Gene Rychlak at 2005 Olympia

[Aaron_F]

Quote[/b] (jvroig @ Oct. 27 2005,12:21)]It actually takes a lot of work to make it work, which is why it isn't really "cheating" of any sort.

It isnt cheating because it takes a lot of work to bench in a shirt (it takes a lot of work to bench anyway)

What makes it not cheating is that the federations rules allow it.

 

[Totentanz]

From my understanding, a shirt can make benching more difficult in some ways, because it is harder to get the bar to touch your chest, among other things.

It's a tool. People get confused sometimes about the differences between benching in powerlifting and benching in bodybuilding - totally different goals.

 

[Jester]

Is there any benefit from a hypertrophy angle to benching in a shirt - as opposed to regular benching...?

 

[Aaron_F]

depends

if you have shoulder issues and wearing a bench shirt actually allows you to train without hurting them more, then it will help. Otherwise its taking some load out of the movement.

A good shirt bencher will generally have big triceps and semi good shoulders. A good unequipped bencher will have big everything...