How to self-assess your bench press movement. The most common fault on bench press is that the client has their back flat and relaxed on the bench, wrists are broken and the bar travels to high. The “broken” wrist and elbows reduce the torque you’re able to create. The correct way to bench press is to keep wrists flat or think “knuckles to the ceiling”. To create torque, think about breaking the bar in half. The elbows don’t flare out in the movement.