macgyver
TID Board Of Directors
- Nov 24, 2011
- 1,996
- 1,672
I have heard all the time guys with many years , even decades in the gym using thumbless and no issues.
I used to not give them crap. But then about 6 years ago, I was working out at my old powerlifting place. A guy my age, with 20+ years in the gym asked me for a spot. He was a BIG bencher. Incline 405 for reps type big bencher. Also ALWAYS used suicide grip.
He was doing some slow strict reps with 365 so it was 'light' for him. He really did not ask for a spot, but rather a lift off. He was strict about keeping his shoulders tight and always got a lift off over 315. I hung around just because it is kind of bro code.
On about the 7th rep (this guy was not even tired yet), the bar rolled out of his hand at about the top 3/4 position. I had zero time to react and it slammed his chest. He was a solid guy, but you could tell it scared him (and me). He was ok and I hung out with him and watched him for any signs of distress. He was VERY lucky.
He never figured out what happened. He said it felt just like any other bench set to him....until it just dropped. He made the switch to conventional grip after that. When I would go in the gym and see him working out alone, often he would be benching off the floor doing floor presses. He said he was working the different range of motion, but I know that fall left an impression on him....Literally!
I used to not give them crap. But then about 6 years ago, I was working out at my old powerlifting place. A guy my age, with 20+ years in the gym asked me for a spot. He was a BIG bencher. Incline 405 for reps type big bencher. Also ALWAYS used suicide grip.
He was doing some slow strict reps with 365 so it was 'light' for him. He really did not ask for a spot, but rather a lift off. He was strict about keeping his shoulders tight and always got a lift off over 315. I hung around just because it is kind of bro code.
On about the 7th rep (this guy was not even tired yet), the bar rolled out of his hand at about the top 3/4 position. I had zero time to react and it slammed his chest. He was a solid guy, but you could tell it scared him (and me). He was ok and I hung out with him and watched him for any signs of distress. He was VERY lucky.
He never figured out what happened. He said it felt just like any other bench set to him....until it just dropped. He made the switch to conventional grip after that. When I would go in the gym and see him working out alone, often he would be benching off the floor doing floor presses. He said he was working the different range of motion, but I know that fall left an impression on him....Literally!