For the last half-year, I was privileged to be a part-time powerlifting coach for a local team, all of whom are single-ply lifters in competition. I learned a lot about geared lifting, passed on what knowledge I could to the others as well, and really, truly, enjoyed every moment in that gym.



With that said, certain things still baffle me about geared benching. When is the weight "locked out"? Many many times, I've seen insanely strong geared lifters who absolutely did NOT lock out at the top, but they held it there for a little bit without coming back down so they'd rack it and green light it. What?



Look at this video. His left arm is clearly not locked out at the top. His right arm isn't either, but it's closer. I don't know if the human body is capable of locking out 1100lbs without significant assistance at the lockout. Multiply helps tremendously at the bottom, but not nearly as much at the top, which is also obvious in this video.



I don't know what else to say. I have benched in gear and it was fun, but I didn't love it. I have never squatted or deadlifted in gear, but I'm sure it's fun as well. I will very likely lift in gear at some point, single-ply, to give it a shot. But there are things about it as a whole, that just don't sit right with me.