My friends didn’t think it could be done. I did it anyways. No spotter.
Tighten up a bit, stop tap dancing, and you’ll be able to bench real weights.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Tighten up a bit, stop tap dancing, and you’ll be able to bench real weights.
;-)[/quote]
I was under them impression that I plant my feet fairly well by the time I initiate my actual lift? If not can you point it out so I can improve?
And yeah, not claiming 370 is some ridiculous lift, but its a good benchmark for me.
For me, not moving would not equal “tight,” ever. You don’t look set up and tight in your back and upper body, much less your legs. It’s like you’re using the weight of the barbell to stop you from moving; this isn’t getting “tight.”
You have plenty more strength in you, if you give yourself a firmer foundation. Dave Tate’s bench press videos on YouTube explain this better than I ever could, and I highly recommend them.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
For me, not moving would not equal “tight,” ever. You don’t look set up and tight in your back and upper body, much less your legs. It’s like you’re using the weight of the barbell to stop you from moving; this isn’t getting “tight.” You have plenty more strength in you, if you give yourself a firmer foundation. Dave Tate’s bench press videos on YouTube explain this better than I ever could, and I highly recommend them. [/quote]
Very good point. Your legs act as an anchor from which the rest of your body can draw stability and power from, I seem to have forgotten this somewhere along the way. Will check out Dave Tate’s videos. Thanks a lot for pointing this out.
I dont think arm size has anything to do w bench press…
nice lifting man
[quote]jakjak824 wrote:
I dont think arm size has anything to do w bench press…[/quote]
It doesn’t. That’s my point. I have small arms and received a lot of flack from guys I lifted with who had 18+ inch arms over it. I wanted to prove that I could out-lift them with proper training even with small arms.
I think there is way too much emphasis on having large arms unless you are going into bodybuilding. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I hear small arms associated with weakness. The number of times I’ve seen people ripping on “140 pound skater kids with 15” arms who think they’re cut since they have abs" even on this board is insane.
I understand the criticism… but why does arm size suddenly become one of the biggest knocks on someone when it doesn’t have all that much to do with actual strength in the big 3?
[quote]Arem wrote:
[quote]jakjak824 wrote:
I dont think arm size has anything to do w bench press…[/quote]
It doesn’t. That’s my point. I have small arms and received a lot of flack from guys I lifted with who had 18+ inch arms over it. I wanted to prove that I could out-lift them with proper training even with small arms.
I think there is way too much emphasis on having large arms unless you are going into bodybuilding. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I hear small arms associated with weakness. The number of times I’ve seen people ripping on “140 pound skater kids with 15” arms who think they’re cut since they have abs" even on this board is insane.
I understand the criticism… but why does arm size suddenly become one of the biggest knocks on someone when it doesn’t have all that much to do with actual strength in the big 3?
[/quote]
people always see your arms … the rest of your body will be covered up a large percent of the time
[quote]n00bpowalifta wrote:
[quote]Arem wrote:
[quote]jakjak824 wrote:
I dont think arm size has anything to do w bench press…[/quote]
It doesn’t. That’s my point. I have small arms and received a lot of flack from guys I lifted with who had 18+ inch arms over it. I wanted to prove that I could out-lift them with proper training even with small arms.
I think there is way too much emphasis on having large arms unless you are going into bodybuilding. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I hear small arms associated with weakness. The number of times I’ve seen people ripping on “140 pound skater kids with 15” arms who think they’re cut since they have abs" even on this board is insane.
I understand the criticism… but why does arm size suddenly become one of the biggest knocks on someone when it doesn’t have all that much to do with actual strength in the big 3?
[/quote]
people always see your arms … the rest of your body will be covered up a large percent of the time
[/quote]
This is why everyone should wear skirts more often. Show those quads.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
[quote]n00bpowalifta wrote:
[quote]Arem wrote:
[quote]jakjak824 wrote:
I dont think arm size has anything to do w bench press…[/quote]
It doesn’t. That’s my point. I have small arms and received a lot of flack from guys I lifted with who had 18+ inch arms over it. I wanted to prove that I could out-lift them with proper training even with small arms.
I think there is way too much emphasis on having large arms unless you are going into bodybuilding. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I hear small arms associated with weakness. The number of times I’ve seen people ripping on “140 pound skater kids with 15” arms who think they’re cut since they have abs" even on this board is insane.
I understand the criticism… but why does arm size suddenly become one of the biggest knocks on someone when it doesn’t have all that much to do with actual strength in the big 3?
[/quote]
people always see your arms … the rest of your body will be covered up a large percent of the time
[/quote]
This is why everyone should wear skirts more often. Show those quads.[/quote]
most of the lifters at our gym have very small quads.
Honestly man, work your form specifically your leg drive and arch. I think you should be benching up over 400. A little too much ants in the pants before the lift. Once your down on the bench you should be tight as all hell and gripping the shit out of the bar.
With some form tweaks your weights are gonna plow through the 400 barrier. Then you can prove that you don’t need big arms to even bench 400 
You need to get some new friends. They dont want you to be stronger. They want to fill your head with some bullshit stereotypes that they learn from their ads they read in “flex.” Fuck them. If you truely care about strength then surround yourself with strong people… both physically and mentally. Your friends suck.
[quote]Shedosk wrote:
Honestly man, work your form specifically your leg drive and arch. I think you should be benching up over 400. A little too much ants in the pants before the lift. Once your down on the bench you should be tight as all hell and gripping the shit out of the bar.
With some form tweaks your weights are gonna plow through the 400 barrier. Then you can prove that you don’t need big arms to even bench 400 :)[/quote]
Thanks. One of the problems I think is that this bench is a little too tall for me, that or I need a narrower foot placement. But yeah, looking at this video I can definitely tell that my feet were A. not firmly planted and B. moved around when I was lifting.
And yeah, I was a little nervous. Parents were out of town for the week and most I’ve ever benched previously was 315. Did not want to crack my ribs and have to drive myself to the hospital.
Before I read the posts, I thought this thread was about the length of your arms…I was like “of course you can bench 370” ha. Good job man.
I agree that you definitely have more in you. You looked very loose, no arch, and barely any leg drive. Recruiting the muscles of your back, the power and stability of your legs, and the shorter distance from the arch, you should have a good bit more pressing ability. Tweak your technique and tell us how it goes?
[quote]StormTheBeach wrote:
You need to get some new friends. They dont want you to be stronger. They want to fill your head with some bullshit stereotypes that they learn from their ads they read in “flex.” Fuck them. If you truely care about strength then surround yourself with strong people… both physically and mentally. Your friends suck.[/quote]
I think you’re reading too much into this. And if it weren’t for one of them in particular I’d probably still look like I did in this picture. That was me 2 years ago, before my friend decided to get me back into shape. And the two that gave me the most shit about my arms are training for bodybuilding competitions.
And yeah, Im gonna try and max out again on Sunday with more focus on form and see what happens.
[quote]Arem wrote:
[quote]StormTheBeach wrote:
You need to get some new friends. They dont want you to be stronger. They want to fill your head with some bullshit stereotypes that they learn from their ads they read in “flex.” Fuck them. If you truely care about strength then surround yourself with strong people… both physically and mentally. Your friends suck.[/quote]
I think you’re reading too much into this. And if it weren’t for one of them in particular I’d probably still look like I did in this picture. That was me 2 years ago, before my friend decided to get me back into shape. And the two that gave me the most shit about my arms are training for bodybuilding competitions.
And yeah, Im gonna try and max out again on Sunday with more focus on form and see what happens. [/quote]
THAT IS A HUGE TRANSFORMATION BRO
Not to mention you need some friends to give you shit sometimes. Atleast I do.
[quote]Chap Manly wrote:
Not to mention you need some friends to give you shit sometimes. Atleast I do.[/quote]
Definitely. If someones not busting my balls then somethings wrong. We’re guys, we’re cocky, and we’re young. We do and say some of the stupidest shit on the planet.
Gotta always have someone around to put you back in place. I’ve already gotten a ton of shit from some of my friends about the sleeveless shirt in the video, haha.
edit.