Legs up bench pressing?

[MisterSuperGod]

What's the reasoning behind putting your feet up on the bench when bench pressing?

i've seen a few people do it and always wondered what, if any, positive difference there is.

 

[Logan44551]

I've seen it too, it looks dumb. I think it's meant to help strengthen the core? Not really sure, makes it a more difficult movement

 

[DOMS4DAYS]

Always wondered this myself. I like feet planted firmly on the ground.

 

[BigDaddyV]

Well since you use your legs to push when you bench I’ve always thought it was a way to show off. Only using upper body.
I started lifting in the joint and people would fuck around and do that to show off. Or when we would warm up with 125 the bigger guys would sometimes do flutter kicks while they bench. It’s not as common in regular gyms as it is on the yard lol I still see it sometimes though and it’s rarely done by people who lift properly
I truly believe it’s just cockiness.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Putting your legs straight out is called Larsen Press. The reason behind the variation is to eliminate leg drive. I'd be willing to bet 90% of gym goers you see doing it don't know that or why they do it.

Personally I've never found using a bunch of exotic bench variations useful. My bench goes up the most when I'm doing a lot of flat bench 3-4x a week.

 

[jJjburton]

Putting your legs straight out is called Larsen Press. The reason behind the variation is to eliminate leg drive. I'd be willing to bet 90% of gym goers you see doing it don't know that or why they do it.

Personally I've never found using a bunch of exotic bench variations useful. My bench goes up the most when I'm doing a lot of flat bench 3-4x a week.

How much volume when working chest that much?

 

[Perrin Aybara]

How much volume when working chest that much?

I don't follow it exactly, but mostly like Prilepin's Chart if I'm doing my own programming.



Maybe some volume the first day 5x5 touch and go, then the next workout day maybe something like working up to a peak paused double with a rep or two in the tank, then the third workout day more volume close grip like a 3x8. Overhead press on the fourth day for whatever reps.

Keep in mind I'm really not doing anything additional chest wise. I've never found stuff like flyes to improve my bench any. Benching 3-4 days a week isn't really crazy if your accessory volume is low to none chest, shoulders, and triceps wise.

 

[Brandaddy]

Like perrin already basically said. A lot of powerlifters that have problems with their butt coming off the bench will do larsen presses to learn how to press without using their legs.

I've seen some wannabe bodybuilders do it to try and work their core at the same time. A big emphasis on "wannabe" bodybuilder. Lol

 

[Whopperflopper]

I never knew. I always thought having a tripod type base provided more stability ie, planting your feet in a wide yet comfortable stance, arch the back, and smoothly drive the counting to two, lowering to a four count. Fly's really help with the stretch during warmup, and come into their own during incline. I don't like decline work, yet I use it at least once a week. You better have your feet on floor for that.

 

[bob357sig]

I always assumed that guys that did that were having lower back problems when benching. I even fucked around with it when I was a young dumbass just experimenting. I do remember not being able to bench as much without that stable leg bace.

 

[Test_Subject]

What's the reasoning behind putting your feet up on the bench when bench pressing?

i've seen a few people do it and always wondered what, if any, positive difference there is.

It takes leg drive out of the equation so that you're using all chest, tris and delts to move the weight. I like floor presses with straight legs better for that purpose, personally.

I suspect that most gym-goers do it because they think that it looks cool. It does not.

 

[killionb12]

What's the reasoning behind putting your feet up on the bench when bench pressing?

i've seen a few people do it and always wondered what, if any, positive difference there is.

It’s a great way to injure your back. That’s coming from a doctor. Don’t do it.

 

[BigDaddyV]

Putting your legs straight out is called Larsen Press. The reason behind the variation is to eliminate leg drive. I'd be willing to bet 90% of gym goers you see doing it don't know that or why they do it.

Personally I've never found using a bunch of exotic bench variations useful. My bench goes up the most when I'm doing a lot of flat bench 3-4x a week.

Aye thanks for the insight man! I had no idea what it was either, but I also don’t do it lol

 

[Notadouche]

Legs on bench or legs crossed up in the air bench pressing is a means to maximize a flatter back and increase range of motion. Pretty much the exact opposite of a power lifting style press. It was made popular back in the day by Vince Gironda with his "neck press" or "guillotine press". It's not a bad approach if hypertrophy is your only goal.

 

[italianfan]

Personally I put the legs on the bench ONLY because it takes away the tension of my lower back (it dosen¨t arc this way), no other reason. I don¨t know if it¨s because I have problem there, or it is becase the shape of it. Never though that someone might intent to show off doing that, hahah!

 

[GymRaccoon]

I always assumed that guys that did that were having lower back problems when benching. I even fucked around with it when I was a young dumbass just experimenting. I do remember not being able to bench as much without that stable leg bace.

This is why I have done it in the past. Was having low back issue and legs on bench alleviated the strain on the low back. You can't lift as much and you better make sure you are nice and centered or tiiiimmmmberrrrr!

 

[shawn2551]

It’s a great way to injure your back. That’s coming from a doctor. Don’t do it.

I would never do it with legs up. But when my lower back is giving me hell, I'll put another utility bench at the end like a "T". Put my legs on either side so I still have plenty of stability. Having my legs up keeps pressure off my lowetback when its giving me a fit

 

[italianfan]

 

[BigRed91]

Last year I did alot of legs out straight benching and you don't feel it too much in ur core but I put a 45lb plate on my shins and it was my favorite ab exercise. I'd go up to ten slow reps of 315 keeping steady with that 45lb plate on shins and u have to really focus on everything so i like it.

 

[MindlessWork]

I've done some benching with my legs curled up off the floor..definitely feels different and more in the chest without any leg drive. That's the only way I could bench if I had a leg injury when it hurts to put any drive in them.

@Perrin Aybara maybe I should try benching with my legs straight out ... any good benefit?