what is a good bench??

Jstrong20 · 07-11-2006, 09:15 PM

315 is respectable. Its more than most cats in the gym will ever be able to do but should be attainalbe for most that are patient and train and eat properly. Anybody that can bench 2X their bodyweight is impressive. Its really all opinion though and my ultimate goal is 600lbs.

guyfromkop2 · 07-11-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jstrong20

315 is respectable. Its more than most cats in the gym will ever be able to do but should be attainalbe for most that are patient and train and eat properly. Anybody that can bench 2X their bodyweight is impressive. Its really all opinion though and my ultimate goal is 600lbs.

raw? only a couple people in the world have ever done that, if you can more power to you, with a shirt? will take a lot of work but definately possible

**Beowulf** · 07-11-2006, 09:46 PM

It took me forever to get up to 1xBW, and that was when I was in the 170's. I almost never do less than 4-5 reps, and that is usually on deads.

My most recent bench max was 225x3 on incline. Not bad considering a year ago I was struggling with 135x6. My shoulders don't like flat BB bench, so I typically avoid it, but I may rotate it into my DC style program in a few months to see how it goes.

**somewhatgifted** · 07-11-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDyson

It all depends on your goal. In high school, I was 155-160, and I maxed out at 375, w/ respectable deads and squats(thats all my coach made us do). I needed alot of raw power for the sports I was in. Now, I'm 185-190, and I never max out, because I never grew much when training like that, and I have a more bodybuilding type mindset. In order for me to grow, I need to switch up the reps, form, speed, weight etc, in order to get the most growth; not to mention I don't just do 1 exercise for chest. So, yeah 1.25-1.75 is good, but it's not a standard and it only matters if you use perfect form, as with any/every exercise.

where you from rob?

**CHAPS** · 07-11-2006, 10:23 PM

I don't do flat, i do incline and i can do 340lbs for 8 reps, but i care more about squats and deads then bench press, i mainly use dumbbells for chest anyway. Oh and my inclines are done super strict, nice n slow with a pause at the bottom and they are in the smith machine, 340lbs is weight on the bar, i don't count the bar. I expect this and all my weights to go up quite a bit now that i'm training DC style. Flat bench has never agreed with my shoulders and i think it's overrated. I haven't done maxes in a longtime but i just typed in my weight into a 1 rep max calculator and it says i should be able to incline 422lbs for 1 rep, that's cool.

RobDyson · 07-11-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somewhatgifted

where you from rob?

New York, but I go to college now in DC (and we don't have any barbells here, only db and smith-machine.

**Basso** · 07-11-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHAPS

I don't do flat, i do incline and i can do 340lbs for 8 reps, but i care more about squats and deads then bench press, i mainly use dumbbells for chest anyway. Oh and my inclines are done super strict, nice n slow with a pause at the bottom and they are in the smith machine, 340lbs is weight on the bar, i don't count the bar. I expect this and all my weights to go up quite a bit now that i'm training DC style. Flat bench has never agreed with my shoulders and i think it's overrated. I haven't done maxes in a longtime but i just typed in my weight into a 1 rep max calculator and it says i should be able to incline 422lbs for 1 rep, that's cool.

Yeh, my question is how much can you DL, who cares about BP, to many variables!

guyfromkop2 · 07-11-2006, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHAPS

I don't do flat, i do incline and i can do 340lbs for 8 reps, but i care more about squats and deads then bench press, i mainly use dumbbells for chest anyway. Oh and my inclines are done super strict, nice n slow with a pause at the bottom and they are in the smith machine, 340lbs is weight on the bar, i don't count the bar. I expect this and all my weights to go up quite a bit now that i'm training DC style. Flat bench has never agreed with my shoulders and i think it's overrated. I haven't done maxes in a longtime but i just typed in my weight into a 1 rep max calculator and it says i should be able to incline 422lbs for 1 rep, that's cool.

but that's on a smith machine, it's completely different than free weights

**Jayhawkk** · 07-11-2006, 11:09 PM

Hell, variables are there for any lift. You just pick the exercise/lift for the strength or endurance and body part you want.

**Basso** · 07-11-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyfromkop2

but that's on a smith machine, it's completely different than free weights

AAAH, Smith Machine, man I need to read better, dude get out of that death trap!

**Basso** · 07-11-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Hell, variables are there for any lift. You just pick the exercise/lift for the strength or endurance and body part you want.

The only variable for deadlift is how much weight can ya pick up

guyfromkop2 · 07-11-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basso

AAAH, Smith Machine, man I need to read better, dude get out of that death trap!

the only thing that thing is good for is wrapping the straps of my squat and deadlift suits around to help jack them up

**Basso** · 07-11-2006, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyfromkop2

the only thing that thing is good for is wrapping the straps of my squat and deadlift suits around to help jack them up

Makes a nice towel rack and it's good for really short people to do pull-ups on.

phillyb · 07-11-2006, 11:18 PM

I used to use the Smith Machine when I first started lifting weights. It allowed me to familiarize myself with benching and squats. God knows that if I tried to do squats without the Smith Machine at first, I would have fallen over and crushed myself because my form was horrible and I had no experience. It kind of took away some of the danger of lifting without a spotter for me when I was a n00b.

Jstrong20 · 07-11-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyfromkop2

raw? only a couple people in the world have ever done that, if you can more power to you, with a shirt? will take a lot of work but definately possible

Yep 600lbs raw is my goal. I'm not even close right now though but have been recently started focusing all my efforts into increasing my bench. I think I have a chance to be a good bencher but have had alot of injuries that caused big pauses in my training. Its crazy how I put all my effort into benching and the highest I've gone is 400lbs(really pisses me off I couldn't get the 5 extra lbs to make it 4 wheels.lol). Yet my damn deadlift has been up to 600lbs and I don't even focus on it.

**Jayhawkk** · 07-11-2006, 11:21 PM

Nah, form has a lot to do with deadlifts and the grip plays a role into it as well if you want comparable numbers. And you guys beat the **** out of the smith machine but it can provide some nice exercises.

ICEBERG · 07-11-2006, 11:50 PM

Basso, I extend my thumbs out away from my fingers and never ever use a fist grip unless I am doing pull-ups or dips. I will go back to the "feet planted on floor" benchpress and see what happens. Again, I never profess to be a guru but you don't know what will happen unless you try it. Another example is Squats - some say "ass to the floor" is the proper form, others say "lower until parallel to mat" I learn by doing and if I like something I stick with it and suggest it to others. I think my post was misunderstood and I came off as someone who marches to the beat of a different drummer. Rest assured I truly enjoy engaging in these forums and chatting with people who love weight training as much as I do. I still have a ways to go - and I am starting a 6 month Certification Program this October to become a Personal Trainer. I am impressed by the weight you guys are throwing around- and its guys like you who fuel my fire and inspire me.