Chains

[football89]

I've heard of people attatching chains to the bar for their bench press? What is the purpose of this, just adding more weight?

[Matt76]

They are usually used for one or two purposes. One being on speed day which will make you more explosive the other being to help your lockout. Do a google search for westside training

[BBAddict]

Chains are a way of adding small amounts of weight particularly as you get closer to lockout. A long chain made of heavy duty links is attached to the bar. During the lift, the more extended your arms are the more links you are supporting the weight of. Obviously, as the bar gets closer to the ground the weight of more links are supported by the ground. You can really play with the amount of weight you are lifting by attaching the chain either at an end or at other locations along the length of the chain to allow two lengths of chain to be lifted.

[imonboardtoo]

Heard about this, but I've never seen chain work in the gym.

[bonebreaker]

I've never heard of that, but it sure makes sense and would definately work. I'll have to try that sometime. BB

[Primal Instinct]

Originally posted by BBAddict
Chains are a way of adding small amounts of weight particularly as you get closer to lockout. A long chain made of heavy duty links is attached to the bar. During the lift, the more extended your arms are the more links you are supporting the weight of. Obviously, as the bar gets closer to the ground the weight of more links are supported by the ground. You can really play with the amount of weight you are lifting by attaching the chain either at an end or at other locations along the length of the chain to allow two lengths of chain to be lifted.

I hear that about the weight of the chain being supported by arms, back, etc., Years ago I used to do a lot of construction work and we used chainfall hoists all of the time. Carrying those suckers around and hanging them up from the ceiling while standing on ladders was sometimes a real feat, lol. It definitely put some mass on my upper body hanging a heavy duty 25' pull 2-1/2 ton chainfall, lol. Now that I think of it my legs were pretty big too (it was tough to find pants to fit thighs) because we always were carrying heavy things up and down ladders. Damn, I've gotten soft in my old age :mad: