Just wondering..how much you bench vs. your weight.

[AtifSajid]

Im around 190-195lbs. I maxed out at 210lb.

And the thing is that I hate benching, but lately have found it to be very good with a spotter and heavy weight. I usually always start of my workout benching now.

[mp5o]

Lets just say I weigh about 135... Note, I'm only 5'7ish.... and I bench 180-190 depending on how good of a day I'm having.

[mocha latte cupcake]

i haven't done a max out bench press in a long time but back when i lifted all the time i did like 225 and i weight 185..

[dereksi]

Im about 185 and I max at 215.

[BTEC]

i havent maxed out in years but i can prolly get 200+, im only 150

[4dmin]

probably 20lbs are so

[HyPer50]

Hey, I quit lifting a few months back, but was maxxing out at 340lbs, weigh 230.

[1zach4]

170lbs and I don't max out when doing bench but I do 240lbs for 10 reps

[SaraX5]

my weight 108. i max at 15 lbs lol

[JustinSane110™]

I weigh about 215 and got 400 up on the incline machine before. Usually stick to about 320 for reps though. I dont do any freeweight benches (lack of a partner, dont wanna get stuck under the weight). I dont do too much weight for the flat dumbell presses cuz I'm prioritizing the inclines for upper chest.

[soxfan30]

Before I hurt my shoulder at the gym, I maxed out 260 and I weigh 200. Now, working back into routine, I'm at 185...I think...that was earlier this week. This is why I keep a notebook, I don't remember anything I did haha.

[man]

185 and I weigh 135

[1zach4]

Maxing out isn't necessarily a good indicator of overall strength....so what you can lift 350lbs...for one rep...

When it comes down to it, the best indicator of strength is the combination of muscular strength and muscular endurance.

Example: It is overall better for you and more effective if you bench press 250lbs for 8 repetitions than if you are doing 300lbs for one repetition.

In a real-world situation you will more often than not be called to action using your muscular endurance in combination with your muscular strength, and not just asked to lift something really heavy, one time.

::end rant::

edit: also as an example above (one i have personally experienced) maxing out with weight is one of the most common causes of injury during weight lifting (right below incorrect use of weights) I also had a nagging shoulder injury that was caused by maxing out for bench press, hence the reason I have done my fair share of research and had discussions with many professionals on the use of max weight vs. rep weight (it is no coincidence that my shoulder is now not only fully healed, but much stronger than it ever was when i was maxing out)

[AtifSajid]

I really dont mess with maxing out either. I like to try it after every few months, but you still wont get shit up unless you work out with heavy weights on a regular. I was just surprised to even get that much weight up since I never do real heavy weight - too me heavy...lol

[sebastianHoff]

i was 197lbs and maxed out at 285-290lbs. but i was doin 5 sets of 15 at 165lbs.

[AtifSajid]

I also wonder how tall everyone is..at what they bench and all. Im 6'1".

[1zach4]

im 6'1"

[ironchef]

6'0 im a bit of a fatty at 250 but i've maxed out at 300 before. Nowadays though im starting to rep 250 and im going to try and increase that.

[Complete]

135 lbs and i bench 180

[JustinSane110™]

I also wonder how tall everyone is..at what they bench and all. Im 6'1".

Let's make this simple, lol.

6'3
215lbs
7% bf. (most I think I've ever had, lol)
Got 400lbs up on the incline machine 6 times (usually 320 for reps, keep in mind thats a machine though)
Usually do the 80lb dumbells for 4-5 sets though for flat and incline.

[HyPer50]

I'm 5'7"-5'8"... ya ya ya

[Mike]

210-215 i weight 180.

[The Golden Child]

5'7 - 140lbs - 250lbs 4-45lbs 2-35lbs - 3 sets of 6

now im 135lbs and dunno what i can bench cause i havent hit the gym for awhile ..

[NEONRACER]

5'7 - 140lbs - 250lbs 4-45lbs 2-35lbs - 3 sets of 6

now im 135lbs and dunno what i can bench cause i havent hit the gym for awhile ..

The weights you have listed are 295lbs not 250, remember the bar weighs 45lbs. At 140lbs that is alot even for your height.

[NEONRACER]

5'11
168lbs
250lbs (before shoulder injury)

[The Golden Child]

The weights you have listed are 295lbs not 250, remember the bar weighs 45lbs. At 140lbs that is alot even for your height.

yes i know ive seen ppl my height & weight do 3 plates of 45s no problem all natural ..

[NEONRACER]

Are we talking a Hammer Strength machine or free weights?

[The Golden Child]

Are we talking a Hammer Strength machine or free weights?

free weights .. dont like using machines ..

[dwnsthGABOY]

I'm about 5'8 230 and during my senior year in HS I was able to lift 220lbs 5 times. woot woot!!

[SLOWR/T]

5'9 235lbs maxed 260 junior year in school. now im 260ish and havent been to the gym since school .

[Jimmy B]

when i was workin out, way back when.. lol 190 or 185, not sure..
im 5'8
i was 145 then

[1zach4]

250lbs for 2 sets of 10 yesterday

[{X}Echo419]

5'9
165lbs
I got 90's w/dumbell flat 6 reps alone. I don't know what my bench is cause I usually work out alone.

[brads94accord]

my senior year of high school i weighed in right around 125lbs and could bench 200lbs..now i struggle to throw up 160 lol..i need to start working out again.

a buddy of mine who wrestled weighed about the same as me 125-130 but he benched 275..it was ridiculous!

[1zach4]

i'm up to 270lbs for a set of 10

[kaotickaozpunk]

you need to max out guys...if you want to hit and gain more weight on the bench you must max out...anyone should know that...im 17 and i play football for my school and im currently interested in body building...i weigh 180 and max out at 250..im only 5'5...im trying to hit 300 by this summer...and i believe i can do it...maybe even before then...but like i said if you want to gain weight on the bench you must max out...if you do 200 for 8 reps...thats good but thats only recommended if you want to tone out and build some muscle...but if you want to gain strength fast you must max out and im pretty sure thats final...

[robbyrob016]

I put up 140 and weigh 135.. alllll muscle tho. haha (im a runner)

[toomuchpeso]

i weigh bout 135 and i did 225 max

[{X}Echo419]

i weigh bout 135 and i did 225 max

waht!

[1zach4]

you do not need to max out...don't listen to the 17yr old high schooler...i'm a semester away from my dual bachelor's in exercise and health science and biology (with a minor in human anatomy/physiology)

You only need to get your muscle to the point of exhaustion, yes a 1RM, or what you like to call a max, will sometimes do this, but it is not as effective as say doing negatives...or pyramids.

There are much better exercises to fatigue your muscle and start the breakdown/rebuilding process of your muscular fibers than trying as hard as you can to lift a weight one time.

Say you can bench 300lbs...and it's pretty hard...well how about trying to do a pyramid like this

6 reps @ 275

4 reps @ 285

2 reps @ 295

4 reps @ 285

6 reps @ 275

and then tell me which exercise you think will develop your chest quicker.

oh and on a sidenote...if you want to develop your pectoralis major/minor there are much better exercises than a standard bench press, and do not neglect your latissimus dorsi (lats) or your teres major/minor, or you will not see the chest gains you are hoping for

Just for a reference point, last time I posted in this thread was about 2 months ago
I don't bench press as a part of my regular workout, and I definitely do not max. I do bench press simply to have a reference point with friends of mine and our strength gains.

Last time I posted was 270lbs for a set of 10

I completed this bench press pyramid yesterday

6 reps @ 295

4 reps @ 310

2 reps @ 325

and then I went back down the pyramid

proof you do not need to perform a one rep max to gain strength.

AND!!




As a reply to the comment above about having to max out to gain strength:

anything 6 reps or lower with a weight that will take you to muscular failure is considered an exercise to gain strength and not "tone" the muscle

It is more effective to workout with weights ranging for 85 - 95% of your one rep max to achieve an overall stronger/healthier muscle
AND DON'T FORGET TO SLEEP!!! Your muscle does not get bigger @ the gym lol it repairs and grows overnight, be sure to get enough protein in your system and the proper amino acids to help this process along!