The BenchCast: A Podcast For Powerlifters

This is a very special episode of the BenchCast because we have a one of a kind guest! Garrison Redd is the most positive people I have been around. When life took a turn and Garrison lost the ability to use his legs, he took those lemons and made lemonade. He now spends his time defying odds and inspiring many. He's done TED talks, inspirational speeches, has his own foundation (thegarrisonreddpr...

In this episode we touch on all the common difficulties lifters have with benching! Do you have trouble pausing the bench? Elbows flaring out? Mid rage sticking point? Not sure how to use leg drive? This is just to name a few. We go into depth on how to correct all these troubles that plague lifters and lead to plateau

In this episode we shoot the shit with 2017 Arnold Bench Bash Heavyweight Champion, Tony Carlino! Tony has handled over 1100 lbs Squat, 1000 lbs Bench, and 600+ lbs Deadlift in training. His best competition bench to date is 843 lbs while winning the Arnold Classic. We discuss how he trains, how he eats, how he takes care of his body, and everything in between! Get an inside look into his prep to...

If you typically get stuck 1-2 inches off the chest when you bench heavy, this podcast helps troubleshoot the issue! Learn how to tell if this sticking point is technique or strength related, and what you can do to fix it. Coach Ben shares his favorite partial range bench exercises

This episode is jam packed with intriguing nutrition info, specifically for powerlifters! Keith Odell drops knowledge on us all episode on how to properly fuel your performance in the gym and on the platform. Which fats, carbs, and proteins are the best? How can we get more vitamins in our diet? Which foods deliver some amazing health benefits? Keith answers this and backs it up with amazing testi...

How does training for a single lift compare to training for full power? Does someone who only competes in bench press have it easier than someone who competed in squat, bench, AND deadlift? We discuss this on todays episode and the answer may surprise you!

Often times the reason we struggle to make improvements in our technique is because we try to do too much at once! Technique cannot be taught or learned in bunches. Developing a simplified approach by cueing yourself step by step is the only way to effectively get better. This podcast shows you how to do just that!

Has your progress stagnated recently in training? It may not have anything to do with your program or lack of technique... It could be your approach to training. Ask yourself, are you giving training your full effort? In this episode we discuss ways in which you can bring more intensity to your training and how to plan your day

Many are unfamiliar with what a "Bench Shirt" actually is. This episode is all about introducing the bench shirt for those unfamiliar, and describing the differences between shirted lifting and raw lifting. Whether you've lifted with a shirt before or not, there is information in here that would benefit the novice lifter and the advanced lifter alike!

In this episode we delve into the programming side of bench training a little bit. Are you a lifter who goes into the gym and "wings" it? Sure you can make some good progress like that initially but eventually you'll have to think more deeply on what you're actually doing. This is the episode for you! Plus Coach Ben shares his top bench exercises!

Last weekend 22 world class pro multi-ply benchers gathered at LeXen Extreme in Ohio for a Last Man Standing Arnold Classic qualifying event. Who walked away last man standing? What does this mean for the Arnold Bench Bash? We recap the awesome event!

Our online lifter Zach Jones travels to New York from Oklahoma to train at Big Benchas HQ. We sat down with Zach after and talked about his experience since joining our team and how our online coaching program has been pushing him towards his ultimate goal of a 500 lb Bench!

What is the best way to learn more about lifting if you're a powerlifter? Or coaching if you're a coach? There's a ton of great information out there and knowing how to access that information gives you great power. In this episode we talk about all the different outlets in which you can access information and learn how to become better at what you do!

This is an entertaining and insightful conversation with my buddy Sean Fagan. He was a top ten 165 lb class lifter a few years back and has since dropped down to compete at a high level within the 148 lb class. Sean holds a very demanding job but still finds the time to train. We discuss the psychology behind making time to train no matter what! Don't miss this episode!

A good training partner is perhaps your most impactful tool for becoming a great lifter! Iron sharpens iron and we all get stronger by pushing each other to new levels! What makes a good training partner? What's expected of a good training partner? We share our stories!

Social Media has rocked the way we look at strength sports. Suddenly we see what our competition is doing, what our favorite lifters are up to, and everyone is accessible for knowledge. We discuss how social media has shaped the landscape of powerlifting as we know it!

We interview Rich Putnam, champion of the 2018 Arnold Classic Bench Bash. Rich has benched over 800 lbs in competition as well as 1000 lbs in exhibition! He shares some of his vast knowledge on benching and shares a lot of insight on equipped lifting and how to maximize the use of your bench shirts!

Nicky "Mammoth" joins us on the BenchCast to talk strongman training! He explains how someone can get started if they want to explore the world of strongman competition. We also discuss how strongman can be different than powerlifting in many ways, but also similar, and how each can play into each other!

Coach Ben answers your questions submitted through Instagram and Youtube! Don't miss out as knowledge bombs on training are dropped throughout the podcast! 

Our guest Nick Wheeler has some impressive lifts on his resume! He just nearly hit 800 lbs his last meet and just under 2 years ago he was only deadlifting 625 lbs! He has put 150 - 200 lbs on his total each meet he has done and he hasn't stopped yet! We discuss his ultimate pursuit of world records, and what it takes to get there. The mindset required of a powerlifter (You have to be a little ins...

I bombed out of a meet on bench! That's right, I said it! The first time I attempted 700 lb bench I failed! I just got stapled with 750 lbs at a meet! These are all failures of mine and I'm going to share with you how they have all contributed to my success

Sleep, Food, Mobility, Activity, we cover ALL the ways you can recover faster and in turn, lift more! Actionable tips that will have you recovering like a pro! 

What do all great programs consist of? We discuss the foundational elements that go into a well designed training program. Knowledge of why you're doing what you're doing to get stronger is key!

This week on The BENCHCAST, Coach Ben and @smallarmlegstrong discuss how to properly lay out your bench press warm up! DO NOT skip warm ups. It will keep you healthy long term and will help you lift more weight that session! We break down how to plan your warm up routine AND warm up sets

In this episode we discuss how to stay motivated in your training! Just like many, you might be waivering in and out of motivation to hit the gym. We talk about some key points to keep you on task and ready to train!