The Testify Star - April 29, 2024
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video How to Safely Bench Press Alone! (click the title to watch):
dingle22
Would it be safe If I leave clips off of the bench press, so that if I fail I can just slide the weights off each side? I don't have access to a squat rack like that atm
Phil
Good question. It will be safer without the clips than with the clips (and we always bench without clips at Testify as a back-up safety feature) in the sense that, if you're benching without a spotter, you fail a rep, and the bar ends up back on your chest, you can do exactly what you described - tip the bar to one side, the plates slide off, tip the bar to the other side (which it will do anyway once one side is unloaded), the plates slide off again, and you're safe. It's loud and potentially embarrassing (and hopefully nobody is standing where the plates will land), but you're alive, which is key.
However, the most dangerous part of the bench press is when the bar is positioned over your neck or face, i.e., the unrack at the beginning of a set, the rerack at the end of a set, or on a rep where you accidentally push the bar too far back. It's dangerous for two reasons - 1) if a bar ends up on your face or neck, it could do serious damage and actually kill you, and 2) you're in a mechanically disadvantaged position since the bar isn't directly over your shoulders. The absence of clips doesn't help this situation much if at all. It's true that you might still be able to dump the bar, but the loaded bar will have already landed on your face and/or neck, and it's highly likely the damage will already have been done.
For this reason, if you don't have a rack that can be set with safeties when benching, then I'd strongly recommend getting a spotter. Even with safeties, spotters are very handy for unracks and reracks.
Long response, but I hope it was useful.
dingle22
@TestifySC Yes very helpful, thank you so much!!
Phil
You're very welcome!
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
1 Minute Tutorial: Learn to SQUAT
Learn to squat in 60 seconds! We cover the basics of the squat in a straightforward manner. Click here to watch.
Lifting Gear: What to Wear and What NOT to Wear!
What should you wear when lifting weights? What should you NOT wear? This is the first article in the "Lifting Gear" series. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: The Bench Press: You're Doing This Wrong.
You’re ready to bench - your grip is pronated, you’ve got your focal point, and you're driving with your legs, but you’re forgetting one thing - Phil explains. Click here to watch.
Blast from the Past: The Squat: Vertical Will Happen . . . Eventually.
A common problem in the squat is that of trying to make the back angle more vertical right away in the ascent. Let’s fix this. Click here to read.
NEW TESTIFY HOODIES ARE AVAILABLE!
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Click here to head to the Testify Store.
WHAT'S COMING UP
Reminder: We will be closed for training on Saturday, 05/11/24, as we are hosting the annual Testify Barbell MAYhem meet.
Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.
Starting Strength Self-Sufficient Lifter Camp
May 18, 2024
Spend the day learning the Squat, Press, and Deadlift and how to self-evaluate your lifts while training in your garage or commercial gym without a coach.
Click here to register or for more information.
Testify Strongman Summer Showdown
June 22, 2024
Show up to lift, throw, carry, push, and pull big things, but most importantly, show up to have a great time with your fellow competitors and perhaps try something new!
Click here to register or for more information.
Testify IronFest VI
July 12, 2024
IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.
Click here to register or for more information.
THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING
Option 1
Sled Pyramid – 4, 5, or 6 tiers
Go up and down a 4, 5, or 6 tier “sled pyramid.” The distance for each round is 80 m indoors (a down-back on the 40m course) or 200 ft outdoors (2 down-backs on the 50 ft course). Rest as needed.
For example, Bob does the following (4 tiers):
Round 1: Empty sled
Round 2: 25#
Round 3: 50#
Round 4: 75#
Round 5: 50#
Round 6: 25#
Round 7: Empty sled
Compare to 2024.02.26.
Option 2
Bike/row:
5 min on
4 min off
4 min on
3 min off
3 min on
2 min off
2 min on
1 min off
1 min on
Record distance for each interval and add for total distance.
Compare to 2024.02.05.
Option 3
5-10 rounds of:
30 sec ME tire flips
30 sec rest
Compare to 2024.01.08.
Option 4
Sandbag-over-bars
Set yoke at #33 for women or #35 for men.
1. 1 minute AMRAP
2. 5 rounds of 2 reps every 2 minutes (speed!)
3. 1 minute AMRAP
Weights
Female under 40 years
140 lbs and under: 75 lbs
140.1 lbs – 185 lbs: 100 lbs
185.1 lbs and over: 150 lbs
Female 40 years and over
140 lbs and under: 50 lbs
185 lbs and under: 75 lbs
185.1 lbs and over: 100 lbs
Male under 40 years
185 lbs and under: 150 lbs
185.1 lbs – 235 lbs: 200 lbs
235.1 lbs and over: 250 lbs
Male 40 years and over
185 lbs and under: 100 lbs
185.1 lbs – 235 lbs: 150 lbs
235.1 lbs and over: 200 lbs
Compare to 2024.01.08.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!