Bench Press Less Cramp of sorts

Sup.

When I'm benching a somewhat maximal weight for the number of reps I'm doing, I tend to get some kind of a pain in my leg(s) (usually my right).

The pain is somewhere at the back, above the knee area. I *think* that it feels like a cramp, but I'm not sure since I don't really get cramps (or maybe until now) so I don't know what one feels like.
Goes away in a few minutes.


So does anyone have any suggestions as to what this could be? Are there any special leg stretches I should undertake before bench pressing?


Thanks.
 
i would need more in depth description (Where in the movement, what it actually feels like, what your leg positioning is, what your hand width is etc), but, this could be a sciatic issue.

You could try this stretch. Before you lift, stand with your ankles crossed, bend all the way keeping your legs nearly straight. Hold for 10 seconds, do not bounce, come up and repet twice more. Then switch legs and do it again. No guarantees that this will remedy the problem though.
 
i would need more in depth description (Where in the movement, what it actually feels like, what your leg positioning is, what your hand width is etc), but, this could be a sciatic issue.

It occurs when I am pushing the weight up, as I am pressing against the floor with my legs.
Leg positioning & grip, very similar to this guy here:


You could try this stretch. Before you lift, stand with your ankles crossed, bend all the way keeping your legs nearly straight. Hold for 10 seconds, do not bounce, come up and repet twice more. Then switch legs and do it again.

That seems a bit contradicting, how can I bend my legs, while keeping them straight? I think I am misunderstanding this slightly.
 
First, my apologies for my poor explanation. Bend at your waist. Picture this as a modified hamstring stretch.

Second, it very well may be your sciatic. Try pulling your feet closer to you in a "Z" formation. Rather than keeping you feet flat, try pulling them closer towards you so your feet are flexed, toes on the ground (Picture a "Z" starting at you hip and finishing at your toes).

This is in no way a sure thing. I'm only guessing by the pain your describing and the positioning of your feet. But hopefully this change will help.

Also, be sure that your head, shoulder blades, and tail bone are in contact with the bench throughout the entire lift. Don't lift your as* off the bench at any point. Let me know if/how it works.
 
First, my apologies for my poor explanation. Bend at your waist. Picture this as a modified hamstring stretch.

Second, it very well may be your sciatic. Try pulling your feet closer to you in a "Z" formation. Rather than keeping you feet flat, try pulling them closer towards you so your feet are flexed, toes on the ground (Picture a "Z" starting at you hip and finishing at your toes).

ks.

DUDE!! Great stretch!! I have stretchin my sciatica in lots of ways from hip flexers, to swimming, to a "pigeon pose' and this Z thing i just tried hit it more directly than any other stretch! i got hurt in a hard landing from a skydive and even went thru ART Treatment. but this stretch!!! + rep to you!!
 
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