Tucking elbows on the bench

[marty232]

In this video date Tate recommends tucking the elbows in on the bench press to reduce the shoulder strain is this correct?

I know Tate teaches power lifting bench press but the concept is the same?

I know Mark Rippetoe recommends keeping the elbows out on the bench press.

The article here
http://www.criticalbench.com/benchpressarticles8.htm

The video here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP3g-I9Sf9s

[cannibal.horse]

tbh I dont think Tate is the best movement coach for your average guy trying to get strong at fitness first. His squatting technique is going to kill anyone without briefs and his bench technique is the same.

I can't see that sort of form being passed at a USAPL meet, nor can I see a significant risk of injury for someone benching 300 with a medium grip to their nipples.

[kunnar]

Rippetoe is not recommending keeping the elbows out on the bench press. He writes that best angle is somewhere between 90 degrees and parallel to the torso.

[marty232]

Yes I read that in the book kunnar.

[marty232]

What do you guys think of this video on how it relates to starting strength bench press.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=krvj...eature=related

[kunnar]

Yes I read that in the book kunnar.

Then why you write that Rippetoe recommends keeping the elbows out on the bench press?

[marty232]

What things in this article do you think are best for starting strength bench.

http://www.criticalbench.com/benchpressarticles8.htm

[gzt]

I think his comments are more for geared lifters or competitive PLers. You'll still want your elbows tucked some, but not as extreme, and maybe not touch quite as low. The SS bench is also more of a "J" bench than a "straight" bench. It's a major debate in the benching community, the most important thing is probably just to pick a side and train with it.

[simonsky]

dont overcomplicate things. Rip doesnt recommend ultra elbow flares and tate doesnt recommend too close neither they both recommend in between though tate's a little bit closer.

and there is no dispute between bar paths, unless your armpit angle is 90 degrees the bar wont go straight up. even OHP doesnt go straight up.

even though the bar goes up in a "j" line you dont want to cue "J,J,J" you want to think "straight up"....

as far as closer grips look at kk's bench
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9qca-qK6UE

its like a closegrip bench because his forearms bend inward but he is still f'ing strong!

[MazdaMatt]

I trained for a whiel with Tate's style. My bench numbers skyrocketted. I switched back to Rip's style, knocked off 20% and injured my shoulder first try.

I DON'T blame Rip's style, i blame Tate's. Great way to put up numbers, bad way to train a newb for the sake of muscle gain. It didn't work key areas of my shoulders and left me with a weak link that snapped when I went back to Rip's recommended style. I've since recovered and progressed using Rip's style and I'm almost back to the weights I was doing with Tate's. If I went to compete, I practice Tate's and use it in competition, but not in general LP training.