Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted January 17, 2012 Supporting Member Share Posted January 17, 2012 As I was struggling to complete my 3rd set of 85 lbs on the bench this last weekend, I had a strange thought that is a mix of self-mocking and self-congratulation: Is it possible that I have THE worst bench press of anybody who has ever run a tournament -38? Can anybody claim worse? It occured to me that maybe one of the women who has run it could be worse at bench press than I am, but then again Regina Jacquess can probably bench my 85lb bar with me sitting on top of it... In a few weeks, I'll probably hit my static strength peak and do sets of 10 at NINEty-five lbs. Woohoo!! As you can tell, found myself a little bored at the gym... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 17, 2012 Good thing not much chest/tricep involvement in slalom skiing! I've got the open men single rep record in MN at 440.6 lbs in the 198 lb class...but you and I ski about the same. It's a pretty useless lift, really. If you want a bigger bench, shoot me a PM. Don't sweat it and run some more tourney 38's next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted January 17, 2012 Author Supporting Member Share Posted January 17, 2012 Thanks! But, no, I don't think I'm gonna work too hard on my bench. For me, it's just a way to quickly hit a whole bunch of muscles that are kind of dual to the ones used most in skiing. I actually almost never see anyone bench less than I do, but I kinda figure that's because anyone whose chest/tri is this weak thinks they'll look silly on a bench. I have no fear of looking silly!! One disadvantage I have is that my arms are very long. So I had to pick a sport where that was a good thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 17, 2012 Those long arms gotta help for skiing...take that over a big bench at this point and run! More buoys, more buoys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted January 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 17, 2012 Hadn't benched in years but me and my youngen just joined a health club. He put 175 on and benched 8 or 9 times, and then thought he would see what the ol man could do. I was around 15 or 16 very rusty reps. I guess there is still a little horsepower left in the 52 year old motor. Pushups in the morning must have done something. Back in college I closed in on the 300 lb club but fell a little short when my training partner moved out of town. I was probably 180 ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted January 18, 2012 Baller_ Share Posted January 18, 2012 At the rock climbing place my buddy and I went to there was some free weights. He benched really big plates on the bar while I pressed the little ones. I couldn't be more week in the chest. But I've run 5 @38 in tourney and run 39 in practice (once). He is still long line and slow speed. I'll take short line over big plates any day of the week. On a more serios note: do any of you feel that doing things like bench press or other weight training of muscles that are NOT involved while skiing balances things/the body and in a way lessons injuries?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Onside135 Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 @Wish...Which muscles are not involved while skiing? I understand that most of us are not actively trying to push the boat away with the handle, but the bench press specifically is still an important lift. When done properly, the bench press can engage core muscles and even some leg muscles. More importantly for bouy chasing it is necessary for core strength, balance, and symmetry. We would look silly and likely have future issues if all we did was lift back and biceps. You can't optimize the strength of your back and bicep muscles without equally proportioned chest and tricep muscles. On a related note...I've heard Kyle Tate (2011 Big Dawg) recommends "cleans" as one of the most relative lifts for slalom types... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 Kris Lapoint once told us in a clinic at our lake that skiing is all about pulling and you need to push to maintain muscle balance. Can also help elbow problems, etc.. If your forearms are only in pulling mode, they can get out of whack and cause elbow issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EF23 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 wow! you guys are weak!!! lol..... Just bustn balls! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EF23 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 6 Balls, your a stud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jackski Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 @onside135 - I agree 100%, plus being an old guy, I will say that balancing all the muscles will also help from rep strain injuries as you get older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 Onside 135, I think there is a difference between doing something to keep your chest, tri's, front delts in shape vs. pushing massive weight in terms of benefit to slalom. It's important to train those muscles, but they are not the primary slalom movers. Doing push-ups or what Than is doing is probably fine. As a winter gym rat, here's the example: I lift only in the fall/winter/spring. In summer no time for lifting plus skiing. After 4-5 months of slalom and no gym I walk back in and can step right up to seriously heavy shoulder, bicep, back and leg work...slalom keeps these in shape. My chest, front delts, and triceps go to hell every summer b/c skiing doesn't hit them hard enough. In the fall I will be down 150 lbs on bench vs. spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted January 18, 2012 Baller_ Share Posted January 18, 2012 About the time Sammy D. was jumping in the two teens, in other words (as I recall) , before he went 220, but not long before, he was strength tested. Turned out he was about average in leg strength. Not average for an elite athlete, not average for an average athlete, but average for a man his age. Nevertheless, he was one of the top jumpers in the world, and had been a top three event skier. Conclusion: There is more to the equation than what you can do in the gym. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 Yep, keep it all in shape and work your core, don't worry about the pounds pushed. Good shape and great technique trumps serious power and adequate technique...trust me I'm the latter and trying to become the former. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntq206 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 One of the best things I ever did in my years of weight training was to switch to free weights for all presses. Esp. shoulder presses. (BTW, NEVER use barbells for shoulder presses unless you want permanent shoulder damage.....) Free weights really develop the balance muscles and overall core strength. These balance muscle development makes a BIG difference in all sporting activities outside of weight training. It's more than just balance strength - it trains the mind to coordinate that balance with heavy loads. In addition, free weights allow for the natural rotation of joints through your range of motion. After several years, these things make a huge overall difference. My .2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Onside135 Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 @6balls....I can certainly agree that the benefits of pushing massive weight are minimal...in most aspects of life really. Far more applicable are body weight exercises and strength to weight ratio performance, but I think we had a whole thread on this recently. Personally I've always focused mostly on form, high reps, and heart rate when lifting. With reference to Wish's question, I was just explaining that I do feel it is essential to work out muscle groups that we generally don't think of as being skiing related. Seems like we agree that just like marathon runners throw up weights or cross train once in a while, the aspiring slalom skiier might benefit from a comprehensive workout. This does not necessarily even need to include weights, as you point out. Pull ups, sit-ups, push ups, and running can be enough for most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Razorskier1 Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 The only reason I bench press in the offseason is that it is fun. With neck surgery coming up Friday I have pretty much reached my high point for the offseason. Last Saturday I did 4 sets of 4 reps at 305lbs. On Monday I did 4 sets of 10 reps at 225lbs. I also do a set of 50-70 push ups and 50 "band squats" every morning before work. The band squats I highly recommend (Todd R had a picture of it in Water Ski mag last spring, I think). Works every part of your legs, glutes, and core. Perfect ski exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ctsmith Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 Razor, what type of band do you use for the squats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Steven_Haines Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 Id get squashed like a little girl if I tried to push 305!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 Razor's boy is 18 y.o. and pushed 4 sets of 4 at 345 last weekend. He has the MN record in his division and is looking to push it up further this year. He crushed the prior record last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Razorskier1 Posted January 18, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 18, 2012 ctsmith -- I use the #4 and # 5 bands for squats standing on one of those half ball things (bosu?) upside-down. Full motion from very deep all the way back up. http://www.prowriststraps.com/bands_powerlifting_weight_lifting_band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klundell Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 @Than I must say I think you might have the record on that one! :) But I too would take buoys over plates any day of the week. @onside135 I definitely agree with Kyle Tate on that one. I started Crossfit during the last off season and we do quite a bit of Oly lifting. Cleans are a great movement for waterskiers. It is a movement that requires speed, quickness, balance, and power. Sounds a bit like trying to transmit forces from a boat to a ski? I had a great season this year and attribute a lot of it to my off season training. I'm doing a lot more this off season so we shall see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 FWIW- I believe high rep bench, squats and lunges are about the best metabolism exercizes there are. They burn lots of calories, increase core strength, and I believe the repeated accomodation of the muscle recovery phase helps prevent some injuries and shortens recovery from (any) injuries you do sustain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 454SS Posted January 22, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 22, 2012 I would recommend doing some sort of weight lifting even if the weight isn't very much, it will help you develop a mind-muscle connection that will help you tremendously in other sports even if your strength is below average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 28, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 28, 2012 315 lbs today for 4 sets of 4 reps...it's starting to come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted January 29, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2012 Great! When you fall you'll be able to easily get back on the platform then into the boat. Of course you'll probably pull a muscle pulling on your bindings! : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 29, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2012 Thager, you've seen how much trouble I have pulling, right? : ) Today was push day, tomorrow is pull day. Something has to keep me going during a MN winter, and it's the weight room. Can't wait for the melt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted January 29, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2012 I know what you mean. Last year I got some old snowmobiles to help the winter pass. This year no snow! Now I ice fish but most of the time no fish. My work outs are low weight high reps. Never really worked hard on bench pressing. My college coach thought it was only good for getting off the ground when you blew your assignment and that kind of stuck with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 29, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2012 Your coach is mostly right, but it is kinda fun and a constant challenge when moving up in weight every week still trying to crack out 4 sets of 4. I do lots of other stuff higher reps and am trying to keep core in check this winter. Have gained a few pounds I also look to pull back off over the next month or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted January 29, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2012 My coach was/is kind of different. Successful though. Education first. Practice in helmet, shoulder pads, and gym shorts. No contact and everything at 1/2 speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Than- My trainers have all recommended dips- un-weighted and weighted to build your bench press capacity, I do them either arm or chest days as secondary exercize(s). As a ski specific exercize... it MAY help you- in my case there may be no such exercize... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2012 I like dips, too. On chest day I do 4 sets bench, one set dumbell presses, then one set weighted dips w/a couple of 45's strapped to my belt. One set tricep press downs and call it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted January 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2012 Than I am not as good as you but from a strength to weight ratio you probably have me beat. I am only good for about 8 dips without some help. I will be better by the time the season runs around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted January 30, 2012 Author Supporting Member Share Posted January 30, 2012 Ugh -- dips are even less fun than bench press. But that's a good idea, I must admit. Yesterday I saw someone bench less than I. Of course, she was about 5'2" / 110lbs, but I'm countin' it! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Triplett Posted January 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2012 I cannot bench press much at all, nor do I very often. I feel a dumbbell press is more effective. I do some Olympic type presses and lifts. They engage core in every exercise and work nearly every muscle you can think of. I have heard that crossfit is really good for this sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted January 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2012 I agree with Brent on this one. Dumbbell press is a way more effective work out. In my 7 years as a competitive I have never bench pressed a single time. Always dumbbell, its just a more even workout for your body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Triplett Posted January 30, 2012 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2012 My philosophy behind it is the more degrees of freedom the weight your lifting has the more benefits you get out of lifting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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