User:Jctheartist/sandbox

The Barbell is the longer version of the Dumbbell which is used for free weight training and competitive sports, such as powerlifting, Olympic weight lifting, and and CrossFit. The barbell was thought to be made during the 1800’s so the carnival weight lifters could perform during a circus show. many exercises can be done using the barbell, such as bicep curl, bench press, Olympic weightlifting, over head press, deadlift, and squat.  Barbells are usually estimated weight of 45 pounds with a rough texture called the knurling that helps the athlete have a good grip on the bar. The movements that are used with this equipment requires compound movements to exert energy, which means that multiple muscle groups must work together in order to lift the barbell, such as the bench press, squat, and deadlift. While doing the squat, the entire muscle group is activated when the legs drive up, moving the body upward. The entire body is involved in the movement. Many fitness categories use the barbell for different reasons: powerlifters use the barbell to perform compound exercise movements to engage the nervous system to gain strength. Olympic weightlifters use the barbell to perform the Snatch and Clean and Jerk movements. Bodybuilders use the Barbell to perform hypertrophy which builds muscles. The proper techniques used for the barbells is to place the athlete’s hands shoulder width apart in order to prevent any injurie. Of course, if the athlete has a wider grip they can do so as well.  

The bench press is a flat bench with two arms on the side that carry the barbell for chest exercises. The proper use of the bench press is to lift the barbell upward and lower it to the area of your nipples. The athletes are must not be perpendicular to the torso, but angled to 45 degrees to prevent shoulder impingement. There are multiple versions of the bench press such ass inclined bench press and the decline bench press,  which both functions differ based on the angle it is being used.  The movements of the bench press is to contract the pectoral muscles with the movement of lowering and raising the barbell. The triceps is also contracted during the movement because it's a compound movement. The flat bench press contracts the pectoralis major while the incline contracts the pectoral minor, the upper chest muscle. A polish study showed the movement of both a powerlifter and body builder by testing them after a ten minute warm up. The research showed that it depends on how much weight the athlete loads onto the bar, the exercise will affect the body differently. The bench press exercise worked the power lifter's triceps brachii  muscle and the body builder worked his anterior deltoid and pectoralis major. In another research,  it was shown that the flat bench press can increase the velocity and power of the chest muscles. Adding free weight onto the barbell increases the power of the movement and increases the strength of the athlete.