public service announcement: for the love of God, don't ever use clips when doing bench press

[Anonymous]

Was at the gym and had to run across the room to save a guy who failed on a bench press and was crushing his neck. Thank God I was there or the dude would have probably killed himself. He made the classic rookie mistake of lifting too much and using clips to hold the plates on the barbell. Newsflash - don't ever eeeeeever use clips on the barbell when doing bench press alone. It could save your damn life. If he didn't have the clips on and no one was there to rescue him, at least he could have tilted the barbell to let the plates slide off to save himself. Yes, you can die doing bench presses and using clips! There is no reason to use them, ever!

[Anonymous]

Wow I had never thought of that. I thought you needed them for safety reasons! I often lift in an empty gym at work so I appreciate the info!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was at the gym and had to run across the room to save a guy who failed on a bench press and was crushing his neck. Thank God I was there or the dude would have probably killed himself. He made the classic rookie mistake of lifting too much and using clips to hold the plates on the barbell. Newsflash - don't ever eeeeeever use clips on the barbell when doing bench press alone. It could save your damn life. If he didn't have the clips on and no one was there to rescue him, at least he could have tilted the barbell to let the plates slide off to save himself. Yes, you can die doing bench presses and using clips! There is no reason to use them, ever!

Clips are a safety. You should not be lifting heavy without a peer. THAT is the problem.

uSING clips if lifting alone- DUMB
Not using clips while lifting around others- DUMB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was at the gym and had to run across the room to save a guy who failed on a bench press and was crushing his neck. Thank God I was there or the dude would have probably killed himself. He made the classic rookie mistake of lifting too much and using clips to hold the plates on the barbell. Newsflash - don't ever eeeeeever use clips on the barbell when doing bench press alone. It could save your damn life. If he didn't have the clips on and no one was there to rescue him, at least he could have tilted the barbell to let the plates slide off to save himself. Yes, you can die doing bench presses and using clips! There is no reason to use them, ever!

Clips are a safety. You should not be lifting heavy without a peer. THAT is the problem.

uSING clips if lifting alone- DUMB
Not using clips while lifting around others- DUMB

I never thought of it that way but it makes total sense. I’d transitioned to no clips generally. But I don’t lift super heavy.