Bench Press Secrets with JM Blakley | elitefts.com

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[@realcastironstrength]

first 7 min already more useful than pretty much every bench tutorial I've seen

[@realcastironstrength]

the semantics of force v speed is killing this

[@jasonwitte3642]

Agree 100% just stumbled on this like why did it take this long for anyone else to explain it

[@HalfHotHalfCold]

I agree

[@johndonovan5521]

JM is the Bob Ross of lifting!!!!! Such a calm voice

[@johndonovan5521]

@@HarmonicGrunt why what?

[@beams098]

no that title would be given to john meadows

[@nickfritzsche2327]

@@beams098 yea that’s what I was going to say

[@johndonovan5521]

@@harveyemanuel5907 u got his bank account number also?

[@lowbarmike]

so much respect for JM and for the way he works and How professional he is even asking can i touch there can i do that...

[@davidec.4021]

Professional and a gentleman, yeah it was nice to see, respect the man

[@immortallegend648]

Its actually required in the US for any personal trainer to ask before touching someone whether it be man or woman.

[@lightemup1023]

100%

[@adarshanaskar160]

@@immortallegend648 example johny sins! A man in many characters!

[@audifan2501]

lol starting strength rip doesn do tat in one of his video before physical contact with one of his students and it comes off as creepy as hell. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqm8aomlp9dnaKM

[@Jmack7861]

Jm is still jacked af

[@karolzpoznania]

After watching this I have JM Blakley voice in my head answering all my toughest gym and life related questions. Pretty cool

[@aaronallstun2989]

Holy crap this guy just single handedly fixed so many issues I didnt even know I was doing wrong I would love to just sit in front of him and shut up and let him just empty knowledge onto me.

[@postworld1185]

"There is no tooth fairy." JM Blakley. Sums up the entire sport.

[@vivwilson3745]

I have just learned more about benching as a powerlifter in 51 minutes than in the last year of training. My god, why haven't I already been here

[@ChickensBurning]

Its amazing that this stuff is free

[@elliottfelix6756]

I wanna see JM dressed as Santa.

[@ironhillstraining3572]

(Kid) “I want a PS4.” (JM Claus) *hands kid frisbee golf set.

[@ronin_9]

I second that

[@HarmonicGrunt]

@@ironhillstraining3572 I want the Latino Chick!😉💪🏻👍🏻

[@minecraftlord568]

KeepFit Daddyuk yeah she’s freaking beautiful and badass man

[@apexg6571]

Hahahah

[@ktc227]

JM reminds me of the old school guys who mentored new lifters and made the gym a second family.

[@gatorslim5781]

JM is a saint. she seems so annoyed tbeing taught by such a legend. i'd love to be in her place.

[@tommygun8722]

I understand asking questions to a point. When you do it in a manner like assuming the expert has a reason to lie to you - I can understand why the frustration might build.

[@schumerthd]

Its because every powerlifter thinks leg drive means your legs are helping. That why he tried to show her how the legs play a role and providing tightness, not power.

[@Cyclefag420]

@@schumerthd yes david, so much false info out there people literally believe you can push your legs to push the bar up

[@robertdieder4178]

Added 25# to my bench in a week just from JM's explanations, been benching for 28 years and thought my form and press weight was pretty good..now i've broken a long plateau

[@manicmandownup]

Great teacher, receptive students.

[@AspireWu]

manicmandownup Probably the best thing in lifting.

[@ShaneTumminello]

JM is a massive man.

[@nikkonaa]

This was the single most helpful explanation for set up and shoulder position, I can tell I'm actually putting my shoulders in the right position now. Thanks!

[@Daniel.Patrick.Walsh88]

Thank you so much Elitefts and JM. So pumped you have JM back giving out free info to the world. Appreciate you guys alot. ☘️

[@clarkyow1418]

Unexpected comedy when you hear Dave give Lily shit about not getting her knees below the bench pad "Yes David I see everyone can do that execpt me" hahahahha that was great!

[@trevordollinger6569]

He reminds me of some kind of Sage who lives on a mountain top lol.

[@NiSE_Rafter]

Everyone else be talking about finishing over the shoulder or faces with a diagonal bar path and leg drive, but it's hard to argue with Blakley's results.

[@jacobrogers55]

Love the leg drive - squeeze argument, always used the term leg drive and now I know why it’s not. Will never use that term again on bench

[@MrMahia23]

Amazing bench tips. This makes me realise what I've been doing so wrong.

[@Dean_R1]

JMs teaching techniques are as good as it gets. What a king.

[@John-dx8xn]

after watching this basic and "boring" bench press video, I benched 225 for 3 reps first life time after a month training this way. I usually bench 175 ~ 185 for 3 reps with shoulder pain.

[@finiridetailing9160]

Absolutely brilliant. So much knowledge and explained in such a clear, concise and calm way. JM you are phenomenal 👍👍

[@darrenvictor2648]

When I first saw the duration of the video, I thought it would be a bit long to watch but I started it. When I paused it to make a cappa tea, it was already on minute 43... Went so fast! So much professional info! Pretty girls too ;) Also, at the beginning, when JM asked the girl to put her hands on his shoulder blades and he pushed forward, he moved her backwards and he just stood in his place - power! Impressive! Thank you, JM, for your teachings!

[@DubbleD97]

Such an amazing and patient coach

[@saadmahmood424]

This is gold! And it's free, unbelievable

[@petrl9838]

Wow, so I knew it felt right to push forward and not back. Thanks jm for confirming!

[@petrl9838]

@anonymous bruh Im talking about Bar path, not leg drive

[@irfanurrahman1992]

Decreased my range of motion about 3-4 inches,thanks man,it was really really informative,now i feel i can hit that 400lb mark soon

[@anthonymarconi761]

The audio was fine, you should apologize to a host of other channels for the top content you provide and raising the bar so much (no pun intended lol)

[@dean8931]

This just made me realize how shit my form is for bench lol Also how so many techniques I’ve been taught are full of it also 😂😂 this man is a LEGEND!!

[@nilo7727]

Great bench session with JM!!💪😎

[@eliteftsofficial]

Appreciate it!!

[@shanli2693]

It seems when he hears leg drive is similar to what I hear when a training partner say hips hips hips coming up in a squat. That is not the same as firing the glutes. It cannot be understated to know what muscles are contributing and when in a compound lift especially for a beginner. Practicing the feel of that muscle activating, firing through its full range in isolation, and then synchronizing in compound lifts; that is what I wish I had learned from the begining.

[@soniahambrook1866]

favorite bench press video.

[@terrywhitejr9574]

This video solved all my bench woes.

[@teepressifer]

awesome vid. im stalled at 475 raw. im definitely going to shorten my stroke

[@robertsherrow3627]

Much wisdom here. Appreciated!

[@awlach8]

JM is the John Danaher of the bench.

[@Henry-yi4rg]

Excellent teaching

[@bennygilligan]

That was nothing short of quality

[@majorbunyan]

Great video, very informative and will have to start bringing this info into my routine. Who is the one wearing the bench shirt? does she lift for elitefts?

[@junfan9476]

never did arch before when i bench seen so many do it now imma start see if it helps

[@maxxxmodelz4061]

That story about Ted Arcidi is legendary if true. LMAO! I remember Ted from WWF/WWE in the early 1980s, after his powerlifting days. He was a relatively short guy in the wrestling world, but an absolute BEAR. I don't think I've ever seen so much thick muscle packed on a 5'11 frame. Of course, he sucked at wrestling. He would gas out after just a few minutes, but he could lift big guys clean over his head, which was pretty impressive for the era.

[@bwalk323232]

Do you guys ever do small group seminars for benching? If so, I'm really interested.

[@joker28666]

what about if you absolutely have to do self liftoffs? any ways to protect shoulders?

[@dbgrafix09]

Dave Waterman , had a wide grip 185lbs 612 at Arnold years ago, use to see him back in Highs chool days, never believed him , till seen a couple KZbin videos, really wide grip good technic

[@alt_coiner]

What about wrist and elbow position? Shouldn't we try to keep it in the same vertical line?

[@whatispoetry]

JM is fuckin jacked

[@bumskins]

Such a legend.

[@stullsy21]

Bench bar path is optimal going backwards, not straight up, Greg Nuckols did research on this. And it actually makes more sense with JMs example of force going backwards into the bench, you want to move the bar where the force is going. The brachcistichrone curve also proves that a straight line isn't always most optimal when talking about moving forces getting between two points.

[@Yeomannn]

Why is it optimal going backwards?

[@heyimpat]

I don't think you fully grasped the concept - the more pronounced your arch is (creating a quasi-decline bench position), it is more ideal to shoot it up straight. It makes sense for most people that can't reach such an arch to then push it towards the face in a j-curve

[@Ron-ls6ob]

Dang. I learnt so much

[@KAILASHKUMAR-xq1bi]

Man do a vedio on forearm training secrets by JM

[@BigPatt99]

All I can say is damn I just learned a lot!

[@AntBalzano]

0:36 -- we stan a king who asks consent to touch to assist in achieving perfect bench pressing form!

[@shadow3799]

Nah he ant trying to get catch a case

[@Menaceblue3]

@@shadow3799 JM Blakeley: "Can I touch you?" Girl: "Yeah..." JM Blakeley: "Can you also sign these non disclosure agreements, waivers of release, and power of attorney forms?"

[@shadow3799]

@@Menaceblue3 hahaha

[@adamk7665]

Hi! Does this apply to raw bench as well or is this more for geared lifters? I'm guessing it applies to both but I just wanted to be sure since there was a lot of discussion about bench shirts in here.

[@davidmb3376]

The setup instruction is applicable to everyone. Grip width is gonna be more individual for raw lifters since pretty much every geared lifter will take a maximum width grip

[@littlemoo52]

AOC is looking swole nowadays

[@corneliusparkin2401]

Very good patience. She is not listening completely at all. Generally the worst people to train with have the old Dunning Krueger effect going. Which prevents them from fully listening, because they feel like they have to keep themselves.

[@285runt]

Awesome, Thank you. Merry Christmas.

[@themfnnitrorooster7619]

Imo shes saying yes and agreeing when she still has no clue ....this is a big problem i see with almost every area in like . People respond to quickly and they answer to give a reply insted of answer to confirm knowledge

[@TurnTheStoveOnBlaze]

Facts. Just ask for clarification!

[@themfnnitrorooster7619]

@@TurnTheStoveOnBlaze 100 man as a coach (nowhere near jm or daves level) but i soak up everything i can from them and id rather explain for 3 hrs with a empty bar than i would for a 30 min session even if they hit a pr with bad technique

[@simonize251]

Yeah his delivery makes them nervous so they just agree rather than disappoint him.

[@koleary1798]

Taking the slack outta your skin has to be the most meathead thing ever, that actually makes a lot of sense!

[@PaulOldmanstrength61Stephens]

3 against 1. You go JM! Well done.

[@johnscott3893]

"Shoulder packing". It's an established move for chest work which I read in M&F article by John Parillo c.30 yrs ago.

[@SD-iu1pm]

Good stuff !

[@ripd444]

Listen to this dude👊 Bench press is like Arm wrestling you have to learn how use leverage not just your arm 💪in arm wrestling but all your body and bench press use as less as possible your pectoral muscles and use triceps. Watch John hack he does it perfect, 578 pound bench Pause at 200 pound body weight

[@resellworld]

21:13 the harder you push down the more comes back into the bar

[@michaelyoung6837]

What do you have for deadlift

[@leonelcardona2353]

Is the second time i wach this and JM is a fk gentleman, i would like to se more

[@dcmars-]

34:46 hahaha

[@fumbiadegbesan5571]

danlej funny but who benches like he described?

[@coreyfearing7854]

I tried this tips, I felted weaker and back couldn’t bend that much but I got into the position but I felt weaker and not able to push the same amount of weights and I didn’t feel as secure for the base and platform to push off of

[@webbie592]

Genius JM

[@bobbyhill9830]

Does this help with benching for hypertrophy ? Full ROM, chest gains

[@thecastle09]

throwing shade at ted arcidi too.lol.

[@Glizzy.]

If he was coaching me he would be so pissed

[@coreyfearing7854]

Could this effectively help me put on size and strength

[@timhlifting]

i really like him

[@tylercoltonwpg]

I can’t believe he didn’t just throw his hands up and walk out at 38:59

[@stevencorry5790]

I wish I could do a 1" press

[@tommygun8722]

JM Blakely and Scott Mendelson. Two people that will likely never be on the same page due to having different styles.

[@ProdigyHighlights]

The Mindset has a bench move that ensures this position. The Gorilla Glute Press.

[@waynegraham7608]

I just do strongman. Starting prep for a comp in July and hopefully nationals in November. Won't touch a flat bench probably all year. Yet I'm sure I'd give about all the money ill spend in prep for just a couple hours with JM. Hes a gym God. No question

[@Daniel.Patrick.Walsh88]

(Leg Drive/Tooth Fairy) =LEG STABILISATION : Legs are used to push you up onto your traps, rear delts/shoulders. The real Force/Drive comes from the floor, bench, delts and traps through to the bar. All while keeping the shortest distance of range of motion. LEG STABILITY.

[@Michael-ok8zg]

JM was great as always, but I was really watching the beauty in black benching!!

[@RichardLDayton394]

Awesome video. I wonder how JM would change the 4 day Westside conjugate system.

[@maxxfury13]

Probably remove speed days first

[@RichardLDayton394]

@@maxxfury13 right? I wonder what he would replace it with? I'd be curious to know

[@SquatBenDeadlift]

Trey Dayton he would probably just replace it with 6x6-8x8-10x10. volume day maybe?

[@RichardLDayton394]

@@SquatBenDeadlift that was my first thought. I thought he mentioned in a previous video that he likes chains. And 75- 85 percent may be in those rep ranges. Would love to hear him talk about it with Dave about this

[@HarmonicGrunt]

@@maxxfury13 Dave Tate & Matt Wenning Still Do SpeedWork.

[@tomdavies9144]

I wonder what JM benches now?

[@HalfHotHalfCold]

Who is the female lifter at 38:07 that was talking to Dave Tate before JMB pulled her away as an example??

[@torynichols2413]

I've never heard that about Arcidi

[@shanli2693]

Basically you turn the flat bench into a decline bench... you just manipulate your body to make it happen.

[@nullvektor9922]

Well, he was a powerlifter. He's more concerned about the weight moved, not the best range of motion. This style is really not ideal for bodybuilders.

[@theylivewesee1674]

@@nullvektor9922 if you keep back arch normal and don't go to extremes and use narrower grip it would be ideal for pectoralis activation + retraction and depression of scapula, some bodybuilders don't know how to basic bench press

[@ShaneTumminello]

Nullvektor This isn’t a bodybuilding channel so what were you expecting?

[@mfa-FH]

Your missing the whole point.. its a shame..

[@Henry92899]

Nullvektor Bodybuilders should also be trying to lift the most weight possible, nobody should sacrifice proper form for an inch of extra ROM

[@EliasSmeeus]

Laughing at everyone's comments to his asking if he can touch. On a serious note, that is or should be standard practice for any coach with any client, every PT certification I've taken teaches that.

[@saulwest8254]

Have to be careful now a days.

[@davidec.4021]

Not now adays and not being careful, just being considerate, put the client/learner at ease and just being a gentleman. People see this as he’s scared of something, he is obviously just a considerate human being in this situation, as he explains while talking about his method of coaching. Great example. Learn kids, stop bitching around, you’re the only snowflakes

[@saulwest8254]

@@davidec.4021 Guess you're not familiar with the "Weinstein effect" or the "me too movement". en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weinstein_effect

[@trevordollinger6569]

@@saulwest8254 I'm sure he's heard of it. He's saying that trainers shouldn't only be respectful because of the risks, but because that's a part of being a professional, and that there's always been a professional and respectful way to work with clients, even long before any of these allegations in the news.

[@TheSelbaC]

What a fuckin' lad!

[@saulwest8254]

Setting up correctly makes so much difference, I can rep my 1 rep max for 3-4 reps just by copying what he's teaching in the video.

[@psychohippie2003]

So its not your 1rm then

[@saulwest8254]

@@psychohippie2003 my 1 Rep max varies depending on how I set up, the set up in the video (feet back, small back arch, retracted,scapula), definitely helps me generate the most power.

[@kncks3153]

Jm should do asmr I would watch it Not gonna lie, i enjoy his way of speaking, its pleasent

[@jorgec820]

Like how no one knows That’s yessica Martinez , she’s Team Elitefts. She’s legit and am sure she is listening and learning ..

[@nhpower1356]

Forearms are still HYUGE !!!!

[@snorlaxcom]

Easy to see why he barely needed wrist wraps.😂

[@absinthe-minded6089]

When did Ian McCarthy transition?

[@drinkinouttacups2665]

it girl to me

[@ImmortalStrengthPowerlifting]

With the new rules of over arching on the bench coming to 2023 would the more flexible lighter women have to have less of an arch for competition? or just apply the same concept but not as drastic? love the channel and the videos

[@snorlaxcom]

The extreme arch fat non lifters complain about is actually really rare to see in comps. It's also just an IPF ruling. If you do have an arch that doesn't meet elbow depth, then you can just flatten the arch a bit. Grip width may change, but wide grips are already optimized for cutting RoM.

[@alanwakeup3344]

7:44 TopG

[@JF-bc2lw]

Big girl is giving the cute girl some attitude.

[@BeaterCar]

did he invent the jm press? i know ill look stupid if he did.

[@HashtagHassan]

Yes

[@bryanstellfox8521]

Yes, and there's a good vintage video with him demonstrating it.

[@twistedtrailerparktales2126]

This is hilarious. The dude is one of the best bench pressers in history and on every David Goggins, 531, Strongman, even Bench groups on Facebook there is always one idiot that argues for three and a half days why you should not arch. Like awe gee whizz dude I didn't realize every bench press record holder is wrong and idiot I've never heard of has the real answers.

[@twistedtrailerparktales2126]

@Roger Vieira I agree but unlike every flat backer, archers aren't on every site calling flat backers a bunch of pu$$y's and pretending they know better than world record holders.

[@ghostoftheemishi8445]

Lmao I could imagine the snake oil salesmen lifting coaches be mad at these videos . It’s letting all the secrets out for free Lol that’s the way it should be instead of lying to people or making them buy the truth that’s really nothing more then common knowledge basics etc lol