How much can you bench press?

A-Train · 03-04-2002, 05:22 PM

I started lifting some weights for the first time in about eith years yesterday, and I must say I've never felt this sore in my life. My pecs were almost gone after only doing three sets of ten. I was lifting...well, let's just say it was a helluva lot less than anybody else on this board!

So, how much do you bench? What's your personal best for max weight and for one set of ten? Let's keep this recent, also (within the past six months).

Let the testosterone flow...

HOOP-T · 03-04-2002, 05:24 PM

850 lbs.

DiSeAsEd MoNkEy · 03-04-2002, 05:26 PM

yeah baby!

i can do the bar.

**Jeff** · 03-04-2002, 05:32 PM

I prefer not to press myself against benches particularly one's in the park because they seem really dirty.

deepellumrocket · 03-04-2002, 05:34 PM

As Jerry Seinfeld says: Preferable nothing.

HayesStreet · 03-04-2002, 05:39 PM

Whoooooooooooo, A-Train, when we was at that party, and I had two girls on each arm, and you were standin' over in the corner by your lonesome, nobody was saying "Nature Boy, how much can you bench PRESS-ah." Whooooooooooo

subtomic · 03-04-2002, 05:44 PM

Who wants to bet that A-Train is secretly hoping a bunch of people admit to a max bench press weight that is lower than his own max. :D

Sorry A-Train, the only lifting I do is my guitar amplifiers. And that's really more of a lug than a lift.

Raven Lunatic · 03-04-2002, 05:57 PM

I started lifting about a year ago, and the last time I maxed out, I got 205 lbs. I think I could maybe do 10-15 more than that now, however.

Surfguy · 03-04-2002, 06:03 PM

Okay, I don't really care about this stuff but here are my numbers:

Personal best ever - 250 lbs @ 5 times
Current personal best - 230 lbs @ 3 times(just did to make sure)

Personal best at 1 set 10 times - 230 lbs(12 months ago

)
Current best at 1 set 10 times - 200 lbs(just did to make sure)

Also, it's BowFlex powerrod weight which may be more or less than free weight...dunno...don't care(probably + or - 5 lbs)

Currently, been working out since New Year's resolutions took effect since January not focusing on maxing but on 3 sets 10 - 15 reps in each major muscle category(except abs

).

My pecs are semi-well defined. When I first started lifting with my initial work-out back in December to prep for January start, my pecs killed me for about 5 days really bad. Work out pecs once a week since January to date.

Surf

DiSeAsEd MoNkEy · 03-04-2002, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff
I prefer not to press myself against benches particularly one's in the park because they seem really dirty.

dont taste them either.

VERY bad idea.

gr8-1 · 03-04-2002, 06:06 PM

350. But I only have one arm.

Surfguy · 03-04-2002, 06:12 PM

Wait! Hold up!

I just did 240 lbs 3 times. I guess I should have warmed up first :D.

PhiSlammaJamma · 03-04-2002, 07:16 PM

Geez, I feel weak now. I'm not even going to mention what I'm pressing. But I run 2 hours every day. That must count for something. I only lift for about 20 minutes total each day, but I couldn't even dream of lifting 250 10x. That's way out of my league.

B · 03-04-2002, 07:23 PM

Well, I had foot surgery about 6 months ago, so I haven't really done much weight lifting (body weight with crutches for about 4 months). I can do 90 lbs 10+, and my max is about 125. I'm sure that should help boost everyone else's ego.

B

HOOP-T · 03-04-2002, 07:23 PM

Man, so far no one's even in the same zip code as me. WEENIES!!!

4chuckie · 03-04-2002, 07:31 PM

Speak of the devil..
I just maxed this morning and got 345.
Personal best is 365 less than a year ago, but I took a few months off when I started my new job.

Surfguy · 03-04-2002, 07:36 PM

Now that's nuts....you been working out a while huh and serious weights? You have to be huge. How much you weigh? What type of program? Supplements?

Just curious.

treeman · 03-04-2002, 08:24 PM

I just recently joined a gym and realized that I am far weaker than I was 10 years ago... I'm about in the same area where B is, although I haven't tested my max on a single press. Probably a bit more than that, but I'm doing more conditioning than strength training. Getting ready for Basic.

Weights 3x per week, cardio 5-7 times per week. I'm closer to the treadmill than the bench...

4chuckie · 03-04-2002, 08:35 PM

I just eat a protein bar as soon as I get up in the morning, go out running with my dog (only about 1.5 miles, definetely not a marathoner), put the dog inside and go to the gym. Workout only about 45-50 minutes, but at 6am there's not alot of people there so it's easy to get done in a hurry!
I'm 5'10/205 and I honestly have the perfect frame for benching. Big chest and short arms.
I use a bench program I used in college where all the sets are based on your max (i.e. the first set is always 50% of your max 10 times). I end up maxxing every 3 1/2- 4weeks but the reps/weights change between 3 programs.
I will admit I like going to the gym, so I don't miss many workouts, but I have a bad tendency to set a goal, achieve it and then take too much time off. I did that the first time I hit 335 and 350. You'd be surpirised how much strength you loose after a few months!
As for diet/supplements I do eat the protein bar to get me going, I eat a couple of bannanas before lunch, eat either a subway sub or Wendy's salad for lunch and then usually something fairly sensible for Dinner. My biggest fault is I love wings & beer!

So my dies is not perfect by any means!

Surfguy · 07:57 PM

Typically, your frame size, your weight, your history(of weight-lifting or lackthereof), the amount you lift(weight to # of reps per set), how often, how long(the longer and more consistent...the better), supplementation(with protein, glutamine, etc.), diet(better to eat 5-6 times evenly throughout day to keep body fueled than 2-3 times with several hours in between).....all go into how much maximum weight you may be able to lift

.

I couldn't lift 240 lbs(more like 180 lbs) back in December but prior from 2000 to 2001 for 10 months I was working out consistently(no pain, no gain). I took 7 months off with zero workouts and started back up in January. It's amazing how quickly your ability comes back especially if you've been there before.

Aside from a measuring tool of progress(which can be done just by measuring the increase in the amount of weight as you progress in your normal workout routine), maxing out is lame.

Just a little perspective, people.

One other thing....form is real important. If you rush through your lifting and/or use improper form, then you will be cheating yourself. The best is when you do 7-10 seconds up and 7-10 seconds down. Brad Pitt has a workout program where he does a 10 second count. The slower the better and the harder your muscles have to work.

Surf