DB Bench Stabilization help

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by MAURER

im not sure why you are having so much more difficulty than with the 30 pound weight. i mean if you're used to stabilizing the 30's and using them it doesn't seem like 35 should be too drastic of a change? maybe your muscles were too taxed when you made the jump to do it successfully. have you tried donig it fresh?

All I had done before was a warm up set, so I was pretty fresh. It is 10 lbs of additional weight, and I'm small, so it's a lot to me.

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by Bearbait

Try squeezing your shoulder blades together and flex your lats before you start the movement. It is hard to get used to but it helps alot. Also you can try to drive with your legs by driving your heels in to the ground without moving your feet. Do you do any bent over rows or lat pulldowns in your routine?

I do assisted pullups (can't do a real one) and T-rows.

[gymrat]

I've so been there! It especially got bad when I started Max-Ot without a spotter. I've had the same types of issues... going up to the next set of DB's can be a big jump and my form is sloppy. Sometimes, I can keep at it and my form stabilizes by the next week. I've had instances though where it just wasn't happening so instead, I upped my reps. (I'll note that I am typically not a fan of higher reps, but have found it necessary on occasion to be able to graduate to the next set of DB's.) Best of luck to you! :