Worst of T NATION: Bench

Training Bodybuilding
41

[quote]rugggby wrote:
That bench would be well above average in 99% of gyms in England. Obviously on here it isn’t. I think its due to Americans having it bred into them at school / seeing the NFL combine etc. From what I gather, they’re encouraged to weight train for sport at school. I was discouraged because I wouldnt grow blah blah blahhh. All throughout age group levels of rugby I was told to only do press ups and situps, strictly bw exercises. I can’t even bench 100x 6, but I will in the next few months. Until the schooling is changed, imo, and we’re encouraged to weight train then things won’t change much over here. That’s just from my experience though.[/quote]

This. I watched the Vernon Kay American football thing on ITV the other week. He went over to watch a football high school team train. They had with their own gym (a real gym, not a cupboard) and the school provided them with free protein. Different world

42

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

This. I watched the Vernon Kay American football thing on ITV the other week. He went over to watch a football high school team train. They had with their own gym (a real gym, not a cupboard) and the school provided them with free protein. Different world[/quote]

Lol if you think that’s the norm over here. I wish I got free protein and my football team would have made me lift early on in highschool.

43

[quote]BiP wrote:

[quote]Marzouk wrote:
haha on par i guess… I used to train at a gym built into 3 floors of an old mill. A few national body builders came out of there.

The kinda place where you sweat to death in summer and freeze to death in winter, like not being able to grab the metal! Was a cool place with a fuck load of strong guys always tryna help you out.

I hate the mainstream places, jacuzzi’s n steam rooms, and 40kg dbs.

Not surprised there’s a bunch of paramore listening, twilight loving, skiny jean wearing cock smokers out there![/quote]

I can’t stand the big chain gyms. I had a look at Virgin Active when I was looking for a gym to join in London. One of the employees was showing me around and the only reason I didn’t leave after a minute was so as not to appear rude. The free weights area was maybe 10 m sq and ALL the weights in the place probably added up to 100kg. All that for Ã?£80 a month…

My current gym (Soho Gyms, a small, London only chain) is not too bad, there is a sizeable free weights area, a couple of big guys show up from time to time and no one gives me crap for deadlifting (for now). No power rack though and the music is absolutely horrible.

It seems to be pretty much as good as you can get in central London, with Jubilee Hall being possibly slightly better. I wouldn’t mind having a 3 floor mill somewhere here, though :slight_smile:

B.[/quote]

Not sure what part of London your from but the Gym-box in Westfields is a decent London gym, 3 power racks, dumbbells go up-to at least 65kg, a load of Hammer-Strength machines, free benches and quite a few big dudes walking around. Cant remember the prices, might be worth a look

44

[quote]Blaze_108 wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

This. I watched the Vernon Kay American football thing on ITV the other week. He went over to watch a football high school team train. They had with their own gym (a real gym, not a cupboard) and the school provided them with free protein. Different world[/quote]

Lol if you think that’s the norm over here. I wish I got free protein and my football team would have made me lift early on in highschool.[/quote]

Not that I think that’s the norm but their coach pretty much gave the impression that weight lifting was encouraged in their district and pretty much a given at high school level (among the football teams). Something you wont find over here, apart from in private schools maybe

45

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

[quote]Blaze_108 wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

This. I watched the Vernon Kay American football thing on ITV the other week. He went over to watch a football high school team train. They had with their own gym (a real gym, not a cupboard) and the school provided them with free protein. Different world[/quote]

Lol if you think that’s the norm over here. I wish I got free protein and my football team would have made me lift early on in highschool.[/quote]

Not that I think that’s the norm but their coach pretty much gave the impression that weight lifting was encouraged in their district and pretty much a given at high school level (among the football teams). Something you wont find over here, apart from in private schools maybe[/quote]

The focus on weightlifting is certainly the norm in Kentucky, and we aren’t even a good talent bed for football. I’d be willing to bet anywhere football is taken seriously you will see the same sort of thing.

I feel bad for you across-the-ponders. Nearly everyone at my high school on the powerlifting/football teams could best the numbers you are describing within a few years of training, including me at a rail-like 160 pounds.

46

http://articles.elitefts.com/articles/features/so-you-think-you-can-bench-get-the-whole-series-here/

read > learn > implement > improve

47

[quote]HeavyTriple wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

[quote]Blaze_108 wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

This. I watched the Vernon Kay American football thing on ITV the other week. He went over to watch a football high school team train. They had with their own gym (a real gym, not a cupboard) and the school provided them with free protein. Different world[/quote]

Lol if you think that’s the norm over here. I wish I got free protein and my football team would have made me lift early on in highschool.[/quote]

Not that I think that’s the norm but their coach pretty much gave the impression that weight lifting was encouraged in their district and pretty much a given at high school level (among the football teams). Something you wont find over here, apart from in private schools maybe[/quote]

The focus on weightlifting is certainly the norm in Kentucky, and we aren’t even a good talent bed for football. I’d be willing to bet anywhere football is taken seriously you will see the same sort of thing.

I feel bad for you across-the-ponders. Nearly everyone at my high school on the powerlifting/football teams could best the numbers you are describing within a few years of training, including me at a rail-like 160 pounds.[/quote]

Jesus, I couldn’t even imagine having a powerlifting team when I was at school. Health and safety rule supreme over here. There wouldn’t be a chance in hell. I remember when I was 14, and an old school rugby playing teacher let us have a break from the norm and we had p.e lesson, which we played wrestling games. it was the best lesson I’ve ever had. other pupils were all watching through the window thinking wtf was going on, but talking to them after, they would’ve loved to have a go. but eventually, I think someone complained / another teacher saw, and it ended there with the teacher getting discicplined. Noone got hurt, just the schools fear of being sued.

48

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

[quote]BiP wrote:

[quote]Marzouk wrote:
haha on par i guess… I used to train at a gym built into 3 floors of an old mill. A few national body builders came out of there.

The kinda place where you sweat to death in summer and freeze to death in winter, like not being able to grab the metal! Was a cool place with a fuck load of strong guys always tryna help you out.

I hate the mainstream places, jacuzzi’s n steam rooms, and 40kg dbs.

Not surprised there’s a bunch of paramore listening, twilight loving, skiny jean wearing cock smokers out there![/quote]

I can’t stand the big chain gyms. I had a look at Virgin Active when I was looking for a gym to join in London. One of the employees was showing me around and the only reason I didn’t leave after a minute was so as not to appear rude. The free weights area was maybe 10 m sq and ALL the weights in the place probably added up to 100kg. All that for Ã??Ã?£80 a month…

My current gym (Soho Gyms, a small, London only chain) is not too bad, there is a sizeable free weights area, a couple of big guys show up from time to time and no one gives me crap for deadlifting (for now). No power rack though and the music is absolutely horrible.

It seems to be pretty much as good as you can get in central London, with Jubilee Hall being possibly slightly better. I wouldn’t mind having a 3 floor mill somewhere here, though :slight_smile:

B.[/quote]

Not sure what part of London your from but the Gym-box in Westfields is a decent London gym, 3 power racks, dumbbells go up-to at least 65kg, a load of Hammer-Strength machines, free benches and quite a few big dudes walking around. Cant remember the prices, might be worth a look
[/quote]

Yeah mate, sounds like youre from north of the river. If youre not and youre from the south, theres a hardcore gym in catford / sydenham way i used to go to. It was owned by wolf from gladiators, then dave talbot a pro bodybuilder from england, whos passed away now. I think its called metroflex. But its a specialist bodybuilding gym. Different machines to hit each bicep head etc.

49
50

[quote]rugggby wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

[quote]BiP wrote:

[quote]Marzouk wrote:
haha on par i guess… I used to train at a gym built into 3 floors of an old mill. A few national body builders came out of there.

The kinda place where you sweat to death in summer and freeze to death in winter, like not being able to grab the metal! Was a cool place with a fuck load of strong guys always tryna help you out.

I hate the mainstream places, jacuzzi’s n steam rooms, and 40kg dbs.

Not surprised there’s a bunch of paramore listening, twilight loving, skiny jean wearing cock smokers out there![/quote]

I can’t stand the big chain gyms. I had a look at Virgin Active when I was looking for a gym to join in London. One of the employees was showing me around and the only reason I didn’t leave after a minute was so as not to appear rude. The free weights area was maybe 10 m sq and ALL the weights in the place probably added up to 100kg. All that for Ã???Ã??Ã?£80 a month…

My current gym (Soho Gyms, a small, London only chain) is not too bad, there is a sizeable free weights area, a couple of big guys show up from time to time and no one gives me crap for deadlifting (for now). No power rack though and the music is absolutely horrible.

It seems to be pretty much as good as you can get in central London, with Jubilee Hall being possibly slightly better. I wouldn’t mind having a 3 floor mill somewhere here, though :slight_smile:

B.[/quote]

Not sure what part of London your from but the Gym-box in Westfields is a decent London gym, 3 power racks, dumbbells go up-to at least 65kg, a load of Hammer-Strength machines, free benches and quite a few big dudes walking around. Cant remember the prices, might be worth a look
[/quote]

Yeah mate, sounds like youre from north of the river. If youre not and youre from the south, theres a hardcore gym in catford / sydenham way i used to go to. It was owned by wolf from gladiators, then dave talbot a pro bodybuilder from england, whos passed away now. I think its called metroflex. But its a specialist bodybuilding gym. Different machines to hit each bicep head etc.[/quote]

I’m near Strand pretty much all day (9/10am - 9pm) and go to the gym during my lunch break. So it’s pretty much down to the gyms in the Covent Garden area.

Don’t get me wrong, my gym is definitely good enough to train in. It’s just that I would kill for a power rack :wink:

51

BIP: I dunno why you don’t go to Jubilee Hall then…? It has two power racks, two flat benches, a decline bench, 3 smith machines, loads of cable systems. Admittedly the DBs only go to 60kg.

Anyway it’s where I train and the atmosphere is really good, very friendly. There are some big strong fuckers there too, the other day I was spotting a guy benching 4 plates for 10 reps.

On topic: my bench sucks but I am working hard at it. I hope to have hit at least 130kg for a single by the end of this year and if all goes well then 3 plates is the goal. Current max is 110. Right now I’m trying the periodisation method that Austin_Bicep wrote about in the 315 bench thread in the beginners forum.

52

[quote]AccipiterQ wrote:
I’ll add this: I stopped doing direct arm training a couple years ago and my max bench has gone from 235 to 340. Unless you’re failing at lockout I doubt direct arm training would make a ton of difference. [/quote]

My bench stalled at 275x4 for months. I added direct tricep work in November and I’m good for about 300x4 right now. My sticking point wasn’t lockout, it was right at parallel.

53

[quote]Jab1 wrote:
BIP: I dunno why you don’t go to Jubilee Hall then…? It has two power racks, two flat benches, a decline bench, 3 smith machines, loads of cable systems. Admittedly the DBs only go to 60kg.
[/quote]

I’m actually considering going there, but my contract with Soho Gyms doesn’t run out until may or so. It’s exactly the same price and I went there once briefly to have a look and I liked it. I might go there for a trial session in April to see how I like it.

B.

54

[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]AccipiterQ wrote:
I’ll add this: I stopped doing direct arm training a couple years ago and my max bench has gone from 235 to 340. Unless you’re failing at lockout I doubt direct arm training would make a ton of difference. [/quote]

My bench stalled at 275x4 for months. I added direct tricep work in November and I’m good for about 300x4 right now. My sticking point wasn’t lockout, it was right at parallel. [/quote]

What is parallel? Upper arms parallel? Couple inches off your chest?

55

I think improvement is pretty individual. For meat he says super maximal stuff, but I’ve had better luck personally with shear volume. I did a “west side” ME thing for a number of years and had enough problems staying 100% it hampered my progress.

I’ve found that something more like sheiko has worked better for me on bench where the weights are lower but you put in lots of volume on the main basic lift.

But then again, meat’s bench is a lot better than mine.

56

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]AccipiterQ wrote:
I’ll add this: I stopped doing direct arm training a couple years ago and my max bench has gone from 235 to 340. Unless you’re failing at lockout I doubt direct arm training would make a ton of difference. [/quote]

My bench stalled at 275x4 for months. I added direct tricep work in November and I’m good for about 300x4 right now. My sticking point wasn’t lockout, it was right at parallel. [/quote]

What is parallel? Upper arms parallel? Couple inches off your chest?

[/quote]

Upper arms parallel with the floor. For me, it’s about 6-8 inches off the chest.

57

[quote]BiP wrote:

[quote]Jab1 wrote:
BIP: I dunno why you don’t go to Jubilee Hall then…? It has two power racks, two flat benches, a decline bench, 3 smith machines, loads of cable systems. Admittedly the DBs only go to 60kg.
[/quote]

I’m actually considering going there, but my contract with Soho Gyms doesn’t run out until may or so. It’s exactly the same price and I went there once briefly to have a look and I liked it. I might go there for a trial session in April to see how I like it.

B.
[/quote]
It’s further than Jubilee Hall but have you considered lifting at one of the uni gyms not too far away like the UCL gym? It’s £250 a year for non students and has a Hammer half rack, a power rack etc. Only 40kg dumbells though.

58

I find the further north in the UK you go, the more ‘hardcore’ the gyms are. I know this is a very big generalisation but at my girlfriend’s in West Sussex there is one proper bodybuilder’s gym within a 20 mile radius and everywhere else have fitness chains. i train at a big chain and in some london chains they don’t even have a power rack, whereas in the north of england/scotland they have rubber eleiko calibrated weights, olympic platforms, hammer strength machines, etc etc etc.

Also prices in london are crazy

59

[quote]ah_dut wrote:
It’s further than Jubilee Hall but have you considered lifting at one of the uni gyms not too far away like the UCL gym? It’s Ã?£250 a year for non students and has a Hammer half rack, a power rack etc. Only 40kg dumbells though. [/quote]

I’ll check it out, it’s close enough and from your description it might should be better than the KCL one. Thanks for the tip. Is it 250 for non-UCL students or non-students in general?

B.

60

[quote]HeavyTriple wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

[quote]Blaze_108 wrote:

[quote]trueblue316 wrote:

This. I watched the Vernon Kay American football thing on ITV the other week. He went over to watch a football high school team train. They had with their own gym (a real gym, not a cupboard) and the school provided them with free protein. Different world[/quote]

Lol if you think that’s the norm over here. I wish I got free protein and my football team would have made me lift early on in highschool.[/quote]

Not that I think that’s the norm but their coach pretty much gave the impression that weight lifting was encouraged in their district and pretty much a given at high school level (among the football teams). Something you wont find over here, apart from in private schools maybe[/quote]

The focus on weightlifting is certainly the norm in Kentucky, and we aren’t even a good talent bed for football. I’d be willing to bet anywhere football is taken seriously you will see the same sort of thing.

I feel bad for you across-the-ponders. Nearly everyone at my high school on the powerlifting/football teams could best the numbers you are describing within a few years of training, including me at a rail-like 160 pounds.[/quote]

I started lifting under coaches instructions for sports in 7th grade and most of my buddies did the same, VA also is not the biggest football state.