[quote]waylanderxx wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Many bodybuilders quit relying on the barbell bench as their main mass builder many years ago. I quit doing them. I saw more growth using dumbbells…and then when I maxed those out, I saw even more with HS machines.
Wish I had HS machines. The one thing that sucks though is I know I am a shoulder/arm dominate bencher, so I do dumb bells when I can. But my gym only has DB’s up to 120’s. Like I said I am using 405 for several reps these days so 120’s I can do for around 8-10 reps.
Obviously I can not progress weight wise, and continually going up in reps isn’t exactly optimal either, so most of the time I am stuck doing BB chest movements. It’s really frustrating. We have a few machine chest press machines but the max weight on those is like 300 lbs, so those are worthless too.
Any suggestions? I guess I could just try doing more sets or something lol.[/quote]
I used to strap that weight people use in their calves ya know? To do that ass exercise in which girls kick up, it will probably help you for some time.
If you’re using the 120’s you have more room for growth in that 8-10 rep range. Join a gym with HS equipment lol. The HS dip and HS incline and flat bench are unbeatable.I haven;t flat/incline barbelled in 5 years tbh. I used the barbell for standing push presses until I blew out my lower back for the 6th time.
Also if you’re shoulder-arms dominant try a “slight” arch in your back to keep you chest/ribcage puffed out. I begin each set by lying down/sitting upright in the position and move my arms contracting the chest hard for a few reps without gripping the handles/bar (if that makes sense) and then grip the bars and do the movement. Once you get int he “groove” of the movement you’ll be able to do it tille xhaustion.
HAve you tried to max out on the HS dip? This is very uncomfortable for me but I get a second seat from the calf raise and try to seat myself and let the elbows flare out, hands on widest part with some lean…since you can “cheat” a little with the lean, you can rapidly add weight to this movement. Also try to use the cable crossover for post exhaust or whatever. Practise YOUR most muscular with this machine (since you plan to compete you shdve evolved your most musc version by now) you’ll enjoy the results. Obviously pressing movement are the mass builders but flying with the cable crossover is a great tool for bodybuilders imo.
[quote]waylanderxx wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Many bodybuilders quit relying on the barbell bench as their main mass builder many years ago. I quit doing them. I saw more growth using dumbbells…and then when I maxed those out, I saw even more with HS machines.
Wish I had HS machines. The one thing that sucks though is I know I am a shoulder/arm dominate bencher, so I do dumb bells when I can. But my gym only has DB’s up to 120’s. Like I said I am using 405 for several reps these days so 120’s I can do for around 8-10 reps.
Obviously I can not progress weight wise, and continually going up in reps isn’t exactly optimal either, so most of the time I am stuck doing BB chest movements. It’s really frustrating. We have a few machine chest press machines but the max weight on those is like 300 lbs, so those are worthless too.
Any suggestions? I guess I could just try doing more sets or something lol.[/quote]
Out of idle curiosity, have you gotten to six plates a side on the hammer shoulder (if you use that movement for moderate reps of course)?
[quote]Professor X wrote:
waylanderxx wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Many bodybuilders quit relying on the barbell bench as their main mass builder many years ago. I quit doing them. I saw more growth using dumbbells…and then when I maxed those out, I saw even more with HS machines.
Wish I had HS machines. The one thing that sucks though is I know I am a shoulder/arm dominate bencher, so I do dumb bells when I can. But my gym only has DB’s up to 120’s. Like I said I am using 405 for several reps these days so 120’s I can do for around 8-10 reps.
Obviously I can not progress weight wise, and continually going up in reps isn’t exactly optimal either, so most of the time I am stuck doing BB chest movements. It’s really frustrating. We have a few machine chest press machines but the max weight on those is like 300 lbs, so those are worthless too.
Any suggestions? I guess I could just try doing more sets or something lol.
I am at the point now where I max out most machines.
For instance, I like to use that side lateral raise machine you sit in where the pad rests on your upper arm. I have had to resort to taking 45lbs plates and hanging them off the weight stack…but only one machine at one gym in my area is made to allow this.
In your case, yes, if you truly have no other options, increasing the sets and reps could lead to further growth.[/quote]
I used to strap that weight people use in their calves ya know? To do that ass exercise in which girls kick up, it will probably help you for some time.[/quote]
I used to strap that weight people use in their calves ya know? To do that ass exercise in which girls kick up, it will probably help you for some time.
I’m so confused lol. Care to elaborate some?[/quote]
I think he’s talking about ankle weights, with the trusty velcro straps.
Now attaching these to a weight stack on the other hand…?
Yup ankle weights, strap them to the wrist.
its gonna be uncomfortable when you start having to strap 20s.
Just trying to help you buy some time till you figure something out
[quote]tribunaldude wrote:
Out of idle curiosity, have you gotten to six plates a side on the hammer shoulder (if you use that movement for moderate reps of course)?
[/quote]
I don’t even think they hold 6 plates. I’ve used 5 before but my form was shitty. They don’t even have these at all of the gyms in my area so I usually can’t do them at all. If I do have a chance to use one, I often stick it at the end as my last movement and then go up to 4 plates a side.
[quote]waylanderxx wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Many bodybuilders quit relying on the barbell bench as their main mass builder many years ago. I quit doing them. I saw more growth using dumbbells…and then when I maxed those out, I saw even more with HS machines.
Wish I had HS machines. The one thing that sucks though is I know I am a shoulder/arm dominate bencher, so I do dumb bells when I can. But my gym only has DB’s up to 120’s. Like I said I am using 405 for several reps these days so 120’s I can do for around 8-10 reps.
Obviously I can not progress weight wise, and continually going up in reps isn’t exactly optimal either, so most of the time I am stuck doing BB chest movements. It’s really frustrating. We have a few machine chest press machines but the max weight on those is like 300 lbs, so those are worthless too.
Any suggestions? I guess I could just try doing more sets or something lol.[/quote]
Im nowhere near as strong/big as you guys, still looking for 315 bench, but just wondering whether something like Matt Kroczaleski’s kroc rows would work in this situation.
I know it was strength, not size, that Kroc was after but just thought Id just throw the idea out there.
Right, firstly I admit that my bench weight isn’t great and have difficulty increasing it with a full ROM(maybe my long arm syndrome!). Maybe I need to work on my tris more. However, most strength charts I look on suggest that at a bodyweight of 320lbs, an elite 1Rep Max is about 425lbs.
So the comment about repping for 400lbs to get a great chest is unrealistic for most average trainers (even those training fairly seriously drug free) - for a start they’ll be in a body mass zone under 250lbs.
Work on overall mass. Again, you can get to 225 and have a nice chest, you can outlift the 315 mark and have a shitty chest. Lift and progress more time and see if the problem persists.
