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315x4 295x6 Stronger Than I Thought


EJ Livesey

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so after almost a year an d a half with no gym i finally went back. i decided to go heavy. i decided to use the slingshot for a couple reasons, 1) first time back, 2) keep form some what ok, 3) protect my shoulders. i got the slingshot as a test unit a few years back and really like it. i use a close grip, so I'm pretty sure i don't get 100% of the benefit it provides. But then again I'm not looking to bench huge numbers, I'm looking to stay injury free. and before anyone asks, yes that is a mobile EKG on me. The old ticker is acting up.

BTW with wide grip the slingshot should be good up to 10% so take 5-10% off my numbers and thats the actual bench

first lift 4x45 2x35 45 bar

second lift 6x45 45 bar

once i hit 350+ i will post another video. should be in a couple weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3QPkKKKmCc&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy and thanks for checking it out.

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I approve of this undertaking!!!

Word of advice: I can't do normal bench press by itself without hurting myself. Then I discovered the reverse grip style, and now, as long as I keep my numbers relatively equal, I really don't have to worry about it. I mention that because you seem to only be worried about getting stronger, and I personally believe that best way to do that in the shoulder area is to have equal strength in external/internal rotation. Regular bench works your major internal rotators (but not your subscapularis, which is arguably the most important muscle in your shoulder in terms of shoulder health and longevity), and reverse grip really works the external rotators.

Obviously, do whatever you want; I just like to see you pumping iron :) If you have any questions about how the shoulder works (rotator cuff stuff and whatnot). I have had to do a great deal of research in that area in order to deal with some injuries. I would love to save you a great deal of trouble.

Here is an article on reverse grip bench if you are interested:

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/master_the_reversegrip_bench_press

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Nice pressing Ej. That grip is gonna work your tris really nice too.

Hope all is well with your health seeing that ekg monitor.

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I approve of this undertaking!!!

Word of advice: I can't do normal bench press by itself without hurting myself. Then I discovered the reverse grip style, and now, as long as I keep my numbers relatively equal, I really don't have to worry about it. I mention that because you seem to only be worried about getting stronger, and I personally believe that best way to do that in the shoulder area is to have equal strength in external/internal rotation. Regular bench works your major internal rotators (but not your subscapularis, which is arguably the most important muscle in your shoulder in terms of shoulder health and longevity), and reverse grip really works the external rotators.

Obviously, do whatever you want; I just like to see you pumping iron :) If you have any questions about how the shoulder works (rotator cuff stuff and whatnot). I have had to do a great deal of research in that area in order to deal with some injuries. I would love to save you a great deal of trouble.

Here is an article on reverse grip bench if you are interested:

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/master_the_reversegrip_bench_press

i really enjoy how knowledgeable you are. you are a smart SOB. but i have to be honest, after a year and a half this is my base strength- i may have found the key to being and staying strong. i realize the balance is needed, and i don't have it. sometime it seems like i have the "fake Lat Syndrome" only because the muscles and tendons are so tight in my shoulders it causes my elbows to come out. i enjoy benching decent numbers, but 90% of my lifts are geared toward bending, this happens to be one of them.

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Nice pressing Ej. That grip is gonna work your tris really nice too.

Hope all is well with your health seeing that ekg monitor.

thanks bro, i really appreciate that.

the wider the grip the more pain and issues i have with my cuff, and id rather not damage that. i enjoy having full range, lol

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That's a serious base Ej. Beast mode!! I've never tried a slingshot I bet it give you the boost off the chest then helps nothing near lockout.

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That's a serious base Ej. Beast mode!! I've never tried a slingshot I bet it give you the boost off the chest then helps nothing near lockout.

when it was given to me as a test item, i was told to go wide. i do not. for me it gives the boost off the chest for about an 1"-1.5" but thats it. i use it more to keep my elbows close to my cage and keep everything in line, so to speak. when used correctly it adds about 10% i used to wrap jump stretch bands around my forearms to simulate the same thing.

Edited by EJ Livesey
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It's very possible. But I have no definitive proof. I can tell you, it hasn't hurt with crush downs. It also hasn't hurt with kinking either.

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I approve of this undertaking!!!

Word of advice: I can't do normal bench press by itself without hurting myself. Then I discovered the reverse grip style, and now, as long as I keep my numbers relatively equal, I really don't have to worry about it. I mention that because you seem to only be worried about getting stronger, and I personally believe that best way to do that in the shoulder area is to have equal strength in external/internal rotation. Regular bench works your major internal rotators (but not your subscapularis, which is arguably the most important muscle in your shoulder in terms of shoulder health and longevity), and reverse grip really works the external rotators.

Obviously, do whatever you want; I just like to see you pumping iron :) If you have any questions about how the shoulder works (rotator cuff stuff and whatnot). I have had to do a great deal of research in that area in order to deal with some injuries. I would love to save you a great deal of trouble.

Here is an article on reverse grip bench if you are interested:

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/master_the_reversegrip_bench_press

i really enjoy how knowledgeable you are. you are a smart SOB. but i have to be honest, after a year and a half this is my base strength- i may have found the key to being and staying strong. i realize the balance is needed, and i don't have it. sometime it seems like i have the "fake Lat Syndrome" only because the muscles and tendons are so tight in my shoulders it causes my elbows to come out. i enjoy benching decent numbers, but 90% of my lifts are geared toward bending, this happens to be one of them.

I know that you know your stuff when it comes to bending, and are more than capable of designing your own auxiliary exercises :). It is because I have suffered a seriously debilitating injury to my left shoulder while benching with a regular grip (took over a year to iron out) that I was quick to shoot you a link for the other style. Ultimately, you are right: everything you do should relate back to your bending interests in some way because that is what is most important to you.

That being said, I think lose, balanced shoulders are great for everything :)

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In the past I have switched things up. Barbell, dumbbell, bent arm flys, pec deck, decline bench. and I would never do any of those two in the same session or workout. And I agree 150% balance is the key. That said I will look further into your ideas and try them. See how they feel and go from there. I really appreciate the feedback. Truly I do.

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Nice! That is a super narrow grip man. Crazy!

Ive tried a slingshot in the past and it was awkward for me.. I can definitely see how they can benefit tho. I remember not even being able to get 275 to my chest without pulling the weight towards me because the slingshot had so much tension. And i bench with a relatively narrow grip as well.. So i can only imagine how much lift one would get if they were to go with a wide grip while using that.

And i didnt even notice the monitor. Holy moly!

A wide grip with this thing for me is too much for me. You actually have to fight with it to get the bar in place. A year and a half ago a power lifter/ strongman at my gym (who actually competed with Bergmann) gave me a lecture on using this. Said I was using it all wrong and might as well bench raw. I wasn't getting the full effect of it and when used properly was a good workout tool. He then proceeded to use a denim bench shirt and reverse grip 500lbs for reps of 8.

Needless to say this thing does take some getting used to.

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Nice job on the benching E.J.

Definitely a good base level of strength.

He then proceeded to use a denim bench shirt and reverse grip 500lbs for reps of 8.

I find geared lifting somewhat amusing....maybe that's just me though

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Strong work EJ!

Thanks Wiggy. I'll get back what I lost rather fast.

Nice job on the benching E.J.

Definitely a good base level of strength.

He then proceeded to use a denim bench shirt and reverse grip 500lbs for reps of 8.

I find geared lifting somewhat amusing....maybe that's just me though

Well gear has its place in lifting. Our bodies will only go so far before it says "nope not today asshole". Some of these different types of gear can add 5-25%+ on a bench. Gear has its place wether black market or legal, who am I to judge? I really like the slingshot, it's geared lifting to a point and cheating. It helps me keep my elbows and shoulders safe, busted me through a few plateus and gave me confidence. But take the shirts and suits away and these guys still blow 99% of us out of the water strength wise. Using gear has its place, just like double wraps has its place and the new IM hub rule has its place. I'm very open minded when it comes to all this stuff.

Strong benching EJ.

Thanks bro, I appreciate you checking it out. I can only imagine what you could do with this. You're a benching MONSTER.

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