Chain, aluminum pipe for collars, that's readily available, it's the search for a good bench.

thanks for the info guys.

I bought chain at home depot and just used a couple of big eye bolts for the chain. While I don't use it in my program often since I started going to a gym it definitely helps with the lifting speed when used occassionally.

[JacktheThriller]

just read an article in Muscular Development on this, more muscle mass is gained through the use of bands and chains vs plates alone, i believe they refered to progressive resistance (chains) vs constant resistance (plate), the band group increased by 8.7%, the chains 7% and the plates 5.5%. So if you got em start encorporating them in your lifts, apparently there not just for show

[faller]

THEY NEED TO BE RUSTY LOOKING ALSO. LOL

I remember a couple years back in a logging camp there was another guy there that was into lifting, so we flew a bunch of weight into the camp and set up in one of the empty rooms. We found some old boom chain that had been sitting in the chuck for god knows how long, all rusted to shit, and we used them. We had no idea what the weight was for each side, but we had a lot of fun anyway.

[tiramisu]

... chains 8% if the other end is attached to young attractive women with big boa fans.