How to Make Bench Shirts Smaller

It takes two or three people to help put on a bench shirt.

The bench shirt aids in the bench press movement, keeps the bencher from tearing additional muscle and reduces injuries. Bench shirts are single- and multi-ply, with polyester and denim being the two main materials. These shirts are tight and must be broken in to mold to the bencher's body. Sometimes the shirts are too big. Having a shirt that is even slightly too big is dangerous for a lifter, so it is important for the shirt to fit properly.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• 4 to 5 gallons distilled water
• Grilling tongs
• Large heat-resistant bin
• Washer

Instructions

1. Altering a single- or multi-ply polyester or denim bench shirt should be done by a professional seamstress who has a history of sizing bench shirts. If the bench shirt is made of denim, boiling it is another way to make it smaller.

2. 

   Carefully place the bench shirt in the water to not burn yourself.

   Fill a large pot with distilled water and place it on the largest eye of the stove. Set the temperature to high. When the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully place your denim bench shirt into the water with long tongs. Reduce the temperature to medium-high to keep the water from boiling over or splashing on other surfaces or yourself.

3. Turn the bench shirt over every few minutes so it does not settle to the bottom and burn. Let the bench shirt boil for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. 

   Grilling tongs are a great length to boil a bench shirt.

   Use tongs to remove the bench shirt out of the water and place it into the large heat-resistant bin. It will be heavy and extremely hot, so proceed with caution. Turn off the eye and allow the water to cool before attempting to pour it out.

5. Let the bench shirt cool before straining the remainder of the water out of the bin. Place it in the washer on the spin cycle to remove the excess water. The bench shirt does not need to be rinsed. Lay it on a flat surface to dry.

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Tips & Warnings

• Laying the bench shirt flat to dry will keep the material stiff.

• Distilled water is free of minerals that break down material.

• Do not put your bench shirt in the dryer because the heat breaks down the fibers, making the bench shirt soft.

• Sizing your own bench shirt or allowing someone without the proper skills to alter it will compromise its strength and durability.

• There are no guarantees for how much the shirt will shrink.

Resources

• Powerlifting Watch