BENCH PRESS BATTLEFIELD

Christian Thibaudeau is a well respected strength coach.  In this article, he discusses tactics to increase bench press strength.  Specifically he speaks to how to use the CNS to boost strength.  Often weight lifters don't consider the usefulness of taxing the CNS or more often, they tax the CNS too much by only maxing out each lift.  Christian addresses three ways to boost strength in the short term through tactics like antagonist stretching, antagonist pre-contraction, and irradiation/stable base.  Furthermore, he gives suggestions for long term solutions to increase strength through ideas such as plyometrics/shock absorption, heavy lifting, and static holds/partial reps.  Explanations and examples of how to incorporate these tactics into a strength program are also given which makes this article all the more useful.  

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