Max Bench Disappointment

[Adawg38]

So my 22 yo brothers are here visiting and we went to the gym today to workout and see what are Max Bench Press is. I have always been skinny but started hitting the gym about 1 1/2 years back and 1 of my brothers has been for idk maybe a year longer and I am 33. I went from 178lbs to 192lbs and my Max was 235lbs but I was sure I could do aa lot more and his was 365lbs. I feel old! I can't have my brother beating me so damn bad like that. I burnt out a lot quicker than him. My other brother hit 230lbs but he's not as into lifting as us. I need some ROIDS lol![Bang]

[jackthewall81]

Lifting is a lifestyle. I have been doing it for 6 years and am still not where I want to be. Your younger brother must be pretty into it.

[sniper7]

Yeah...but can he drive a barbie jeep like you can?[ROFL1]

[blacklabel]

I'm the opposite. I'm 26 and my brother is 45 and could out lift me by far. I'm going to be using the Starting Strength program starting in August to see how far I can get on a linear progression.

[Adawg38]

Yeah...but can he drive a barbie jeep like you can?[ROFL1]


Nope! [LOL] Damn Barbie Jeep!

[Chad4000]

I NEED to get back into the gym bad... I am about 168 now, I would love to be 185 or bigger.

help!!! lol

[kanekutter05]

I NEED to get back into the gym bad... I am about 168 now, I would love to be 185 or bigger.

help!!! lol

I will GLADLY give you some of my lbs if you want to get bigger...I've got more than I would ever need [Coffee]

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I will GLADLY give you some of my lbs if you want to get bigger...I've got more than I would ever need [Coffee]

Haha this! [ROFL1]

[Chad4000]

^^ thanks guys! Im scrawny!!!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I have to lose 15-20 pounds by the 25th of August. That'd be a good start.

[Uberjager]

Lifting is a lifestyle. I have been doing it for 6 years and am still not where I want to be. Your younger brother must be pretty into it.

Geeze, do you want to be the size of Jay Cutler?

[jackthewall81]

Geeze, do you want to be the size of Jay Cutler?

Yup! [Beer]

[Monky]

You really want to see how much strength you don't have.. screw the bench press.. do a floor press.. I PROMISE your brother won't hit 365.. you ONLY get to use your pecs.. there is no bounce off the chest or momentum.. your elbows hit the floor and you press.. try it.

[jackthewall81]

You really want to see how much strength you don't have.. screw the bench press.. do a floor press.. I PROMISE your brother won't hit 365.. you ONLY get to use your pecs.. there is no bounce off the chest or momentum.. your elbows hit the floor and you press.. try it.

You might be right, but floor presses are a great way to get hurt. I have seen numerous hairline fractures because of it.

[Mtn.man]

Ya get yourself a calf. You lift him everyday, as he grows you get stronger.
Done.

[jackthewall81]

Ya get yourself a calf. You lift him everyday, as he grows you get stronger.
Done.

That applies to squatting. Squat that calf ten times every day for ten years. You'll be strong as an ox.

[Mtn.man]

I was raised on the farm it works.

[TDO]

I'm the opposite. I'm 26 and my brother is 45 and could out lift me by far. I'm going to be using the Starting Strength program starting in August to see how far I can get on a linear progression.

I would recommend a non-linear strength program, got My bench over 400 and my squat close to 600

[Wiggity]

OP I competed in powerlifting and strongman in College. I advise against going super heavy. I've had 2 shoulder surgeries and an upcoming lumbar surgery, I highly advise against super heavy lifting.

Bench = 380

Squat = 465

Deadlift = 495

I'd give up all of those in an instant to have my bones and joints back.


Be careful!

[sniper7]

OP I competed in powerlifting and strongman in College. I advise against going super heavy. I've had 2 shoulder surgeries and an upcoming lumbar surgery, I highly advise against super heavy lifting.

Bench = 380

Squat = 465

Deadlift = 495

I'd give up all of those in an instant to have my bones and joints back.


Be careful!

this. How many times has anyone come up to you and said...hey aren't you the guy that can bench 380?

There is nothing wrong with working out and staying in shape, but to destroy your body for a lifetime for some "cool factor" among the guys at the gym should be something to think about

[Wiggity]

this. How many times has anyone come up to you and said...hey aren't you the guy that can bench 380?

There is nothing wrong with working out and staying in shape, but to destroy your body for a lifetime for some "cool factor" among the guys at the gym should be something to think about

It was cool for a little bit, but I've given up a lot for the rest of my life for that little bit of glory which is long gone and no one remembers.


If you go that heavy for long enough, you WILL injure yourself.

[Adawg38]

Damn, sounds like a couple of you guys got some good benches and squats in. The bench was for fun and I follow menshealth to where don't lift to failure but just to where that last rep is a start to struggle. I just like my brothers size and would be happy there. I feel I've come a lot farther and really just want to stay in good shape despite all my past smoking and drinking. I just have the big brother syndrome to where I am competing with them because I'd be damn if I can't whoop them both at the same time anymore like I used too lol. I just can't do it like they can, plus I don't have the time like they do working and taking care of my little 1 yo girl.

[Wiggity]

Damn, sounds like a couple of you guys got some good benches and squats in. The bench was for fun and I follow menshealth to where don't lift to failure but just to where that last rep is a start to struggle. I just like my brothers size and would be happy there. I feel I've come a lot farther and really just want to stay in good shape despite all my past smoking and drinking. I just have the big brother syndrome to where I am competing with them because I'd be damn if I can't whoop them both at the same time anymore like I used too lol. I just can't do it like they can, plus I don't have the time like they do working and taking care of my little 1 yo girl.

That is probably okay. Make sure to listen to your body. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. You have a respectable bench! Don't ruin it or else you may never be able to bench again. I know what it's like to lose 350lbs on your bench in 1 second, no fun!

[blacklabel]

I would recommend a non-linear strength program, got My bench over 400 and my squat close to 600

What would you recommend?

[Wiggity]

What would you recommend?

In a nutshell, it means switching it up all the time

[blacklabel]

In a nutshell, it means switching it up all the time

I assumed as much. I was curious what "switching it up all the time" meant to him.

[Adawg38]

I assumed as much. I was curious what "switching it up all the time" meant to him.


I change my workout, muscle group order and reps up about every 4 weeks. Get that cardio in there about once or twice a week as well.

[trlcavscout]

My best benching was about 2 years ago, hit 425. Then took some time off and recently started lifting again with no desire or spotter to go heavy. I have been doing the 10X10 with good results, when i plateau i will change but after 6 weeks its still going strong. 10x10 on bench then light triceps/shoulders every 4th day, everyother day its heavy triceps/shoulders. Pulling every 2nd day.

I agree with dont go overboard. I have always been very competitive when lifting and working. From having hay throwing contests to anything else we could do. I had a bulged disc in high school and now at 35 my back hurts so bad sometimes i cant stand it. I will never quit tearing my self up over stupid stuff, but i know what my dad meant now.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

I dropped 300 on my chest Saturday night. I missed the hooks on the smith machine and couldn't stop it from falling. Don't hurt yourself, bro.

[TDO]

What would you recommend?

West side barbell has tons of awesome routines, just google for a exel spreadsheet workout and find one that you like. Also, Dave Tate has some awesome routines as well, here is one that I used for a while.
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/dave_tates_sixweek_bench_press_cure

[Adawg38]

My best benching was about 2 years ago, hit 425. Then took some time off and recently started lifting again with no desire or spotter to go heavy. I have been doing the 10X10 with good results, when i plateau i will change but after 6 weeks its still going strong. 10x10 on bench then light triceps/shoulders every 4th day, everyother day its heavy triceps/shoulders. Pulling every 2nd day.

I agree with dont go overboard. I have always been very competitive when lifting and working. From having hay throwing contests to anything else we could do. I had a bulged disc in high school and now at 35 my back hurts so bad sometimes i cant stand it. I will never quit tearing my self up over stupid stuff, but i know what my dad meant now.


I had popped something in my shoulder blade a bit back that put me out for 3 days while doing shoulder press. I also compressed some discs in my low back taking too wide of a stance doing squats that put me out for 2 weeks. Now I have a shooting pain in my forearms when I do arm curls so I have taken it easy for 2 1/2 months and tried arm curls that same day but still hurt a little so arm curls are a no go still. It seems just too easy to get hurt lifting and I always strerch and warm up.

[Great-Kazoo]

I'd be damn if I can't whoop them both at the same time anymore

Really is this what's it's all about? Get over it and remember, There is no FAIR in Fight.

[Adawg38]

I'd be damn if I can't whoop them both at the same time anymore

Really is this what's it's all about? Get over it and remember, There is no FAIR in Fight.


No not 100% what it's about, it's just the big brother ego I guess.[Tooth]

[Great-Kazoo]

No not 100% what it's about, it's just the big brother ego I guess.[Tooth]

Forget about ego, consider yourself fortunate you still have them.