Jon Elick Tested Review of APT APEX Bench Shirt

APT Pro Gear - APEX Bench Shirt Review

        As one of APT's sponsored lifters for the last few years, I was happy to be able to put my two cents in on the sport's newest bench shirt. The first thing I noticed was that the design was totally different than anything I'd ever had on.smaller chest plate and looser arms. There are three rows of thick seams securing the arms/shoulders to the chest plate, so I wasn't too concerned about blowouts. Once I was fitted in the shirt, I was pleased to see Alan took my suggestion to scoop the back of the neck. This allows the lifter to adjust the front of the collar to his/her preference without needing to cut or make an open back shirt. Lifters who compete under both open and closed back rules, depending on the federation, should find this to be a beneficial design. As of this review, all I have done is work on breaking the shirt in, using boards. In the video & pictures, I am wearing a size 48 single-ply APEX, and I am in the 220 class, so you can get an idea of the fit. This session, I took 495 off a 3-board and 585 off a 2-board. As you can see the lifts were effortless. The chest plate is so tight it literally launches the weight. My biggest hurdle will be to get a reasonable weight to touch my chest! Overall, the APEX is right in line with what we have all come to expect from APT Pro Gear.quality craftsmanship and innovative designs. I think the APEX will soon secure it's place in the bench shirt market.