Getting a "liftoff" on the bench

[LudwigVan]

Starting Strength recommends a position on the bench press where your eyes are just past the foot side of the bar. With my arms making such a large angle with my torso, I tend to feel some shoulder discomfort as I raise the bar and bring it out over my chest before the first rep. I also feel like I burn a bit of fuel doing so. Once when I asked a guy to spot me he asked whether I wanted a liftoff and I said sure. He helped me get the bar in position and then let go. The set felt better than when I lift it out of the uprights myself. Is this cheating, bad technique, etc., or should I keep doing it if it seems to help?

[eLvarouza]

It's not cheating to get a handoff. Ideally, you want a handoff for the most part. My philosophy is: either get a handoff all the time or do it by yourself all the time. If you get a handoff and hit a new PR with it the next time you go for a PR without a handoff it could feel much, much harder. Just be consistent with your choice.

[Jim Slade]

It's not cheating to get a spotter to lift the bar into position for you, there's a lot of difference between benches anyway, some are easier to bench on than others so I wouldn't worry. When you set up on your own the trick is to take the bar off the rack using a sort of shrugging motion that is out side the normal ROM of your bench press, this way you don't tire out the chest/triceps before starting the bench. Shoulder discomfort could be a sign of trouble to come though the as the bench is famously very hard on the shoulders and that pain sounds like the start of rotator cuff problems, so be careful out there.

[izzostrength]

"Lift-offs" are acceptable and safe.

[OneTake]

My philosophy is: either get a handoff all the time or do it by yourself all the time. If you get a handoff and hit a new PR with it the next time you go for a PR without a handoff it could feel much, much harder. Just be consistent with your choice.

I agree with eLvarouza on this one. Be consistent whether you choose to use one or not. Personally, I find it difficult to get and keep a good, strong grip on the bar and when getting a "lift off".

[rmjohns8]

I personally used to lift off almost all of the time, until I ended up not having a gym partner. At that point, I had to teach myself to lift safe when alone. If you can afford to have a partner to lift off every time you go, then I recommend it. Saves energy, doesn't hurt your shoulders, etc. If you can't always have a partner, it's important to lift off on your own safely, imo.

[LudwigVan]

Thanks for the input, folks.