Bench America

Create: 12/14/2005 - 08:12

Author: admin

The Bench America idea is an exciting one. Gather up all the best benchers from every federation and have them go head to head in a bench off. Throw in cash and television coverage then mix in some hype and bang, a topnotch event is born. In practice, the event is a little tougher to organize. Where will the rules come down on drug testing? Will it be raw, single ply or unlimited equipment? Other rules have have also alienated some lifters. So far, there's still no word on this year's event. Monster Muscle is currently discussing Bench America. Most posters are upset at the evolution of the format:

The first one was done right;bring your best shirt,all Feds. on one stage, No hoakie drug test to cause contraversies and just see who has the best bench! It's went to shit since then.

I think the point was to try and get TV coverage. To do this you need sponsors with BIG money. They want what they want so it is done that way. Gotta look at the politics behind it.

I am completely against BA. I liked the first one, it really put everyone together and it could've been a good thing. Since then it has just gone completely ridiculous. I disagree with the statement about TV. Yes, it was for TV you're right. The part I disagree with it about why they changed it for TV. People don't know the difference between 1 and 2 ply, and they think everyone who benches big is drugged. There was no real reason to change it at all.

It is no longer a comprimise between feds.

Drugs had to be taken out because of sponsors, ok, I can kind of see that. Double shirts had to be taken out because of sponsors, I don't see eye to eye on this one, but I'll even let that pass. Now what's with belly benching and don't sell me that sponsorship crap. It is now an IPF/USAPL contest... The promoter is a USAPL lifter and this is now a USAPL meet. End of story.

Many seem especially unhappy because of the promise they saw in the event:

Because it went so far away from it's original purpose; Bring your shirt, represent your Fed. and let see who has the biggest bench in America. That was exciting!

I loved the idea of the first BA. We need something that is "run what ya brung". No more feds, no politics, either put up or shut up. Basically what Joe did with the first BA was to civilize an outlaw meet and it worked... I simply care that he took a great idea and completely screwed it up.

A contrary opinion:

So it's alright to have WPO/APF rules with multilayer and non tested, but when it's drug tested and single ply meet it's somehow wrong.

Idle speculation?

To my knowledge, BA4 doesn't have a big sponsor yet. There's a remote possibility that BA4 could be raw.

Comments

I think everyones problem

I think everyones problem with the meet is that it is no longer a compromise among the bigger orgs, its now basically an IPF/USAPL national meet. They basically follow all the rule of the USAPL to the letter. I think the original premise of it being a conglomeration of all the best lifters the different feds had to offer was a great one, but now it is too far from that original intent to be considered the best bench contest in America.

Nick have you heard any

Nick have you heard any rumblings that someone else might step in to create an event more along the lines of the original one? It sounds like the lifters want it. I wonder about television coverage though. I just don't see how drug testing issues would figure into television contracts.

Jon, Bringing in the big

Jon, Bringing in the big guns to the board! Nick welcome aboard. I saw your post over at Jesse Marundes site and posted it up here when Jon had his list of 600lb benchers. Best of luck on your event this weekend (I believe it's this weekend) Chris D.

Big is right! Yep he's doing

Big is right! Yep he's doing Palmer's meet in Indy. It's over in the right sidebar - The Lionheart Christmas Bench Bash.

I haven't heard anything,

I haven't heard anything, but that doesn't mean anything isn't going on. I have absolutely no qualms about the drug testing at the meet, I just think that it should a meet with rules that are a compromise of the different federations, as it was originally intended. I would still compete in the meet if I was invited, just for the chance at the 10grand and for shits and giggles. I would am not a belly bencher but would prolly get called for it, just like Kennelly did, because I do bring it down to the lower part of my sternum (even raw). I think they will eventually go back to the way it was originally intended to be run just so they can bring in the high caliber lifters and see 900+lbs lifts eventually. I think that is something that people at home watching t.v. would like to see, most people enjoy seeing freakish things being done by others. I also don't think people would realise or even care if the shirts were single or double ply, and even if they did the line between the two (as far as carryover) is as good as erased.

Mendy is having the Mendy

Mendy is having the Mendy Classic at some point and will be a money meet very similar to the BA original. It wont be sanctioned and wont be full of B.S. He made a post over at FI about 2 months ago of the list of lifters. There is also a female division and his sister Shawna will be running it. Kyle Coleman www.FortifiedIron.com www.FortifiedIron.com/invision www.Powerliftingstore.com kyle@fortifiediron.com

Nick, watching your 615x2

Nick, watching your 615x2 that's not my idea of belly benching. I think most of the lifters are with you in regards to the drug testing and multiply equipment. It's the apparent slant towards USAPL rules that are really turning people off.

Kyle, thanks for the info.

Kyle, thanks for the info. I'll do some digging around to see what else I can come up with on Mendelson's event.

I don't consider it belly

I don't consider it belly benching either, but Ryan Kennelly put the bar in the same place I did and was called for it. I think they should make a set of rules that is agreed upon the majority of the powerlifting feds (the main ones) and then judge lifters using the rules agreed upon. It is very much slanted toward USAPL rules and that has to change. I respect the USAPL and their lifters, but think that most of their rules are antiquated and go against progress. As soon as a lifter of lifters have success using a new liting technique (like Anthony Clark using reverse grip) and starts setting records they pass rules to disallow the new method.

For a truly successful

For a truly successful all-comers event I agree with you that what is needed is a more inclusive set of rules. It seems there's a real demand by lifters for such an event. I guess it's a matter of sponsorship and perhaps television for it to become reality.

I say just stop crying about

I say just stop crying about the shirts and lift! If you don't like the rule's don't lift, it's as simple as that!!

I think that's a good

I think that's a good argument when looking at the federations - lift in the one that has the rules you like. But for an event like this which is supposed to unite the powerlifting world for one day, I don't think it's quite as simple. The lifters want the opportunity to compete against all the best from other feds. The fans want to see this as well. Just saying don't lift means the event will never accomplish that purpose. A compromise should be sought. Here's a proposal that I've come up with. Rather than a single event, how about a series of meets held throughout the year, each using a different set of rules. One meet might have USAPL type rules, another WABDL or APF and another might be completely raw. That way we could see who the strongest lifter is across all disciplines. How can that not appeal to powerlifting fans? Each meet might have small cash prizes, but the overall points winner gets the large check.

Personally, I think

Personally, I think simplicity is the key. As far as bench shirts. Pick one, which one I don't care. Tell everyone at 6 months prior that everyone is using a rage, or a fury. Whatever, one type of shirt for every single competitor. Single or double ply up to the meet promoter. No belly benching, but make the rules clear and follow them for the entire meet. Drug testing, throw it out the window. No drug testing as everyone knows a guy that can beat a test, etc. Make it fair and get away from the drug angle. Run the meet in conjunction with a few MMA fights, to get the bigger crowds. Have a lot of side stuff, strength contests the average joe can try while he is watching big benching. You will get sponsors, the winners will make money. What's the down side?

"Personally, I think

"Personally, I think simplicity is the key. As far as bench shirts. Pick one, which one I don't care. Tell everyone at 6 months prior that everyone is using a rage, or a fury. Whatever, one type of shirt for every single competitor. Single or double ply up to the meet promoter. No belly benching, but make the rules clear and follow them for the entire meet. Drug testing, throw it out the window. No drug testing as everyone knows a guy that can beat a test, etc. Make it fair and get away from the drug angle. Run the meet in conjunction with a few MMA fights, to get the bigger crowds. Have a lot of side stuff, strength contests the average joe can try while he is watching big benching. You will get sponsors, the winners will make money. What's the down side?" Sounds good!!!

Yeshua, simpler is always

Yeshua, simpler is always better for sure. However, I just don't think this is a simple matter. For instance what does belly benching mean? Does it mean lower sternum? Can the lifters stand on their toes? If every one of these decisions are made with a USAPL shade, then I think many lifters will not attend. Even if the rules are stated well ahead of time and followed precisely. By the way, great ideas on adding additional events.

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