Bench Press with Chains Instructions
- Adjust the leader chain, shortening it to the desired length.Place the chains on the sleeves of the bar.
- Lying on the bench, get your head beyond the bar if possible. ...
- Pull the bar out of the rack without protracting your shoulders. ...
- Pause when the barbell touches your torso, and then drive the bar up with as much force as possible. ...
What is the point of putting chains on bench press?
WHY USE LIFTING CHAINS IN YOUR ROUTINES? The most important benefit of lifting chains is that they simply match your lifting leverages. That means that the resistance is lightest when your leverage is at its weakest and it gradually increase as your leverage improves. Think about the Bench Press for example.
How do you put chains on bench press?
1:328:53How to set up chains properly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI have to wait at the bar which is 45 pounds and maybe an extra 5 or 10 pounds from the chain. AndMoreI have to wait at the bar which is 45 pounds and maybe an extra 5 or 10 pounds from the chain. And obviously this will be on both sides as. I press up watch what happens with the chain.
Should I bench with chains?
The chains will force you to lift hard and fast, in order to complete the rep. For speed training, performing 5-10 sets of 1-3 reps on variations of the squat, bench and deadlift works best. If you're generally a 'slower' lifter, you'll benefit greatly from working in some speed training with chains.
What does lifting with chains do?
Since we will be mostly talking about the squat with weightlifters I'll use that for example. Adding chains to the bar on a squat gradually increases the load as you move from the bottom of the squat (chains on floor = no load) to the top (top = heaviest, because all chain links are off the floor).
Are chains hard to put on?
For starters, they're a pain to attach to the car. The chains must be laid out in front of the tire and then the car must be driven over them. It can also be difficult to reach under a car's fender to fasten the chains. And to add to the hassle, drivers have to remove tire chains once they reach a clear path of road.
Where do you put chains on?
1:033:48Safety First: 8 Steps to Installing Winter Tire Chains - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd give us a little more traction. I'm just going to make sure our fasteners both sides of the tireMoreAnd give us a little more traction. I'm just going to make sure our fasteners both sides of the tire.
Are chains stronger than ropes?
Strength, Load Capacities, and Work Environments Overall, wire rope is stronger than chain. The multi-strands of continuous wires give wire rope its strength, whereas a chain is joined together with links. These joins are the weakest part of a chain and can break under heavy loads.
How long should chains be for bench press?
Each loading chain should be 6.5 feet long. Buy a pair of small carabineers. You'll use these to regulate the length of the loading chains, so make sure these carabineers fit through the links of your loading chains. Buy a good quality carabineer for each of your heavy chains.
Are chains or bands better?
Simply put, bands will lower the bar faster than chains and will help you build more kinetic energy in your body, which can be used for reversal strength. Bands will help build explosive strength.
Why do people bite their chains when lifting?
Bottom Line. Powerlifters use mouthguards to protect their teeth, jaws, and facial muscles. Studies have shown that an increase in strength is possible by biting down during lifts.
Should you lift with chains?
Adding chains and bands to lifts can improve lifting technique, bar speed, and help you break through sticking points. Adding bands and chains to your main lifts can provide a different training stimulus to take your strength and power to new heights.
Are chains good for lifting?
Final Word. Lifting chains are useful pieces of equipment that can be incorporated into a variety of exercises at the gym. Typically, lifters will reach for chains when they want to break through sticking points and improve their top-end lifting potential.
How do you put on chains easily?
0:373:51Tire Chain Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold up your first chain by the plastic covered cable put the yellow end in your left hand and theMoreHold up your first chain by the plastic covered cable put the yellow end in your left hand and the blue end in your right. Hand hold them up in front of you and make sure everything is hanging.
How do you attach a chain to a barbell?
2:053:49How To Use Chains (repost) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I would do is hook the chain up like this it'd. Probably be much lower than that. Let's sayMoreSo what I would do is hook the chain up like this it'd. Probably be much lower than that. Let's say that works for me. So when I unwrap the bar. So when I unwrap the bar.
How do you hang chains?
1:315:04Les Schwab: How to Install Quick-Fit Snow Chains - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPush the connected chain over the top of the tire. See the diamond shape and the chains. BetweenMorePush the connected chain over the top of the tire. See the diamond shape and the chains. Between each of those diamonds is the center rail which should be placed on the middle of the tire tread.
Where do you put the bands on bench press?
2:178:44How to Speed Bench Press with Bands (Full Progression) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom that bar out to the band. So when you unwrap the bar. It's gonna be straight up and downMoreFrom that bar out to the band. So when you unwrap the bar. It's gonna be straight up and down straight down his bar path when he's bench pressing.
What is bench press with chains?
Exercise Purpose: Pectorals. Bench pressing with chains is a powerlifting technique , however it can be used by any weightlifter to strengthen your bench press. Since you will be lifting greater weight, you will also be stacking muscle mass to your frame. This technique will do a number of things for your bench press training program:
How to connect weightlifting chain to barbell?
Connector chains. Connecting to the Barbell: Simply loop your connector chain over the end of the barbell. You can then connect your weightlifting chain directly to the connector chain, or even simply feed it through the loop of the connector chain. Loop the connector chain around the barbell and adjust the length.
What chain do you need to hang a barbell?
A 5′ length of connecting chain will be more than you will need for the bench press, but will allow you to use it for squatting with chains as well. Connector chains.
Why do barbell chains slide off?
Since the chains are unstable, if they are not well secured, they are more likely to slide off one end of the barbell than a weight plate is . This could leave your bar weight significantly unbalanced and lead to injury. Make sure your chains are well secured on the bar with a collar.
How much weight can a 5/8 chain lift?
Chains: An effective lifting chain is a 5′ section of 5/8″ chain. This averages approximately 20lbs (9kg) in weight per section. It is good practice to weigh your chains so you know how much weight you’re adding.
How to increase weight in a locked out position?
In the locked out position, the first chain link should just brush the floor. With the bar at the chest, you want the maximum amount of chain to ‘pile’ . If the chain is adjusted too high, the bar will be on its way down before chain begins piling on the floor. This will increase the weight at your chest.
What happens if you adjust the chain on a bar?
If the chain is adjusted to low, it will already be piling on the floor before the bar descends. You will not get the full weight of the bar and chain at lockout.
What is the easiest lift to assemble chains?
Let's start with the easiest lift with which to assemble chains, the deadlift.
How effective are chain training tools?
Categorized under Training. Chains are highly effective for building speed, strength, and power. In fact, there isn’t another “tool” I know of that you can use just once and actually see (and feel) the results in the very same training session. Here’s how they work:
How long should a loading chain be?
Each loading chain should be 6.5 feet long . Buy a pair of small carabineers. You’ll use these to regulate the length of the loading chains, so make sure these carabineers fit through the links of your loading chains. Buy a good quality carabineer for each of your heavy chains.
How much does a heavy chain weigh?
These heavy chains should each be 6 feet long and weigh about 10kg (22 pounds) each. (If you need lighter chain, go for 3/8ths of an inch in diameter.)
How to increase speed in squats?
The chains will increase your speed very quickly. Here’s a little experiment: Take 50% of your max squat and perform three doubles with that weight. Next, add 20 pounds of chain to each side of the bar and do three more doubles. The results will shock you.
Why are chains important?
Chains are a valuable tool for developing speed, strength, and power. However, they must be set up correctly to gain any real benefit, and if you’re a total beginner you’re just not ready for them. However, if you have good technique and have built some strength, get yourself some chains.
What is the effect of chain on lockout?
Chains greatly reduce the natural deceleration phase that occurs as you approach lockout.
How to use a 5/8 chain for bench press?
Run the 5/8 chain through the metal loop and adjust it so that half of the 5/8 chain is lying on the floor while the bars in the rack. Use 60% of a no-shirt max on the bar. For example, if your max is 500, put 300 pounds on the bar. When the bar is on your chest, only the weight of the bar should be on your chest; that is, all the 5/8 chain should be on the floor.
How much chain do you need for a floor press?
For floor pressing, simply drape the 5/8 inch chain over the sleeve of the bar and you’re ready. J.M. Blakley and George Halbert do a lot of floor presses like this. George will use 200 pounds of chain (5 sets of chain) and works up to a single. His best at a bodyweight of 220 is 440 plus 200 pounds of chain, which is 640 at the top.
How much weight can a 500 pound bencher hold?
(They weigh 20 pounds each, but half is on the floor at lockout.) A 500 pound bencher can use both the 5/8 and 1/2 inch chains for a combined added weight of 31 pounds.
How to use a 5/8 chain?
First use a set of 1/4-inch-link chains that attach to the bar sleeves. We suspend a metal ring from the 1/4 inch chains, which regulates height of the 5/8 chain from the floor. Loop the 5/8 inch chain through the metal ring so about three chain links are lying on the floor when you are standing. When you are sitting on the box, slightly below parallel, half of the chain will be unloaded onto the floor.
How much weight should a 5/8 chain be on a bench?
When the bar is on your chest, only the weight of the bar should be on your chest; that is, all the 5/8 chain should be on the floor. If your best bench is 250 pounds or less, use one pair of 1/2-inch-link chains; these weigh 23 pounds a set, so you are locking out an extra 11.5 pounds.
How to make tricep extensions harder?
To make it as tough as possible, use several bands. Lower the bar straight down, aiming between the nipples and chin, stop 4-5 inches off the chest, and press back up. Use a close grip. Bands and chains are often used for triceps extensions.
What is chain and band?
Chains and bands are used in all of our training, be it the dynamic method for speed strength and acceleration or the maximum effort day to develop absolute strength.
Why are chains effective in bench press?
Chains are effective in the bench press movement because as more force is exerted during the upward movement, the resistance of the weight increases.
What is the range of motion of a bench press?
The range of motion in the bench press is considered an ascending strength curve. This means that the lifter is able to exert more force as the wight is raised and the joints are extended. The opposite is the descending strength curve with the leg curl as an example where the force exerted decreases as the leg is extended.
What is the purpose of chains?
The purpose of chains is to train greater strength production through-out the later stages of the movement.
Is it pointless to bench a powerlifter?
It seems kind of pointless unless you're a powerlifter or you're already benching huge numbers and are trying to spot train a certain weakness in the lift.
Do you need chains for a powerlifter?
If you are a geared power lifter then yes go for it use chains and bands and weight releasers but if you train raw or are a body builder it messes up the strength curve because the gear powerlifters use you need more top end work and this helps overload that portion of the exercise in squats, deads and bench pressing and that's where chains are useful but most raw lifters and bodybuilders are weak at the bottom and not at the top so your training irrelevantly. So it is all relative to your situation.

Exercise Purpose
- Bench pressing with chains is a powerlifting technique, however it can be used by any weightlifter to strengthen your bench press. Since you will be lifting greater weight, you will also be stacking muscle mass to your frame. This technique will do a number of things for your bench press training program: 1. Prepares you to handle heavier weight: W...
Exercise Technique
- Equipment Setup 1. Chains:An effective lifting chain is a 5′ section of 5/8″ chain. This averages approximately 20lbs (9kg) in weight per section. It is good practice to weigh your chains so you know how much weight you’re adding. 1. Connector Chains:All you need to hang your chains from the barbell is a section of lighter weight chain and connecting hardware. A 5′ length of connectin…
Common Mistakes
- Failing to set the chain length correctly:To maximize the effectiveness of this exercise, you want the maximum variation in weight from bar on chest to lockout.
- Using to little chain weight:If bar weight is too heavy in relation to chain weight, you will not get as much explosiveness off the chest, reducing the effectiveness of the chains.
- Poor bench press form:You should learn effective bench press technique before attempting t…
- Failing to set the chain length correctly:To maximize the effectiveness of this exercise, you want the maximum variation in weight from bar on chest to lockout.
- Using to little chain weight:If bar weight is too heavy in relation to chain weight, you will not get as much explosiveness off the chest, reducing the effectiveness of the chains.
- Poor bench press form:You should learn effective bench press technique before attempting to use chains.
Exercise Safety
- You will be performing this exercise with a relatively heavy amount of weight and should make sure you are healthy enough to perform the exercise safely. Consult with your doctor before embarking o...
- Chains on your barbell are inherently unstable, they will sway from side to side a bit when you unrack the bar. Additionally you should be using a significant amount of weight for this exerci…
- You will be performing this exercise with a relatively heavy amount of weight and should make sure you are healthy enough to perform the exercise safely. Consult with your doctor before embarking o...
- Chains on your barbell are inherently unstable, they will sway from side to side a bit when you unrack the bar. Additionally you should be using a significant amount of weight for this exercise. Ma...
- Since the chains are unstable, if they are not well secured, they are more likely to slide off one end of the barbell than a weight plate is. This could leave your bar weight significantly unbalanc...