INFO:

After reviewing over 2000 bench press videos in the last 3 months, I’ve identified the most common mistake powerlifters make: activating leg drive at the bottom of the bench press. Now you might be asking, Darath, isn’t that where the bench press is the hardest? Shouldn’t you be activating the leg drive at the bottom position? Yes, the bottom of the bench press is the hardest, but that doesn’t mean that’s where you should activate your leg drive. Activating your leg drive at the bottom position can cause your hips to rise off the bench. This destabilizes your entire body, making it harder to maintain proper position for an effective press. When your hips lift off the bench, the force generated by your legs doesn’t fully transfer to your torso and then to the barbell. This makes the lift feel a lot harder and reduces the efficiency of the bench press. Instead, your leg drive should begin at the very start of the bench press. During the unrack of the barbell, dig your heels into the ground and flex your legs as hard as you possibly can. Once you are ready to press, give your legs another push through the ground and maintain this flexed tension until the lift is complete. You can reset your leg drive at the very top of the rep. Try this out and I guarantee your bench press will feel a lot more stable. And if you want to be a better powerlifter, follow my page for more tips!