13 year old girl benches 240 lbs

135

Replies

  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    touching your chest with the bar then moving it back up is a rep. Arching your back reduces the distance the bar has to travel to meet your chest. Its kinda cheating IMO but its accepted. Most people do it, obviously not as insanely as this girl though.

    very good explanation of why they arch their backs in the competition. Thanks :)

    It is not only for comps for ROM. You get a better leverage when you arch your back as you change the angle from where you are pressing. You cannot get as much power behind a press when you have a flat back.

    Yup. My back is never completely flat while benching.
  • ironmonkeystyle
    ironmonkeystyle Posts: 834 Member
    who cares about her form? She kicks *kitten*. Check this out for additional lifting inspiration: http://youtu.be/ilHRhAYS5d4
  • minizebu
    minizebu Posts: 2,716 Member
    Okay, I haven't read anyone else's responses, but I doubt I am the first to say this:

    I know zip, zero, zilch, nada about weight lifting, but even I can recognize that the arch in her back when she lifts the weight can not possibly be correct. That seems like a major injury waiting to happen. Why would anyone teach a child to lift weights in that manner?

    Again, I'm ignorant about weight lifting, but I was under the impression that one was meant to keep one's back on the bench when bench pressing.

    Cue the comments from people who say I am an idiot and should keep my mouth shut.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Okay, I haven't read anyone else's responses, but I doubt I am the first to say this:

    I know zip, zero, zilch, nada about weight lifting, but even I can recognize that the arch in her back when she lifts the weight can not possibly be correct. That seems like a major injury waiting to happen. Why would anyone teach a child to lift weights in that manner?

    Again, I'm ignorant about weight lifting, but I was under the impression that one was meant to keep one's back on the bench when bench pressing.

    Cue the comments from people who say I am an idiot and should keep my mouth shut.

    I would suggest you read the other responses then - from people who do know about lifting. In fact, there is a very nice explanation just a couple of posts above.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    Okay, I haven't read anyone else's responses, but I doubt I am the first to say this:

    I know zip, zero, zilch, nada about weight lifting, but even I can recognize that the arch in her back when she lifts the weight can not possibly be correct. That seems like a major injury waiting to happen. Why would anyone teach a child to lift weights in that manner?

    Again, I'm ignorant about weight lifting, but I was under the impression that one was meant to keep one's back on the bench when bench pressing.

    Cue the comments from people who say I am an idiot and should keep my mouth shut.

    Arching is actually safer because your entire body is locked into place. Your legs, abs, upper and lower back are all kept tight and provide a firm base for the lift. I'm not sure what is exactly going to get hurt with this form, there is no load on your spine to cause some kind of blowout like people seem to think. I've participated in and judged many meets, I've never seen anyone hurt their back benching. I see more injuries on deadlifts, and that is usually biceps or hamstrings.
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    That girl is awesome. I wish I kicked that much *kitten* at age 13 (or before--she's been setting records for a while now).

    The arched back thing is part of powerlifting technique.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/bench-press-technique.html
    http://www.allthingsgym.com/proper-powerlifting-bench-press-technique/
    http://www.violentheropowerlifting.com/Bench-Press-Chart-s/187-bench-press-technique-pt-1-arch.htm
  • Fr3shStrt
    Fr3shStrt Posts: 349 Member
    Wait, she's not bulky?!?!?!

    And I find it interesting that her spotter mostly was just there to hold her hair while she was setting up...


    yes! :heart: :heart: :heart:
    The dude pulling her pigtails back = awesome!
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    Wait, she's not bulky?!?!?!

    And I find it interesting that her spotter mostly was just there to hold her hair while she was setting up...


    yes! :heart: :heart: :heart:
    The dude pulling her pigtails back = awesome!

    I loved that, too! :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Okay, I haven't read anyone else's responses, but I doubt I am the first to say this:

    I know zip, zero, zilch, nada about weight lifting, but even I can recognize that the arch in her back when she lifts the weight can not possibly be correct. That seems like a major injury waiting to happen. Why would anyone teach a child to lift weights in that manner?

    Again, I'm ignorant about weight lifting, but I was under the impression that one was meant to keep one's back on the bench when bench pressing.

    Cue the comments from people who say I am an idiot and should keep my mouth shut.

    This is the problem with MFP, wrapped up in 1 post. People who don't know what they're talking about prefer to talk about what they don't know about rather than educate themselves.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I'm sorry this thread went this way. Went back and got caught up and now I'm just frustrated by the replies. One lady even thought the video is a fake. Ignorance stinks so badly.

    OP, this was a great inspiring post. But the general forum is full of derp to appreciate it. I invite you to check out some of the lifting-oriented groups on MFP.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/524-powerlifters
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/824-strength-training
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/128-bodybuilding
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/12869-girls-who-lift-the-guys-who-spot-them-

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress- (not a lifting group per se, but it's the place to go for no-nonsense info about fitness and nutrition)
  • LJCannon
    LJCannon Posts: 3,636 Member
    I could do that if I wanted to, but I don't wanna get bulky.


    ^^^
    LOL!!! That's MY Story!!
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    I'm sorry this thread went this way. Went back and got caught up and now I'm just frustrated by the replies. One lady even thought the video is a fake. Ignorance stinks so badly.

    OP, this was a great inspiring post. But the general forum is full of derp to appreciate it. I invite you to check out some of the lifting-oriented groups on MFP.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/524-powerlifters
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/824-strength-training
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/128-bodybuilding
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/12869-girls-who-lift-the-guys-who-spot-them-

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress- (not a lifting group per se, but it's the place to go for no-nonsense info about fitness and nutrition)

    MFP - Where no thread can stay on track! And ignorance of a topic is no bar to posting about it....
  • jillybeansalad
    jillybeansalad Posts: 239 Member
    What a badass. Respect.
    does she even........ act like a girl?

    What is that supposed to mean? You jelly?

    Yeah... he jelly.
  • Bonnieg318
    Bonnieg318 Posts: 156 Member
    Female power lifters don't bulk up like weight lifters do. My cousin is a world champion power lifter and you would never know she can lift what she does.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Cue the comments from people who say I am an idiot and should keep my mouth shut.

    Hey, you said it - not me.
  • Ashwee87
    Ashwee87 Posts: 695 Member
    @_@ Holy smokes Batman!
  • minizebu
    minizebu Posts: 2,716 Member
    I would suggest you read the other responses then - from people who do know about lifting. In fact, there is a very nice explanation just a couple of posts above.

    Thank you Sara, I have read danimalkeys's explanation of the technique now.

    I didn't have time to read the other responses before, because I was about to walk out the door. I reacted impulsively, and yes, admittedly, out of ignorance.

    My post this morning was the gut reaction of a mother viewing a scene that looked to me as if it could lead to the potential injury of a child.

    I have the exact same reaction when I see toddlers running with both hands in their pockets (having gone through the panic of one of mine nearly losing both front teeth after hitting the pavement without being able to break the fall), or when I see elementary bicyclists riding through stop signs. It looked dangerous to me and I blurted out a reaction.
    This is the problem with MFP, wrapped up in 1 post. People who don't know what they're talking about prefer to talk about what they don't know about rather than educate themselves.

    That is not the problem with MFP, taso42. That is human nature. People are reactive; people have opinions; sometimes people form opinions even in the absence of complete information. Welcome to the world.

    The girl's form still makes me cringe, but she is not my child, so I just need to chill my internal mother hen.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member

    That is not the problem with MFP, taso42. That is human nature. People are reactive; people have opinions; sometimes people form opinions even in the absence of complete information. Welcome to the world.

    The girl's form still makes me cringe, but she is not my child, so I just need to chill my internal mother hen.

    Well hopefully you've learned something. It would be nice if those mother hen instincts were calibrated to distinguish between actual dangerous behavior and excellent form and human accomplishment that should be commended.
  • LJSmith1989
    LJSmith1989 Posts: 650
    Thats amazing...

    I think people just feel intimidated by young females like this?
  • vinchass9
    vinchass9 Posts: 36
    To the doubters, can you even bench 240lbs?
  • Delicate
    Delicate Posts: 625 Member
    I will wait until she is older to admit a girl crush, her lifting with pigtails, hilarious!

    She is Russian, ofcourse she got taught perfect technique from comrade! (tee hee hee had to say it)

    I always found it hard to bench with a straight back, i'm glad i dont do it 'properly' now =/ (spend more time thinking of your back rather than where the bar is!)
  • LJSmith1989
    LJSmith1989 Posts: 650
    I will wait until she is older to admit a girl crush, her lifting with pigtails, hilarious!

    She is Russian, ofcourse she got taught perfect technique from comrade! (tee hee hee had to say it)

    I always found it hard to bench with a straight back, i'm glad i dont do it 'properly' now =/ (spend more time thinking of your back rather than where the bar is!)

    Isn't the curved spine apparently a legit way of doing it? especially for women? When I use the equipment at the gym I always push and curve my spine, its the only way I seem to be able to get enough power behind me to do it!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I will wait until she is older to admit a girl crush, her lifting with pigtails, hilarious!

    She is Russian, ofcourse she got taught perfect technique from comrade! (tee hee hee had to say it)

    I always found it hard to bench with a straight back, i'm glad i dont do it 'properly' now =/ (spend more time thinking of your back rather than where the bar is!)

    Isn't the curved spine apparently a legit way of doing it? especially for women? When I use the equipment at the gym I always push and curve my spine, its the only way I seem to be able to get enough power behind me to do it!

    It is a perfectly legit way of doing it. Women often have a more pronounced curve as they are more flexible.
  • Delicate
    Delicate Posts: 625 Member
    Isn't the curved spine apparently a legit way of doing it? especially for women? When I use the equipment at the gym I always push and curve my spine, its the only way I seem to be able to get enough power behind me to do it!

    Half the time, its the only way my feet can touch the floor ;( spine up seems more natural to me, but been told to straight spine it

    Hence the comment ^_~
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Isn't the curved spine apparently a legit way of doing it? especially for women? When I use the equipment at the gym I always push and curve my spine, its the only way I seem to be able to get enough power behind me to do it!

    Half the time, its the only way my feet can touch the floor ;( spine up seems more natural to me, but been told to straight spine it

    Hence the comment ^_~

    Arched back always for bench press. It doesn't have to be extreme like this powerlift video, but it should be arched. If you can't reach the floor, try putting some plates or blocks down so you have something to make contact with. Leg drive is another important, overlooked aspect in bench press.
  • Elf_Princess1210
    Elf_Princess1210 Posts: 895 Member
    Does anyone else need proof that girls will not get bulky when lifting heavy? This kid can bench ME! I need to start lifting.

    ETA: She's so cute! Especially with her pig tails, so :) I found it hard not to smile while watching her. I bet her parents are proud.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    Isn't the curved spine apparently a legit way of doing it? especially for women? When I use the equipment at the gym I always push and curve my spine, its the only way I seem to be able to get enough power behind me to do it!

    Half the time, its the only way my feet can touch the floor ;( spine up seems more natural to me, but been told to straight spine it

    Hence the comment ^_~

    Arched back always for bench press. It doesn't have to be extreme like this powerlift video, but it should be arched. If you can't reach the floor, try putting some plates or blocks down so you have something to make contact with. Leg drive is another important, overlooked aspect in bench press.

    I can only bench 115 but I definitely always arch my back... even if I hadn't researched proper form, I think it would have been instinctual.

    Edit: I forgot to mention I don't arch to that extent and my grip isn't nearly as wide but in a PL competition, you better believe I would do what is allowable under the rules.
  • LouLou_2013
    LouLou_2013 Posts: 11
    Ouch looks painful.

    Wouldn't let my daughter do it :/
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    Is that good to do that with her back arched like that?

Categories