De-Loaded Band Bench Press

Anchoring bands to the top of a power cage and then around the collars of your bench press will make the bar lighter as it descends toward your chest. This has several advantages: the lifter can lockout a heavier weight than they typically max and it is much easier on the shoulder joints to make the weight lighter as the shoulders reach their end range of motion. Obviously, band thickness determines assistance. In the video, the lifter is using 1.5" thick bands by Jump Stretch. This thickness hanging from this particular power rack gives the lifter between 75 and 100 pounds of help when the bar touches his chest and approximately 50 pounds of help at his lockout position.