INCREASE YOUR BENCH
CORRECT THESE BASICS
BREATHE
Take a deep breath before you lower the bar to begin each rep. Let the
air fill up in your belly and hold it. This increases intra-abdominal
pressure, stabilizing the spine and creating a tight feeling throughout
the body that will make you instantly stronger. You'll get a springlike
effect when the bar reaches your chest.
Attempting to take the breath while lowering the bar(as most of us do)
will cause you to lose some tightness. Note, however, that you may want
to hold the breath if you have high blood pressure.
PULL
Don't let gravity lower the bar for you. Pull it downward by engaging
your lats. Think about leading with your elbows and keep them tucked
close to your sides. Your upper arms should form a 45-degree angle to
your torso when the bar is at your lower chest (don't bring it down to
your mid pecs, but to the sternum).
PRESS
Lift in an arching motion. As you press the bar up, think about pushing
it from your sternum toward your face. This brings the triceps more
into play. You'll need to find your body's own "groove" so that, at the
top of the movement, the bar is in a direct line above your shoulders,
where it should feel almost weightless.
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