What's Strong for a Natural?

[lil.greggy]

@atlas13

I always dislike 1 rep maxes. I feel like they are so dependent on form, cns, mental, etc. Perfect for powerlifting, but I dont think that is always the best way to judge pure “Brute” strength.

Some numbers I would throw out

Overhead Press: 1855x5
Bench: 275x5
Squat: 365x5
Dead: 455x5

This along the lines of what I was trying to allude to earlier in the discussion (this thread getting a bit long now).

@lil.greggy

Going on a tangent, but how often do natural bodybuilders even train at 95%+, let alone test 1RPM? Is there a better RPM to gauge being “strong for a bodybuilder”?

I guess my point being that my approach to gauging a bodybuilder’s strength is more on what their working weight is at for the big lifts.I would say a natural bodybuilder who can do working sets (6+ reps) of 1.5, 2, 2.5 x BW is strong. . For instance, if I see someone ~180 lbs in the gym doing working sets of 6+ quality reps squatting 365+ lbs, I would consider them strong. Certainly you can extrapolate that to estimate 1RPM, just saying it’s a more direct way of gauging strength you’re likely to see in the gym.

[TX_iron]

Any man (regardless of weight) whom can shoulder a 300lb sandbag, and any woman whom could shoulder a 150# sandbag would be undeniably strong in my view. No real crisp technique, leverages don’t seem too huge a factor, and shouldering a sandbag is difficult.

[atlashrugged]

Looking up the world records, in my weight category (181lbs, I’m a few pounds less), the 50%s are:
-a tad more of 2xBW on squat
-about 2.25xBW on deadlift
-a tad more than 1.5xBW on bench

The drug tested records are lower.
Those sounds like good numbers for a generically “strong” common mortal and/or someone who wants to focus on bodybuilding with a good strength base.
For someone who wants to train more strength oriented, these are pretty much the basic numbers to achieve before the actual “trully strong” phase begins, I guess.

[flipcollar]

you compete in strongman? if you do and you do texas comps, there’s a good chance i’ve seen you, lol. WHO ARE YOU?

[brady888]

@flipcollar

WHO ARE YOU?

This made me uncomfortable.

[TX_iron]

I’m not the amateur strongman they need, but the amateur strongman they deserve.

Haha. I’m pretty new, only coming up on my 3rd Comp. My first was in Austin and the second in Corpus, next is Houston’s Strongest man June 3rd. You going to be there? Been looking to do one in Arlington, there seem to be some great shows there.

-Matt

[flipcollar]

Dude that’s awesome! The Corpus one looked like fun, I just couldn’t make it happen with my schedule.

I’m soooo torn on the Houston one. I just saw there are only a few spots left… My girlfriend really wants me to do a trip with her that weekend, but the events for that show are so enticing, I think I’d have a real shot at winning. So there’s a good chance I’ll do it. I’ll let you know if I sign up! My next show is in Plano 2 weeks before that.

[TX_iron]

Man we had a blast. We had to drop the big rig pull though, even the SHW guys couldn’t budge that thing. Might happen again next year possibly.

Hey, there is always plenty to do in Houston for you and your lady! Yeah it looks like it’s gonna be a full show, I’m stoked that there already seem to be quite a few 175ers. You compete under 200 right?

I really like the events too; appears to be a really good mix. Glad it’s not a straight bar deadlift since the stones are AMRAP. Though being taller, leaner fellows the stone-to-shoulder sort of removes any height advantage we’d get from more typical stone events. That wheelbarrow though, lol, I have no damn idea how that one’s gonna go.

Yeah man let me know!
& damn, 2 weeks before? You’re a madman lol.

[flipcollar]

Yea, I’d be in the 200 class. I couldn’t cut to 175 at this point without a lot of trouble, and it wouldn’t be worth it anyway seeing as how fucking stacked the 175s are lol.

Unfortunately, my lady friend is doing the trip no matter what. That’s the issue. It’s a trip she’s been planning with a group for 6+ months. She lives in Galveston though, I fly into houston everytime i see her.

Yes, there is indeed no advantage to being tall for the stones, lol. The stone and log are exactly the same comp weight for me as my show in plano, so i’ve been practicing those. I’ve gotten 7 reps on the stone in a minute, and I’m probably good for 7+ reps on the log. I couldn’t care less what type of deadlift it is, that’s always a good event for me.

I’m terrible at carries, and there aren’t any in this one. so that’s why i want to do it. Last time I did an arm over arm pull was at one of Barrett’s shows, and I won it, so I know what to expect. And I’m good with a prowler. But I’m in the same boat as you with the wheel barrow. No fucking clue how that will go.

[TX_iron]

Haha, yeah I’ve been trying to size up the competition and it looks like it’s gonna be a good one. The guy who beat me last time is going to be there & he’s a beast. I really want to beat him.

Ahh. Well at least Galveston isn’t too far if you decide to do it.

Damn that’s pretty convenient! I haven’t handled the comp weight (180) stone, but can shoulder a 165 for a handful of clean reaps, and loaded the 165 over a bar 15 times in a minute in my last comp, so I feel good about the stones. I have an abysmal log though; we’ll see where I’m at on it after this deload.

[flipcollar]

ahhhhhh I didn’t realize you were a 175 guy. Dude, Ben Hayden is in your class, and I imagine he’ll be competing in this show. He’s a fucking monster. I don’t know if he’s the guy you’re talking about… but good luck with that one, lol. He made it to the Arnold this year.

I’m in the 200 class, so the stone weight jumps pretty substantially. I’ve gotta do a 220 stone.

What’s your log at? Ben’s around 270+ max log from what I’ve seen recently, so I’d guess he’ll be able to push 12+ reps.

[TX_iron]

Yeah haha, went 200 in my first show and got smoked. I’m naturally tall & skinny so 175 is a good fot for the time being. Eventually I’d like to compete at 2, but would like another 10 solid lbs on my frame before then. Maybe around the end of next year.

That’s a big ass jump. I sort of remember seeing it when I looked over the entry form and was a bit surprised.

Not the guy I was talking about but damn, 270+? I’m not sure exactly where mine is at right now, have been doing all submax using 531 Hardgainer. Realistically though, I’ll be happy with getting on the board plus some. I’m banking on making up for it with the stones.

[duketheslaya]

@AliveAgain36

3/4/6/7 - really, really fucking strong.

@Alpha is in this category