QUESTION: Is there anything I can do or any tricks that I can use to instantly increase my bench press?
ANSWER: Yes. I’ve got a really cool trick you can try. Next time you hit the bench press, use lifting straps. Simply wrap the straps around the bar as you would for a heavy bent-over barbell row. Then begin pressing the bar the way you normally would. When you bench-press a barbell, your hands begin to slide slightly outward on the bar if you don’t tense your grip and forearm muscles. By tensing those muscles, however, you reduce slightly your power on the actual pressing part of the movement. You can reduce the tension on your grip and forearm muscles by using the straps and can then instantly press more weight. You should be able to increase your bench by 5 percent with this trick. Give it a try and let me know what you think.