Bench Tips from the Best in the World - Jen Thompson

[@cal5720]

she's not on tren, shes on jen

[@Massenomics]

@@cal5720 EXACTLY!

[@chrishornick4771]

Nailed it!

[@hackmasterHQ]

Maybe he's on Jen.

[@morphilou]

327 for 135 is impossible if natural

[@Massenomics]

@ WRONG

[@sunbeamcostrength]

I'm 52, and having been lifting since high school. After recently using Jen's program, Thompson's Gym, I added 35 lbs to my 1RM bench in 4 months, which at my age and experience level is ridiculous. Her techniques and advice really do work.

[@Massenomics]

@@sunbeamcostrength that's awesome!!

[@detroitdawg81]

Jen is such a nice genuine person, she gives honest advice!

[@Massenomics]

@@detroitdawg81 FACTS!

[@TheGuyBro9Six]

And she is a guy

[@TheGuyBro9Six]

@@Massenomics You're fraudulent

[@Massenomics]

@@TheGuyBro9Six in what way?

[@TheGuyBro9Six]

@@Massenomics You're not a women

[@Dave-kh2dj]

What a BADASS! That's awesome. You can tell by looking at her that she can move serious weight.

[@MAGAmaniac1000]

Finally someone who actually does a legitimate bench press. I see so many videos of people with their arms very spaced out and back highly arched lift the bar 3” from chest to lock out. It’s embarrassing they consider their lift to be legitimate

[@MillsOnWheels]

It's the rules of the sport... (Was) so how is it embarrassing?

[@fignewtoneater]

sounds legit to me

[@techunity1401]

@@MillsOnWheelsJust because you can sneak through the rules with loopholes doesn’t make it respectable.

[@raba2d723]

this is the clearest explanation for not using a close grip. Also a good visualization of the stacked wrist. thank you

[@dbrinson82ify]

That’s crazy that she can bench that much! That’s awesome 👏

[@TheWarren20]

Tell em Jen! Much respect to you and how you put that work in!

[@Gregbaltzer]

Im 54 and i benched the way you recommend all my life. A year ago i started having really bad shoulder pain. Did some research into it and had to stop benching thst way because of the pressure it puts on your shoulder joints. I started benching with a closer grip, concentating on keeping elbows in. After a year my shoulder is almost healed. True i cant power through a bench as much as i used to but i also dont have constant pain anymore either

[@sergiupobereznic]

Impressive. Great video and very informative. Jen's strong and very nice. I'm an ex ballet dancer, now 57 years old. In my early twenties I was able to bench 140 Kg for 2 reps at around 65 Kg body weight and 5 feet 9 inches tall. No PEDs, not that I could have afforded drugs on my crappy wages. I was too busy spending money on food. :) I was exceptionally low body fat as most male dancers are. I thought it was quite normal to lift that much until one of the bigger guys at the gym (1989, Jubilee Hall Gym, Covent Garden, London), told me it was an impressive bench. I'd been lifting regularly since I was 11 years old. My technique was similar, which I discovered through trial and error. I still bench the same amount but I do weigh 72 Kg now. That sort of weight can definitely be benched without Tren. It just takes a lot of work, time and dedication.

[@scottodonnell7121]

I don't lift much anymore. Age and injuries. But when I did this was exactly how I did it. The ring, the form, the shoulders and pecs. No one ever taught me, so I'm glad I was doing it right all those years.

[@nathantemple5173]

it's ok they wouldn't have taught you the right way anyway. A benchpress is ment to be flat back agaisnt the bench not the arch back declined bench press power I mean ego lifters use.

[@jeff8117]

Legitimate bench press advice from an expert!

[@Bucephalus84]

315 isn't that impressive

[@jeff8117]

@@Bucephalus84 When a gal who weighs less then 140 pounds does it(with text book form), it's beyond impressive.

[@Cultured_Barbarian]

Will Inuse any of these tips? Yes. 1. I currently use a false grip. That needs to change. 2. Will check my width today. Probably too close. What a cool lady. Very inspirational.

[@Massenomics]

@@Cultured_Barbarian she's the best!

[@ericfleet9602]

Man, what she did was amazing. She looks really lean and weighs less than me, but benches so much more than I do.

[@calleX]

Sick! Proper range of motion too. Mirrin hard.

[@larcm3]

Wow I have nothing but respect for a woman who can bench so much. Plus I learnt some useful tips. Thank you so much for this video. God bless

[@Massenomics]

@@larcm3 thank you for checking it out and the nice response!

[@Mack98421]

I got respect for any human that can bench that much, at any body weight.

[@srouse39]

I point everyone in the gym I can to Jen’s bench videos . Best bencher on the planet I believe . I’m a 52 yr old male who’s barely stronger than her on bench and 100 lbs + more body weight . Learned leg drive from her and it has helped tremendously.

[@Massenomics]

@@srouse39 yes she's the best!

[@marcd2743]

Something doesn't add up here.

[@flex863]

@@marcd2743Oh yeah, what’s that??

[@wolfjouett2048]

Always forgetting to tuck the shoulder as I go through my reps, particularly later in my sets...good advice and video. Congrats on your records.

[@gelobledo]

This is impressive. Most people I see at competitions benching over 300 are fat guys moving the bar 2 inches then bouncing off their belly while using compression straps to help. Or people arching their backs to unnatural positions and again only benching a few inches. This is a real bench press and I urge all competitions to make people go full range. Jen is awesome.

[@gcstrengthsystems]

Just in time for my bench day tomorrow

[@Massenomics]

@@gcstrengthsystems we knew

[@tonykelpie]

It is also true that at full extension a wide grip requires the weight to be raised by a shorter distance; this is basic trigonometry

[@mikemoore2791]

So. She weighs 18 kg less than me and benches around 70% of my DL. Ima listen to her.

[@Massenomics]

@@mikemoore2791 YUP!

[@mattarndt4452]

I did 325 at 179 lbs in competition. It is hard to believe she can bench that. It probably is her great technique, along with great strength. very impressive!

[@dinkblack2637]

That’s super impressive 💪👍👍👍

[@TallShawnNetwork]

About to put this to test

[@ZacktheImpaler]

I've competed alongside her a few times, she's so strong and such a pro for how sweet and adorable she it

[@TheShanehansel]

That's wild, I would never expect such a bench press out of such a small gal.. it makes me feel bad about my own bench lol I'll definitely try the wider grip though, if someone with a smaller stature is using a wider grip than I currently am, I think that would suggest I am using too narrow of a grip (pinkies just inside the first rings)

[@thatswildokay]

Small? Look how gigantic her hands and arms are xD She has bigger hands than you, her grip strength is absolutely remarkable.

[@TheShanehansel]

@@thatswildokay Pretty sure they said she was 5'5"... that's not terribly large by any standard lol

[@KhattaRapidus]

Don't, you just have to take care of your health and ignore the haters, learn what she did. Then you can bench more than her over time. She's nothing. Just go slow progressive overload and one day you will Quinstot her record, even if by few pounds.

[@KhattaRapidus]

@@thatswildokay She still is the one who gets pregnant, no excuses. You do NOT have to go hella fast and kill yourself, literally dying. You could just go carefully slowly over time. You're a man and you have natural testosterone.

[@thatswildokay]

Do you think tall means strong or something? Jfc, she couldn't have bigger arms or hands at her size. I guess if you have no formal understanding of what strength is you might come to your conclusion xD

[@faizalmohammed9874]

Wide grip hurts my left rotator cuff. Close grip is pain free.

[@Massenomics]

Close grip seems like the easy right choice in that case!

[@jakeyell]

The great thing about lifting, is that the are few bars to entry; whatever stance, etc... works best with your anatomy is great. I love that...:)

[@faizalmohammed9874]

@@Massenomics thank you.

[@faizalmohammed9874]

@@jakeyell Yes. The Beauty of lifting.

[@78matt]

Most big benchers bench close.

[@nowayjose596]

Definitely want to know where she got that shirt 😁

[@Massenomics]

@@nowayjose596 Massenomics.com... but we don't sell that one currently

[@muzzi._.23]

i literally came back after practising what she said and it worked. i could do 5 reps of 60kg and i did 8 for me its an achievement

[@Massenomics]

@@muzzi._.23 that's awesome thanks for reporting back!!

[@glenntimmons1673]

Thx u ,jenn.

[@MattZYN-v1m]

If I had seen this before lifting this morning I'm sure I would have finally been stronger

[@Massenomics]

@@MattZYN-v1m the missing link!!

[@memphisreines]

@Massenomics how to avoid impingement, what inclined degrees avoids shoulder pain the most?

[@fwiffo42]

My max bench just went up 30 lbs after watching this video!

[@Massenomics]

@@fwiffo42 can't say I'm surprised!

[@dexm2010]

Jen Thompson = *LEGEND* I was a bit surprised she's only 5'5" . She looks like she's a lot taller than that, but I guess everyone looks taller on tv/the internet.

[@keithhoneycutt2324]

Jen bench’s more than most of us. Me included. I do disagree about the risk reward to a super wide bench press for me personally. 2 separate times over the years I tried blocks with a relatively wider grip and strained a pec both times so never again

[@Mrwatson185]

More than me too no shame haha. For me I learned from the get go to bench wide so it is second nature for me. I don’t think there is right or wrong though, both push a lot of weight for different people

[@drinkinouttacups2665]

Yup pinky on the ring is as far as I can tolerate without getting tears

[@Jafmanz]

​@drinkinouttacups2665 so stretch your pecs over time......

[@mikea4015]

You have to be willing to drop the weight down enough to build strength up in the wider grip position, probably have to play around in the 60 to 70% of the 1rpm and be patient with the progress. The ego takes a hit for a while, but you eventually come out ahead in the end.

[@Jafmanz]

@mikea4015 excellent advice

[@LulaTheStampede]

makes me want to bench

[@joerizzo53]

She has perfect mechanics for benching.

[@aresiusm621]

Inconsistent Madcow here! Weak a$$ M lol. Can squat 140kg 😊 Only managed twice a week for 3 years. 5 months off or week here and there in that time. Several deloads, couple injuries. Back at 80kg x 5 bench. How long did it take to get to 140kg? Wish I could there 😮. Well done!

[@Antony.Martinez]

Guess I’m benching today

[@Massenomics]

@@Antony.Martinez can't afford not to!

[@robertt9342]

And she has actual ROM…. Impressive!

[@Thereallevan]

This lady has strong Sarychev vibes great technique

[@PeteCerqua]

How many times per week do you bench? What is your workout schedule?

[@Massenomics]

Jen may see this and respond. We talked a bit about her programming. From what I understood she had a primary bench day, and then a second day that was bench variation. We did variation day with her using a slingshot.

[@PeteCerqua]

Thank you for responding. I saw on another video with her she does an upper/ lower split with two days on and two days off on an 8 day schedule. Genius and well thought out.

[@gynat5968]

Cheers Ms., Impressive as f***k, Damn fine job!

[@tombray3169]

I'm 5,3 59 years old I have trouble with the bar height and bench height .I have short legs and can t arch .I seen when she did the 335 lbs the bench was higher and her arch wasn t as good but she still did her most .I can press 265 on the smith at 135lbs but only 205 loose weight because I can t arch if I keep my feet on the bench I have very little balance .my highest was 225 loose weight at 115lbs at 17 years old in 1982

[@perriponders289]

It is interesting how the best in the world use different techniques. Julius Maddox says your arms should be at the width you do push ups which is actually tighter in. Larry Wheels says to tuck your elbows in, not out. And all of you are amazing at what you do, just interesting how a lot of this contradicts each other. Of anyone I've ever seen I think you are about the most amazing bencher.

[@dnbanb]

When Tren needs to get big, he does 6 week Jen cycles

[@t.s.9656]

It's so nice to see a woman bench pressing without that ridiculous hyper arch in her back. At the same time she represents herself as a respectful person who doesn't blow her horn.

[@alexnewcombe5519]

Elite

[@Massenomics]

@@alexnewcombe5519 he best of the best

[@yehsayafarron8554]

I’m looking to grow mostly my shoulders, yes, I do arms and chest and legs and a little back also but I’m concentrating on shoulders 3x week shoulders 1 hour per session Seems to maybe hit a plateau?? Any suggestions Maybe new shoulder exercise ?

[@jamesfahy9954]

2 sessions not 3.

[@Saturn-Matrix]

Obviously you can do more with a wider grip because it uses more lqrgr chest muscles, less range of motion, relies less on triceps.

[@JohnUrbanic-m3q]

If you are a normal person, ask yourself who has more valuable advice? A steroid monster, using a bench shirt and not even moving twice their weight. Or, this woman, who looks healthy and just sits down and pushes more than most people could dream of. This woman is the true guru. Even if I - kinda - disagree with her about grip width ;)

[@trillrudeboy]

Pecs are stronger and.... moving your arms out decreases the distance you have to move the bar. It's like decreasing the race track length.

[@southpawje]

I’m 5-5 also (m), I also put my ring fingers on the rings 😃

[@DerickCross34]

How wide do you guys go?

[@strammerdetlef]

just so it doesnt hurt. lube also helps

[@smilsmff]

Plus Spotter has to be perfect. A perfect fit bench safety bars perfect rest periods and routines

[@miketracy9256]

MOST CAN BENCH MORE WEIGHT WITH A WIDE GRIP BUT THE RISK OF INJURY IN MUCH HIGHER.

[@JeffO-]

Anything to back this up?

[@Gregbaltzer]

Its true. The wider your grip the more pressure it puts on yout shoulder joints. I benched how she did most if my life and developed bad shoulder pain. I had to learn to bench closer grip because it will bring your elbows in and take pressue of the shoulder. My shoulder is almost healed after a year but cant power through a bench anymore. Im 54 now do benching this way may be fine wben toure young but eventually it will wear on your joints​@@JeffO-

[@JeffO-]

@@Gregbaltzer Wide grip, elbows out bench is done as an accessory for powerlifting, or barbell to the neck with shoulders flared for putting more stress on the pecs for bodybuilding. Especially if someone starts out doing it this way and they are accustomed to it, there is no evidence it is a problem. Because it hurt for a few people when they tried it, doesn't mean it hurts for all. If it hurts, certainly don't do it that way. If it doesn't, there is nothing inherently wrong with it. I have a feeling I'm talking to the wrong crowd though. Again, see Greg Nuckols articles on bench press.

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@JeffO- did you read what I said? I said I did this most of my life. So I wasn't new to it. It puts lots of pressure on the shoulder joints. Lots of pro body builders including Dr. Mike, recommend elbows in because it takes pressure off the shoulders joint After I switched to elbows in my shoulder started to heal. This method can be bad for your shoulder joints over time. I benched like this for almost 40 years before I switched. You don't have to believe it, but it's true

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@JeffO- you may be fine doing this for a long time but eventually it will wear on your joints.

[@darockiscooking9936]

You press where your strongest. It's preference not about chest or triceps

[@BrandonLeech]

Oh she looks like somebody who has the arms and shoulders to bench 3 plates. I got pretty close in high school but knew a couple 17 or 18 year old guys who could legit do it and they didn't look like guys who took steroids. It's a tougher milestone than you think for an average 170--190 lb male but she is probably pound for pound one of the most impressive benchers in the world.

[@Massenomics]

@@BrandonLeech yes she absolutely is!

[@mickjones2871]

Just curious how old/young she is.

[@Massenomics]

@@mickjones2871 she is in her early 50's

[@mickjones2871]

@Massenomics thanks. That's very inspiring. I'm a 53 yr old male w nowhere near that strength. So glad she talked about her techniques. She's a beast!

[@zellerized]

👍👍 sounds like a real woman. Very attractive personality

[@battlebotts]

Bench shirt?

[@bastikickl3828]

Mat Wenning leaves the Chat.

[@natew5544]

i havent benched since high school

[@carps_gym]

No Tren, Just Jen

[@Bknorrski]

Powerlifters ya know

[@tommymcpheemusic7745]

I'm 5''7" with a 6' wingspan... wider than 90 degrees is probably all the way at my belly button, if even possible 🤣

[@thomasking1149]

Jen Thompson is the best bench presser in the world?

[@richardarena5281]

You should never put weight on the bar, until you can bench the bar for 100 reps..And bring the bar down as slowly as you can...You want blood pumping through the muscles first and foremost..Strength comes from many reps in the beginning 😊

[@Geminias]

I don't really buy that explanation... I do buy that for decades, the queues given on the internet and in magazines is to not allow the elbows to flare. Shallower grips ensure that flare is minimalized.

[@DP-ce1sd]

Take tips on how to injury your back

[@stevenwilson8718]

I'm up to 140lbs now! Lol!

[@Massenomics]

@@stevenwilson8718 brick by brick!!

[@mikeking1870]

Damn im twice her size and i cant get that

[@CapAnson12345]

She has a nice amount of muscle without looking beastly.

[@MikeTrujillo-n8p]

I can bench 500 pounds! No problem? 🏋️

[@roywells5790]

Very sweet woman great athlete

[@strammerdetlef]

i bench more

[@Massenomics]

Cool

[@matemilinkovic6352]

I want to hit the gym so I can atleast bench more than the world record for womens bench.

[@ericfleet9602]

Not many men can... not me for sure.

[@WH-sz3bh]

To believe she didn't use PEDs to reach her peak is silly. She's a great bencher, but it's getting old hearing people who hold world records in their event pretend natty. What she's saying is that she is the best in the world at this, and is able to outlift those that use PEDs. Sure...

[@nukemall3678]

Rad shirt. They suck for discontinuing it.

[@TheTehrancarroll]

She has big hands for a short woman

[@bensisko2443]

drink a gallon of milk everyday

[@Massenomics]

@@bensisko2443 GOMAD

[@JeffO-]

And carry the jug everywhere you go.

[@tylerrohn6938]

She is for sure on tren

[@jasonwareing905]

She lost me at advising not to bench too close.

[@itzpookiie]

Because you’ll be working your triceps more than your chest. Which is what she said

[@rickgrebenikpuggles56]

She cheated by using bench shirt???

[@CampH-s4g]

Bud light shirts are gay.

[@TheGuyBro9Six]

LOL Jen T is a guy. It's obvious!

[@ALLforROME]

LOL! These trans people are outta control. Everybody know's Jen is a Ken....c'mon man 😂

[@PuppetMasterdaath144]

please stop

[@MAXIMUS.1]

Good Monday to you. Bench life. 🫡

[@Massenomics]

@@MAXIMUS.1 🍻

[@Contemplator24]

Wow. I feel so inadequate after watching this.