Bench w/Slingshot

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi guys, I notice you utilize “overload” variations in your programs like slingshot bench. I just wanted to know if there’s any evidence behind overload training and how would you program the slingshot bench to get the most out of it.

My 1RM is 150 kg, I notice that when peaking 142-145 feels generally easy, I never struggle with it (typical weight for 1@7-8) but once I get to 147 it’s almost always a grinder. Maybe utilizing above my 1RM with the slingshot for singles in my next peak (currently in a volume phase) would help, what are your thoughts?

Thanks and appreciate all you do for the fitness/medical community!

2

There are only a handful of studies characterizing “supportive gear” that adds weight to the bar, i.e. squat suits, bench shirts, deadlift suits, knee wraps, and yes, the slingshot.

There is dearth of evidence with respect to overload training increasing strength performance in raw lifts directly by using these implements compared to raw training, unfortunately. I’m not sure we could confidently say that overload training works reliably well in this context, save for eccentric overload with something like negatives or weight releasers. Even then however, the data isn’t overwhelming.