The Perfect Bench Press Grip for Strength AND Stability with JM Blakley

[@WilliamsWrestlin]

JM is a phenomenal teacher. I love when he's on.

[@snorlaxcom]

A real bench guru

[@Emresinho]

Especially his voice could listen to him for hours

[@qpghostqp9551]

I got lucky enough to get to be trained by him in the near future

[@snorlaxcom]

@@qpghostqp9551 how?

[@qpghostqp9551]

@@snorlaxcom he use to train the one girl whos quite jacked in some of his videos at the gym I work at. I spoke to hime a couple times and a guy he knows who does youtube for a living asked me if I would be interested and obviously I said yes

[@donutfitness6324]

You guys should do a daily “10 minutes with JM” where he can just talk about life lessons lol.

[@Kyle111]

Check out the channel JM7thlevel. JMs channel pretty much fits the description of what you’re asking for. I didn’t know he had a channel for a while since it’s pretty small.

[@donutfitness6324]

@@Kyle111 no way!!!! I will check it out thank you!

[@giobautista975]

JM teaches so humbly and wisely, I feel like I'm being taught by the dad I never had

[@robertrosin5145]

Oh man this came just in time

[@prasahnttrehan]

This tip is so good..I was able to add 35 lbs instantly by incorporating this technique

[@woowaakim2070]

I'm Korean(south) and my english is bad. but I really want to appreciate your teaching. I had a trouble in bench press. when I do bench, always hurt my elbow or wrist or felt shoulder impingements. Now, My problem has gone perfectly by your teaching. Especially your way to grip is perfectly no hurt!!!! Thank you!! God bless you!!!

[@dryoochannel]

Im a fellow South Korean, Im glad you are using English.

[@snorlaxcom]

Hell yeah about time big boys train for a decent arch. Looking forward to the next video. Would like to see 74-83kg lifters on this channel and coaching for smaller body types.

[@stevesedgwick5789]

Wish I could arch with my old stiff back 😀

[@snorlaxcom]

@@stevesedgwick5789 Hopefully JM can drop some tips for you, bro. Arch can also save your shoulders.

[@stevesedgwick5789]

@@snorlaxcom - thanks pal, I hope to compete next year when I’m 60. So I guess I’m just old and stiff

[@UpstateGardening]

I’m 5’9, started In the 74kg and now in 83kg, I always have to modify things when bigger lifters get coached

[@narcissus79]

@@stevesedgwick5789 I've found wearing a 13mm lifting belt helps me brace enough to arch without cramping in my lower back..

[@bigmarkyc]

Love how he teaches like he’s telling a child’s story. So good 👍

[@APRBaller]

Wanted to give a quick thank you, had really bad pain in my right wrist after a working set and immediately went to work to correct it. Landed on your video after tirelessly trying to correct my wrist position but still having that sharp pain. Not only did I end up fixing the wrist pain, but I immediately noticed how much more of my chest I was using as soon as I made the correction, it’s insane. Again, thanks so much!

[@ronalddonnan99]

Why is this man the only one teaching people to not let the bar sit over nothing - how to keep the bar over the arm and to minimize need for wrist wraps. Awesome!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@JackgarPrime]

I was taught very quickly how important it is to make sure your grip is holding the bar right above the bones of your forearm. While in my case it takes the form of the pinch "bulldog" grip, it starts with the similar diamond hand formation. Whenever I've shown someone this kind of grip adjustment, they couldn't believe how much better it felt!

[@Alexander808.]

This dude is SO good at teaching, the analogy he’s uses makes everything make so much sense. Great video!!

[@toad4782]

This guy is immense, great energy about him. Props JM

[@antonioallen1763]

JM, I just came across this video. I don't know if you are still creating these videos but I will say thank you. I am still learning about developing strength and I know some of that has to do with grip, utilizing the angles that pertain to achieving the goal from the shortest distance and of course support. This was very important to listen and watch. Time to work on both my arch and grip.

[@Teamques]

I saved this video as I am rebuilding my bench after having wrist pain. The visual que is a game changer for me.

[@Emresinho]

Please continue with these videos, really like them !

[@eliteftsofficial]

We have more videos from this series coming soon!

[@darryltai7369]

Would like to hear JM narrate Audio books or a documentary. His voice is perfect for such.

[@Polack-ml9fh]

I remember being 13-14 when I first started lifting. Used to get every issue of powerlifting USA and look forward to reading JM’s column. Kept every issue. Wish that magazine was still around. Its content put all the other weight lifting magazines to shame. Thank you JM for what I learned 25 years ago!

[@gannypoo66]

It's wild how much of a difference this made. I haven't benched since watching this but i have strict pressed and it really does wonders.

[@ChristopherConti-c3c]

Best grip explanation I've ever heard.

[@ayaanlifts]

Never thought bench press could be so technical.

[@ggbrother8015]

I just wanted to watch a min of the vid on the grip but stayed for the voice. I don’t know who this man is but he’s got a soothing voice.

[@SteezySteez2011]

I just wanted to point out for anyone that, like me, flairs their elbows when trying this grip, he addresses this at around 8:05

[@stick4793]

Wow- what a great video- thank you for putting this together. This really changed my perspective on grip for bench. Something else I tried that helped me after watching this is walking up to the unloaded bar, behind it, close to a spotter/lift-off position. Then with one hand/arm, grip the bar and press the bar down into the rack/hooks with all your force, straight down. Then look at where the knurl marks are on your palm. That's the location where you can drive the most force and power into the bar. It's not on your upper palm finger pads. It's way down on the meat of your lower palm and really lines up with your ring finger. Thanks!

[@sunnysavinderjitsingh6066]

Absolutely incredible! Tremendous knowledge in such short instructional video. This is how it's supposed to be done. Old school way. It's amazing that even many seasoned lifters do it the incorrect way. Thank you for this video. Absolutely amazing! Keep it coming.

[@maciejszczudrawa7309]

Love how calm JM is :)

[@145scotty]

This is a game changer. JM is like the Yoda of benching.

[@teh_blazerer]

I had the bar position aligned properly, but the weight was resting too heavily on my thumb-side of my palm, causing that side to go numb! You mentioning that you had a callus on the opposite side(pinky side of the wrist) prompted me to more weight onto that side of my hand and that fixed my issue!! Thank you so much!!!!!

[@guardian2598]

You can edit this, but they don’t. Lol dude you’re awesome, I’m training my son and I can’t wait to start teaching him this method!

[@htchamber2776]

Good father

[@johnwoyurka5373]

JM is awesome and is so soft spoken for the legend he is.

[@PatounesTR]

this is by far the most informative video I saw on bench pressing, I had thumb and wrist pain and it helped me a lot thank you

[@delta07k]

Amazing tips from one of the best !!!

[@simay4977]

Love the vids with JM. He explains things so clearly its so easy to understand. I always learn something new.

[@user-ud2pu8ij6b]

JM, one of the best benchers of all time

[@dic4]

The explanation was awesome. I know this is going to help.

[@joeymunoz9046]

He's got a low key asmr voice, relaxing.

[@OG_Luciano]

Having flash backs of WCW and Rick Steiner 😂 great video! Definitely plan on using these tips thanks JM!

[@Stillwaters-t6b]

Coaching like this is invaluable!

[@eliteftsofficial]

It really is!

[@tlengam]

Wow. This is the great bench press video I see in the net. It has every technic I have learned and even more technic to help me.

[@saintnick0815]

MORE JM CONTENT, MORE VINTAGE film from when he was competing please.

[@greatnnawuchi4282]

Just what I needed😇

[@mitterben]

These videos are invaluable.

[@mikebutkus]

thank you JM and elitefts... I really needed these pointers.

[@austecon6818]

I have 6.2 inch wrists and I'd be screwed without this grip haha! I naturally figured this out by necessity really but good to see that I am on the right path!

[@zeehont6159]

JM is the Bob Ross in powerlifting

[@pizzawuff1773]

Wow... Never seen something so true...

[@MrRanch-fc2pe]

I’m 30 years old and should’ve learned this in high school. GREAT VIDEO!

[@mikeprata2976]

The first 30 seconds fixed me but I liked and watched for the algorithm

[@rakugothdajjal527]

2:40 Everyone gets the idea of less range of motion being beneficial. What I think some people don't understand is leverage matters way more. The best bencher in the world goes pinky on the rings for info

[@CrazyLocoInsane1]

Yeah and every ones leverages are going to be different so theres no real universal way to bench press.

[@Nishinga.]

This was awesome!! So well spoken and thorough with this information Thanks guys!

[@theswede5402]

Epic these bench videos lately, its an art form i constantly need to practice in order to perfect.

[@hamishbindrinkin]

what a great coach and teacher

[@RecallingHappines]

I throughly enjoyed this video and cannot wait to incorporate this in training

[@lukasjusko2808]

This video was just the best. Thanks JM and elite fts 🤘🤘

[@ask4144]

you're a such a good teacher.

[@ppearson35N]

Chest day tomorrow definitely gonna try these tips

[@deenel8700]

Wow I just got so much information! Love it. Thanks

[@AdrianGabriel-s9g]

Thanks JM , fantastic teacher

[@OldManArmStrength]

The diamond grip is the best. It feels like the closer to the chest that the bar gets, the tighter the form is. Lets you blast right out of the hole past the sticking point a lot easier.

[@M0lina2300]

Thank you so much JM you saved me from a lot of thumb and wrist pain

[@thebard20]

Cameraman so shook he almost dropped the camera. Phenomenonal video as usual love these grip tips it's something that's always frustrated my bench

[@andrewgilbert9637]

I'm maxing out on bench press tomorrow and this is perfect timing

[@Cwillz303]

Well, how did it go?

[@andrewgilbert9637]

@@Cwillz303 got 315 which is 30 pounds more than my last max a few months ago, very happy💪💪

[@Cwillz303]

Well done!

[@andrewgilbert9637]

@@Cwillz303 haha thanks man always nice to run in to a friendly personality on the internet

[@Nailey13]

What an amazing resource. Love this video!

[@Jeep_ty]

Such a calming voice.

[@jamesball7322]

Golden ,you may have just unlocked the door to my issue with the bench press Thank you very much ,I have chest in an hour and a half so I’ll be give n this a shot

[@jamesball7322]

@Tony Vendetta definitely an eye opener,I mean I’m no power lifter but it can help with building the body either way

[@johnhelms8226]

I’m not sure the extra wide grip works as well for raw benchers as for shirted benchers. Although the bar may travel a shorter distance, the wider grip means your triceps are not as directly engaged off the chest. So, although the distance is shorter, the biomechanics change. In a shirt, the shirt helps you off the chest. You don’t get the same assistance if you bench raw.

[@j.m.blakley4126]

Raw benchers benefit MORE. The rub is...YOU GOTTA BUILD SHOULDER STRENGTH! if a wide grip "feels" worse to you, get busy on shoulder strength. As for triceps drive from the chest...?. Hold a light bar or dumbell at your chest and flex your triceps. The triceps move the elbow joint only. They extend it. They lock out the lift, not begin it. There is no way to flex them to "help" get the bar off the chest. They would only move your forearm out to the side ,not up. Don't believe me? Try it. Yes, they stay " tight" but that's it. THIS IS WHY A CURSORY EDUCATION IN ANATOMY IS PRICELESS. Get on line and learn the muscles, what they do, and how they work. You will never regret a minute if it.

[@kalfaxplays7899]

i'd love to see you talk about the deadlift grip too.

[@ornulusoundeffects6423]

Very underrated channel

[@micheledauria9805]

Gold! Thanks, cheers from Italy

[@ANT-xo6wn]

This dude a legend🐐

[@shaf1ke]

I’m going to apply this same principle to my strict overhead press grip but obviously without the wide grip. Will report back soon

[@snbforever]

Thank you so very much for this great advice, I will immediately use this on my bench, and will report my successes 💪💪💪

[@talleshorta7277]

Awesome content . Thank you sir

[@jmr07019]

This is an awesome video ty so much

[@lorenzorivas2976]

I needed this today ❗️

[@mysticthi3f924]

This video really helped me out. Thank you.

[@weavingthevaluess]

dude compare this dudes attitude to mark rippetoe,,,, crazy,, this dude is so genuine, smart and nice. amazing teacher.

[@keithbouchard-kj7tp]

Wise man spot on!

[@adamspeckert7296]

This is incredible. Awesome video.

[@marchawco4888]

Rumour has it JM is a wizard

[@robbypersaud8522]

Amazing Video!! great tutorial

[@Lickmabumbum]

Gonna try this in training tomorrow 💪

[@ADRHYN]

That was awesome, so we'll spoken and to the point.

[@teepressifer]

JM is the Man!

[@LukeAshton-u5h]

Awesome techniques.

[@geevee9582]

Wow this video helped alot. Im a beginer when it comes to benching this morning im not sure how i had my wrist placed that when i lifted the weight, my wrist twisted and i dropped the weight on my right side. I will be using these tips next time i go back.

[@eliteftsofficial]

Great to hear!

[@TimeFlyingBy1884]

Coach JM, the gym that I go to only has Smith machines and dumbbells. Can I use the diamond grip on the Smith machine bench press? And how would I apply it to the dumbbell bench press? Thank you.

[@KOLETRAIN36]

Thank you JM

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

Dang... this guy explains it like nobody else. My kid could understand this.

[@marc-andretherrien1651]

I cant find the link to JM Chanel

[@eliteftsofficial]

kzbin.info/door/fPQP6Kds1Hlu2n8v-efq9A

[@saskilla1945]

This helped me Ivr known there was grip you have to do for full potential and energy to put behind the bar and my form has improved just by doing this still some working for my left side but I'm getting there slowly

[@bigdude6674]

You're a good coach. Wow💯🔥💯🔥👍

[@singleplystink3426]

would love to hear him teach the squat and deadlift too. v smart man.

[@UmarKhan-kk7sn]

This was deep. Awesome 🤘

[@rodbuster416]

I really like this video because I feel like it is going to help

[@geraldbarberan5206]

Best explanation . thank you.

[@willthomas7666]

These are the type of ppl,who know there shit and every little thing to help you be better,you'd be suprised at how the smallest changes can make some of the biggest differences

[@wpowolfpackinternational8346]

Mr JM what about the width on the bar for a taller person longer arms is it the same outside the ring too?

[@snorlaxcom]

He only references the ring for the sport of powerlifting that has a max width of 81cm.

[@stormsa-coming4315]

KING!

[@jritzeku]

Should grip width be dictated by ones shoulder width? Based on that what is even considered narrow vs wide. Im asssuming close grip press is about as narrow as u can get...but is a safe wide grip that isnt bad for shoulders?

[@rodrigoclassicstyle]

Just saw this video, i think he just solved the biggest problem i had with benching... thank you so much!! :)