What can happen if you let the bench press bar fall on your chest?

Question

I let the bar fall on my upper chest on inclined bench press and since I had no spotter it laid on my upper chest for a few seconds before someone came to help me. I don't think I injured myself. How would I know if I injured myself and what could have happened.

PS: Please don't lecture me about using a spotter, I always use them but the weigths were so light I could do 15 reps with them, I just screwed up since I'm not used to inclined down bench press.

Answer 1

You can crush your sternum which would result in death. The sternum is in place to protect the organs behind it. That is why the sensible and logical solution would be what us man loving feminists do when we pump weight..........use a spotter.

Answer 2

Any brusing? Any bleeding? Any pain when breathing? If no, then consider yourself lucky.

Now, here comes the lecture? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
A spotter? That is a total waste of TIME!! If you are going to be serious about weightlifting - get a power rack!! Then you can lift even the VERY HEAVY weights, and lift 100% safely!!

And HEAVY is where you get bigger and stronger. Without a power rack, there is ALWAYS a chance of injury, and THAT will stop you from lifting ever again.

I have been using a power rack for 20 years. Without it, I could NEVER do the lifts I am doing. Too heavy!!

Answer 3

if you got hurt, you would definately see signs of bruising, bleeding or feel some kind of pain wether it be in your arms, chest or torso.
What can happen though is not only can you bruise, break bones, break blood vessels, cause internal bleeding by damaging an organ, you could also die.. Especially if you are in a middle of taking a breath and it hits your chest with force. That can kill you instantly.
You sound like your ok though, but if you see or feel anything abnormal, you should go to your doctor and ask for a chest x ray..

Answer 4

uh maybe a bruise, if you really hit your chest with the bar you might have broken a rib, but otherwise you should be okay, your chest cavity is designed to have some ability to compress, i weigh 200 lbs and i can put all my weight on a patients chest while giveing CPR and not break a rib or anything. so probably nothing. your body is marvelously helpful with injuries, when you get one they hurt, and if you feel fine then i guess you did okay

Answer 5

it could have killed you. if you were hurt you would know it you would be short of breath and in pain go to the er for xrays just to be sure and dont take chances like that always use a spotter

Answer 6

you should be ok.
usually if you injured yourself you would of been in pain by now. these are the possible things that could happen:
- crack your rips
- injure or collapse a lung
- bruise your chest and cause it to be hard to breath
but you should be fine.
if you bruise up; thats to be expected. if it doesnt go away in a week, then maybe you should think about seeing your doctor.

Answer 7

it depends on how much weight you were lifting hon, ask a doctor or your trainer

Answer 8

bruised sternum, bruised ribs, broken ribs or sternum.....they'd all hurt real bad.