Calling All Dudes 23 and Younger

[quote]tubesteakboogie wrote:
censorship at its best![/quote]

You can call it what you want but I am tired of people calling me out. I will continue to erase your posts as long as they are focused on acting like I need to lie about my stats.

I am all for people questioning me. I question them. Troll posts will not be accepted if I see them.

Sorry.

why the fuck does everyone have to preface their post with “I did x with y conditions z years/months ago”? When your profile dings 23- post a video in this thread. That is all. Otherwise stfu pls.

I feel like a vagina:

I wasnt afraid to lose the abs (don’t know what they look like anyway)
Trained with PLers
Dedicated myself to the big 3
Ate high protein (3-400g) and calories close to 5k

And I still sit here at 260lbs able to bench ~300lbs at 24 (started at 19yrs old benching maybe the bar the first time)

I can have all the excuses in the world (long arms, shoulder pains, low test, etc), but the real issue I think was a lack of intensity mixed with improper training. Singles never did crap for me yet I didnt change sooner.

No one to blame but myself!

[quote]Schwarzfahrer wrote:
Guys, please educate me:

how likely is it to bp 400lbs natural?

Those who read my posts know, I am liberal towards drug use, don’t want to downplay this feat of strength nor the hard work it takes - not in the slightest.
It’s quite an acomplishment.

I ask because a lot of experienced (german) lifters I dealt with or read from find this idea unrealistic.

If someone did this naturally, please speak up! I’m really curious here.

Stay strong-pressing!
-S.[/quote]

Germany has got to be the worst country ever when it comes to strength training.

We have maybe 3 or 4 hardcore gyms in the entire country (ok, maybe more, but few and far in-between), not counting a few private PL gyms…

-People here start out/are RIDICULOUSLY WEAK.

-As you said, 100Kg on the bench is considered major weight here, while that’s basically total beginner level.

-Most don’t have a clue as to what is “strong”/achievable.

-Almost everyone gets shitfaced practically every day in my area. That doesn’t help you get any stronger.

-People’s diets are crap over here.

-They don’t have a fucking clue about programming.

-They don’t have a fucking clue about setup and technique, and I mean NONE.

-They live in their own small world and have no idea what’s going on outside of Germany. They all love to tell you how American supplements are laced with drugs and how every really strong guy is on gear though.
All experts when it comes to that stuff :slight_smile:

-Zero intensity and control over their musculature. No explosiveness either.

-Local “natural bodybuilders” are anything but bodybuilders in my opinion. I don’t know why every ass feels the need to call himself a bodybuilder nowadays, just because they lift (light) weights.

-The opinion of some local “advanced guys” at my last gym was that bodybuilding = something like 4-6 sets of 12-15+ reps on 4-5 exercises per bodypart, light weight for the pump. And yes, they were serious.

-Most here are constantly lean. That’s not how you get strong and big, at least not in most cases. Those guys stay almost exactly the same year after year.

Do yourself a favor: Find a proper gym or some training partner who is putting up major weight, even if he is using. It helps a lot to have someone who inspires you… Lift around people who are much stronger etc.
Someone with great genetic muscle-shape who weighs less than your dog and puts up baby numbers is not someone I’d listen to for training and diet advice for genetically ~average guys either.

As for the “chance” of benching 405 naturally… It’s zero for most simply because of:
-shitty diet
-shitty technique/setup
-mind-set
etc.

I doubt that there are many guys with “average” genetics who can’t potentially reach a 405 raw bench naturally. They’re just too damn stupid to get there.

Thing is, if you really are a serious trainee, then 405 is far from un-achievable.
For someone my height and structure, 405 raw flat or close grip for a single is pretty much the end of the intermediate stage (pressing-wise anyway)… Someone taller like Waylander or AustinBicep will have to bench 445 or something like that and weigh a lot more to break into the advanced stage as far as serious training goes.

Some get there sooner than others, of course… At average height (5’10 or so, ~178cm) as a drug free male in your teens or twenties, benching 405 at 200lb bw or less is going to be very difficult to achieve raw (you’d either have to get much bigger and stronger first and then diet down, or do a lot of relative-strength work while trying not to get over 200 lbs and get up to 405 at snail’s pace. That is imo retarded for someone of average height though… And it’s going to take way too long if you’re not especially gifted for benching)
I think at around 220-230 you can definitely make it though, and by 240 you probably should be doing it or surpassing it, even with long arms.

If regular flat bench is not for you, then a closer grip (tucked elbows on the way down, competition setup, not necessarily a huge arch though) may help. It sure helped me…

I get the impression that a lot of people have the same mentality when it comes to training as they have with, say, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, their own driving skills etc.
Now, I don’t want to start some debate about smoking, so all the idiots who feel the need to defend their habits can kindly refrain from commenting.

Most go about this with sort of a “whatever” attitude: “I can get lung-cancer from that? Ah, probably won’t happen to me. I’ll keep doing it, it’ll be ok”.

“I can drive just fine and I’m sure I’ll get lucky if I simply change lanes 2 meters in front of the car behind me on the speedway… Without using the indicator or only using it AFTER I’ve changed lanes”.

“Oh, this part of the road looks awfully narrow, and look, there’s a steep cliff on the other side… And there’s a car coming my way… Well, he really has no space to evade, but I’ll just stare and steer straight ahead, preferably going 40Km/h over the speed limit and I’m sure nothing will happen”.

Same goes for studying: “I know I suck at this subject and the finding employment (esp. if I want a decent salary) is very difficult here these days, but fuck studying, I’ll just go and drink with my buddies. I’m sure I’ll be fine”.

And so it goes for lifting:

“Uh, I know I’m supposed to eat 1.8-2 grams of protein per lb of bodyweight and way more calories overall, and I know I’m supposed to gain weight and get much, much stronger, but fuck that, maybe if I keep eating the way I do and occasionally drink some milk I’ll still get bigger…”

Most of the time people know, at least to some degree, that they’re not really doing it the way it’s supposed to be done, that they’re not really doing what HAS to be done to assure success or at least give them a high chance of success. They just sort of close their eyes and pray that, against all odds, they’ll achieve what they want anyway.

[quote]Cephalic_Carnage wrote:
I get the impression that a lot of people have the same mentality when it comes to training as they have with, say, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, their own driving skills etc.
Now, I don’t want to start some debate about smoking, so all the idiots who feel the need to defend their habits can kindly refrain from commenting.

Most go about this with sort of a “whatever” attitude: “I can get lung-cancer from that? Ah, probably won’t happen to me. I’ll keep doing it, it’ll be ok”.

“I can drive just fine and I’m sure I’ll get lucky if I simply change lanes 2 meters in front of the car behind me on the speedway… Without using the indicator or only using it AFTER I’ve changed lanes”.

“Oh, this part of the road looks awfully narrow, and look, there’s a steep cliff on the other side… And there’s a car coming my way… Well, he really has no space to evade, but I’ll just stare and steer straight ahead, preferably going 40Km/h over the speed limit and I’m sure nothing will happen”.

Same goes for studying: “I know I suck at this subject and the finding employment (esp. if I want a decent salary) is very difficult here these days, but fuck studying, I’ll just go and drink with my buddies. I’m sure I’ll be fine”.

And so it goes for lifting:

“Uh, I know I’m supposed to eat 1.8-2 grams of protein per lb of bodyweight and way more calories overall, and I know I’m supposed to gain weight and get much, much stronger, but fuck that, maybe if I keep eating the way I do and occasionally drink some milk I’ll still get bigger…”

Most of the time people know, at least to some degree, that they’re not really doing it the way it’s supposed to be done, that they’re not really doing what HAS to be done to assure success or at least give them a high chance of success. They just sort of close their eyes and pray that, against all odds, they’ll achieve what they want anyway.

[/quote]

LMAO!!

So true.

[quote]Standard Donkey wrote:

[quote]Liv92 wrote:

[quote]Brazil wrote:

[quote]Professor X wrote:

[quote]Brazil wrote:

[quote]Liv92 wrote:

yeah 405 bench that doesn’t imply a strong person… they’re just good at benching ya know?

/sarcasm
[/quote]

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.

[quote]Liv92 wrote:

Usain Bolt isn’t a fast person, hes just a good sprinter ya kno?

[/quote]

Good Sprinter // Fast = Strong Person // High Bench?

That’s a terrible analogy, dude.[/quote]

You’re an idiot.

What fucking person that can bench press 405lbs for reps is NOT strong?

His analogies were spot on. You just seem to not get it.[/quote]

Fact: a good sprinter is fast.

If you think “being strong” is entirely dependent on the bench press, then that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. If, however, you think that the squat and deadlift are important for “being strong”, then the above analogy is inaccurate. Surely, you’ve met someone with a high bench but nothing impressive in the other two lifts.

The egotistical idiot here is you.[/quote]

Dude are you fucking crazy??? What person that can bench 405 isn’t strong? Do you know wtf your saying dude, seriously?
[/quote]

some people would rather debate semantics it seems…[/quote]

in retrospect, T-Nation is not the right place to discuss semantics

[quote]Cephalic_Carnage wrote:
I get the impression that a lot of people have the same mentality when it comes to training as they have with, say, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, their own driving skills etc.
Now, I don’t want to start some debate about smoking, so all the idiots who feel the need to defend their habits can kindly refrain from commenting.

Most go about this with sort of a “whatever” attitude: “I can get lung-cancer from that? Ah, probably won’t happen to me. I’ll keep doing it, it’ll be ok”.

“I can drive just fine and I’m sure I’ll get lucky if I simply change lanes 2 meters in front of the car behind me on the speedway… Without using the indicator or only using it AFTER I’ve changed lanes”.

“Oh, this part of the road looks awfully narrow, and look, there’s a steep cliff on the other side… And there’s a car coming my way… Well, he really has no space to evade, but I’ll just stare and steer straight ahead, preferably going 40Km/h over the speed limit and I’m sure nothing will happen”.

Same goes for studying: “I know I suck at this subject and the finding employment (esp. if I want a decent salary) is very difficult here these days, but fuck studying, I’ll just go and drink with my buddies. I’m sure I’ll be fine”.

And so it goes for lifting:

“Uh, I know I’m supposed to eat 1.8-2 grams of protein per lb of bodyweight and way more calories overall, and I know I’m supposed to gain weight and get much, much stronger, but fuck that, maybe if I keep eating the way I do and occasionally drink some milk I’ll still get bigger…”

Most of the time people know, at least to some degree, that they’re not really doing it the way it’s supposed to be done, that they’re not really doing what HAS to be done to assure success or at least give them a high chance of success. They just sort of close their eyes and pray that, against all odds, they’ll achieve what they want anyway.

[/quote]

Awesome last two posts.

That explains why there are so few really big guys around anymore. Somehow, though, all of these people think they are geniuses for NOT making progress.

It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[/quote]

WTF?

How are some of you still this clueless about what this thread is about?

Can YOU lift 405lbs on a bench press? If not, then why post?

So, the conclusion is that this board is filled with weak people who can’t bench press that much after years of training supposedly focusing on the smallest details of training and nutrition.

Could someone tell me why some of you think all of these flashy new terms and brand named programs are worth worrying about when the truth is, most of you aren’t making much progress outside of initial beginner gains?

Why is it all of those “stupid” people that some of you laugh at for not knowing was “5x5” means are reaching their goals?

[quote]Professor X wrote:

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[/quote]

WTF?

How are some of you still this clueless about what this thread is about?

Can YOU lift 405lbs on a bench press? If not, then why post?[/quote]

LOL No, I don’t bench 405. I’m a female and a strength coach. I thought seeing an 18 year old who can do it might light a competitive fire under the ass of some of these 20-somethings who can’t yet.

I was blown away by how few guys here on T-Nation can put up 405. I’ve seen plenty of college age kids do it but I’ve noticed most don’t spend any time on the internet. They’re going to class, lifting, practice, hanging out with their buddies, playing video games, going to movies and eating a shit ton.

I had to explain to Brad (the kid in the spotlight) what a blog was - that’s how little time he spends on the internet. I think there’s a correlation between weakness and screwing around online. haha

[quote]Professor X wrote:

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[/quote]

WTF?

How are some of you still this clueless about what this thread is about?

Can YOU lift 405lbs on a bench press? If not, then why post?[/quote]

You certainly have a way with women…

I tried accusing my girlfriend of being unable to bench 405 and not knowing what this thread is about and all she said was “Fine. No sex for the next 4 weeks.”

Strange. Do I have to be black for it to work right?

:slight_smile:

[quote]Cephalic_Carnage wrote:

[quote]Professor X wrote:

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[/quote]

WTF?

How are some of you still this clueless about what this thread is about?

Can YOU lift 405lbs on a bench press? If not, then why post?[/quote]

You certainly have a way with women…

I tried accusing my girlfriend of being unable to bench 405 and not knowing what this thread is about and all she said was “Fine. No sex for the next 4 weeks.”

Strange. Do I have to be black for it to work right?

:slight_smile:

[/quote]

Yes.

They know we can’t go four weeks without sex.

It is a proven fact that if the American Black Male goes 4 entire weeks without sex, he either instantly turns into a transvestite, goes completely insane, or simply ceases to exist.

I made it to three and a half weeks once but threw in the towel when I started fading from old Polaroid photos a la Back To The Future.

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:

[quote]Professor X wrote:

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[/quote]

WTF?

How are some of you still this clueless about what this thread is about?

Can YOU lift 405lbs on a bench press? If not, then why post?[/quote]

LOL No, I don’t bench 405. I’m a female and a strength coach. I thought seeing an 18 year old who can do it might light a competitive fire under the ass of some of these 20-somethings who can’t yet.

I was blown away by how few guys here on T-Nation can put up 405. I’ve seen plenty of college age kids do it but I’ve noticed most don’t spend any time on the internet. They’re going to class, lifting, practice, hanging out with their buddies, playing video games, going to movies and eating a shit ton.

I had to explain to Brad (the kid in the spotlight) what a blog was - that’s how little time he spends on the internet. I think there’s a correlation between weakness and screwing around online. haha
[/quote]

You are now one very interesting person.

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
It’s funny you guys are going at it about this in here, I just interviewed an 18 year old kid with some awesome lifts including a 405 bench…pics and stats included… Black Ox Training: Black Ox Spotlight: Brad

[/quote]

Where are the videos of him doing it? Or did you actually witness it?

I’m 28 now…

I started training when I turned 22. I hit a 405 bench a month after I turned 23. I hit 505 a couple months before I turned 24.

I have above average genetics… I’m 6-4, I was 265 lbs and 23% bf according to one of those tanita electric impedence scales BEFORE I STARTED TRAINING. I maxed out my bench at 240 my second time I ever benched. I have short arms, (6-1 wingspan) so I’m natrally good at bench.

I wanted 500+ BAD. I lifted with INTENSITY that I don’t think many of you can ever understand. My eyes would be so bloodshot from the effort I put in it looked like I just smoked a huge blunt. Also, I knew I had to gain weight to make my goal. I would stuff myself with food till I felt ill EVERY DAY. I weighed 325 lbs when I benched 505.

I never took any steroids.

I think it’s PRETTY SAD that so many of you CANT do 405 and you think it’s so hard. Yes it’s a good weight but IT’S NOT THAT IMPOSSIBLE. Seems to me that alot of you need to GROW SOME BALLS.

I can’t speak for any other 20 somethings on here but I know I have the drive to get to 405 this year. I’m not going to type a long as post trying to convenience anyone on this thread that I can. All I’m gonna say is look out for me.

[quote]nate dawg wrote:

I think it’s PRETTY SAD that so many of you CANT do 405 and you think it’s so hard. Yes it’s a good weight but IT’S NOT THAT IMPOSSIBLE. Seems to me that alot of you need to GROW SOME BALLS.[/quote]

I agree, the excuses in this thread are retarded, but I always love it when someone like yourself chimes in, lists all of their genetic advantages (of which there are many) and then basically calls everyone else pathetic for not being able to do what they did.

It’s akin to me laughing at someone who is 5’8" because they can’t dunk a basketball.

[quote]nate dawg wrote:
I’m 28 now…

I started training when I turned 22. I hit a 405 bench a month after I turned 23. I hit 505 a couple months before I turned 24.

I have above average genetics… I’m 6-4, I was 265 lbs and 23% bf according to one of those tanita electric impedence scales BEFORE I STARTED TRAINING. I maxed out my bench at 240 my second time I ever benched. I have short arms, (6-1 wingspan) so I’m natrally good at bench.

I wanted 500+ BAD. I lifted with INTENSITY that I don’t think many of you can ever understand. My eyes would be so bloodshot from the effort I put in it looked like I just smoked a huge blunt. Also, I knew I had to gain weight to make my goal. I would stuff myself with food till I felt ill EVERY DAY. I weighed 325 lbs when I benched 505.

I never took any steroids.

I think it’s PRETTY SAD that so many of you CANT do 405 and you think it’s so hard. Yes it’s a good weight but IT’S NOT THAT IMPOSSIBLE. Seems to me that alot of you need to GROW SOME BALLS.[/quote]

That’s impressive. Any videos of you benching over 400?