I’d love to join this as well. Better late than never. 24 years old, 5’ 10", 222 lbs, 225 lb max bench, 12 weeks of lifting currently. Hoping to hit 315 by the end of the year.
What do you guys consider a bench?
A real bench (butt on bench, bar touches chest) or that shit I see at globo gyms, with the bar magically stopping halfway through and the occasional air humping?
Not trying to call anyone out, just surprised to see so many quasi-300 benchers with so little training experience.
[quote]Broseph21 wrote:
What do you guys consider a bench?
A real bench (butt on bench, bar touches chest) or that shit I see at globo gyms, with the bar magically stopping halfway through and the occasional air humping?
Not trying to call anyone out, just surprised to see so many quasi-300 benchers with so little training experience.[/quote]
Feet on floor, ass on bench, bar must touch chest. No pause necessary. I don’t bounce it, but I’m not a nazi about it, either.
Not sure about grip width. I keep with the rule of ‘fingers must touch rings’, but with a span of 6’3" I’m sure I could do a bit more if I went collar-to-collar. Impossible without a narrow rack, though.
I’m also not the guy that determines the rules, either, so take my opinion for what it’s worth.
Butt and shoulders on bench. Feet wide and planted on floor. I have my pinkies on the rings. Bar always touches chest, no bounce, slight pause, then up as evenly as possible to lockout. I watched my 19 year old brother bench yesterday. His back was flat. Only the tips of his toes were on the floor, he had his pinkies about 3 inches narrower than the rings, and had a 3/4 rep everytime. I guess that’s what happens when he lifts with idiots instead of his own bro.
[quote]ssz28envy wrote:
Butt and shoulders on bench. Feet wide and planted on floor. I have my pinkies on the rings. Bar always touches chest, no bounce, slight pause, then up as evenly as possible to lockout. I watched my 19 year old brother bench yesterday. His back was flat. Only the tips of his toes were on the floor, he had his pinkies about 3 inches narrower than the rings, and had a 3/4 rep everytime. I guess that’s what happens when he lifts with idiots instead of his own bro.[/quote]
have you tried hitting him?
I actually think that may be how he got that way…too many slaps on the back of the head. That reminds me, he told me he and the friend he’s lifting with aren’t even counting the bar. He was telling me they warm up with 40 pounds and immediately I went, “Huh? How? Bar’s 45.” Then out it came.
Anyway, he’s more content thinking I don’t know anything and that his little friend is the greatest source of weightlifting information ever. Whatever. He’ll eventually leave Planet Fitness and come back to the garage. Maybe I should talk about this on one of the SRC threads…
[quote]Broseph21 wrote:
What do you guys consider a bench?
A real bench (butt on bench, bar touches chest) or that shit I see at globo gyms, with the bar magically stopping halfway through and the occasional air humping?
Not trying to call anyone out, just surprised to see so many quasi-300 benchers with so little training experience.[/quote]
I’m not really a quasi 300lber but I joined a powerlifting gym and may do a few competitions. I will post some videos when I do. I feel I have decent technique and hope with some coaching and hard work to hit 315 by the end of this year.
Great stuff then guys, kudos.
Update time: In 4 weeks my current cycle will have ended and I will start Wendler’s 5/3/1 program. Before I start that I will max so I can get the percentages right on for his program. This means in a month you’ll hopefully be seeing my bench go from 225 to 250, and because it’s a slower program I may not hit that 315 mark by the end of the year as previously hoped. As a side note, I’m hoping to get 300 for squat and 400 on dead at that point.
Late to the party:
29yo
242 BW
6’3"
Training fairly consistently for 10 months with about a year and a half of “exercising” before that.
Last work set was 3x5 @ 225. Going for 315 by year end.
I know it hasn’t been a month like I said, but I felt I was at the very top with my weight on major lifts so I decided to cut my program short in order to start 5/3/1. So, bench is now 230. I’m kind of disappointed, but 5 more than a couple weeks ago is alright. 85 to go…
Late entry:
Age: 24
Experience: Been lifting for three months, but I lifted for five years in high school. Spent the last few years distance running.
Height and weight: 5’10, 198-200
Current best: 220x8
Can I join this party? I’m at 230x8.
[quote]JayPierce wrote:
Update time, guys!
Six weeks ago, 285 was my 1RM. Today, I nailed it for two! Should put me right at 300 for a 1RM. If progress keeps coming like this, I’ll be at 315 in another 6-8 weeks.[/quote]
Man, you are right there! Good work.
On week 2 of 5/3/1 I hit 185 for 10 solid reps. That’s estimated to be about 247. Progress, gentlemen.
[quote]KRC wrote:
Late to the party:
29yo
242 BW
6’3"
Training fairly consistently for 10 months with about a year and a half of “exercising” before that.
Last work set was 3x5 @ 225. Going for 315 by year end. [/quote]
Maxed last week to finish Starting Strength. Hit 255 relatively fast and went to 275 which I got up a few inches off my chest. In hindsight I probably should have gone for 265, but what can ya do.
On to 315.
Finally hit my first brick wall. Tried two weeks in a row to nail 290x2, but nothin’ doin’. The second attempt was a harder fail than the first, so I backed off to 280x2 this week and I’ll start climbing right back up. Trying to decide between keeping the progression at 2.5lbs/wk, or bump it up to 5. Think I’ll PM MarauderMeat.
The great thing about doubles is that even if it’s a fairly easy double, you’re still lifting above 90% of 1RM. No worries about whether I’m lifting enough to force an adaptation.
[quote]JayPierce wrote:
Finally hit my first brick wall. Tried two weeks in a row to nail 290x2, but nothin’ doin’. The second attempt was a harder fail than the first, so I backed off to 280x2 this week and I’ll start climbing right back up. Trying to decide between keeping the progression at 2.5lbs/wk, or bump it up to 5. Think I’ll PM MarauderMeat.
The great thing about doubles is that even if it’s a fairly easy double, you’re still lifting above 90% of 1RM. No worries about whether I’m lifting enough to force an adaptation.[/quote]
Could you be stalled because your system needs a break?
Anyway, I barely missed at 295 where the tris take over (bottom mid-point). I did get three moderately difficult smooth singles at 275.
I’m in.
20 Years old.
185 lb bodyweight.
275 lb bench 1 RM.
Will post video of any updates in progress.
I’ll join, but instead of the bench press, I’ll put on my front squat.
