How much can you bench press?

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James2097
I have no idea what the maximum weight actually was, but there was one of those machines where you sort of do a bench press style action (arms go forward and around in front of you) in a sitting position in the gym downstairs. The weights go up and down via a complex pulley system behind you, presumedly to make the weights feel heavier than they are. I slowly worked up to the maximum weight it had (11 weights on the thing - didn't bother to look what they actually were), until I could do 1 rep on the maximum the machine had. I looked at it more as a game. After I had lifted the max weight it had, I figured I beat that machine, so I just gave up going to the gym after that. I'm a naturally pretty skinny guy so I thought that was a decent accomplishment. I could only do it on 4 weights initially, couldn't budge 5.
It wasn't about getting fit, it was just about beating that particular machine as a game.

Does anyone actually know the usual maximum weight those kind of machines do? It felt much more than the Marshall stacks I lug around from time to time!

I know I'm an idiot. :)
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I assume the weights were 20 pounds each. That's how the machine at my gym has it set. Then again if you don't know for sure, then I can't know for sure. It can't really be compared to bench pressing, though. You use the same muscles, but it just isn't the same as a loose bar. A complex pulley system is either there to re-route the gravity (from vertical to horizontal), or to make it lighter, not to make it heavier. It's probably the first one here.
 
smellysocks12
Btw Pako, you might want to slow down with the bench pressing or else you won't be able to buy any decent T-Shirts anymore. :D
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Hopefully... :D

@a6m5,

It's all good. I'm trying to get as much muscle mass to support the 400lb bench goal right now. My Friday reps consisted of:

Morning:
165x12
235x6
300x3
300x2
305x3

Afternoon:
160x13
235x10
335x1

Until I plateau, I'll probably continue the modified program I'm on, but at my current gain, I'll continue to gain 5lbs per week which makes my goal reachable in 13 weeks. :D

:cheers:

EDIT 11/04/2005
This morning I complete my 350lb workout with reps as follows:
170x15 warmup
250x6
315x3
315x2
320x1
225x12

The completion of this workout puts my max press at 350lbs now. I am wondering if I should concentrate on supporting muscle groups before I continue to climb in bench weight. I feel my lats, shoulders, back, traps, and arms could all be bigger to help support that weight of bench. Starting to research and ask around if that's a good idea.
 
Bench Press is so easy you do not even need a bench to do the Bench Press.
 
You seem to be making some good progress there Pako. If you ever need some advice the guys from the forum thats in my signature can hel give advice on all aspects of training. However if you do decide to sign up you will first pe asked a couple of questions by admin as its now a routine security check.
 
cool thread 👍

5´11
170lbs

3 x 12 of 170 (those numbers if i get a good conversion of kilos to lbs)

don´t know my max in one repetition...

i thought lifting your own weight was a good goal...

i feel so weak :crazy:

problem for me is that i only started gym at 20 years old, with constant 3 month breaks, so i don´t develop a routine.
 
I CAN EFFECTIVELY BENCHPRESS THE ENTIRE EARTH!!

Its called a push-up. I like the think I remain stationary and the Earth (and the whole universe if you like) moves away from you. Thinking like this does great things for your ego. 👍
 
I haven't worked out in a LONG time.

However, I can bench like 300 pounds... i.e., the weight of my big fat lazy ass placed on to the nearest seat in the vicinity.
 
James2097
I CAN EFFECTIVELY BENCHPRESS THE ENTIRE EARTH!!

Its called a push-up. I like the think I remain stationary and the Earth (and the whole universe if you like) moves away from you. Thinking like this does great things for your ego. 👍
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:lol: :lol: So when you jump you push the earth away and it comes back.
 
Old thread.

Messing around with a friend... haven't worked out since my last post.

I got 130 around 28-30 reps until he told me to quit. I then put on 145 and did it another 25 or so times. His bar was flexing so we had to stop. I assume my max is around 230.... probably more. No idea..


I do know my squat is crazy. I picked up someone who weighed around 225lbs and jumped from a crouched position to jumping up around 13 times until I stopped. I put a hole in a ball in gym playing kickball because I kicked it so hard. LMAO.
 
You should get yourself into a Gym and see what you can really do... :)
 
well this kid i saw in my school gym he was benchin 150 like it was nothing, at least 25 reps, he is able to bench 300, n he is does'nt look like a body builder or anything
 
There is a difference between mass and strenght...

I have been training for over 6 months now and some guys are stronger than me but I have a way bigger chest. It depends.
 
yeah of course. :p look at guys like tank abbot. tank can bench press 600+ but he looks like a guy that spends way too much time at the bar.
 
well im at 275 and can press 350+...used to be able to get more, but college and work will do that too you...oh do i miss those high school days
 
standard235
Old thread.

Messing around with a friend... haven't worked out since my last post.

I got 130 around 28-30 reps until he told me to quit. I then put on 145 and did it another 25 or so times. His bar was flexing so we had to stop. I assume my max is around 230.... probably more. No idea..


I do know my squat is crazy. I picked up someone who weighed around 225lbs and jumped from a crouched position to jumping up around 13 times until I stopped. I put a hole in a ball in gym playing kickball because I kicked it so hard. LMAO.
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You gotta be kidding me, me and 4 of my friends who are all 22 or 23 years old have been going to a gym at least once every week, some more than others but still, can't even do that, yet you can at age 13?
 
Ok ok, I'm 14 now.


I maxed at 225 on bench, 355 on squats on my tenth set of them. All my other lifts aren't so great though. Oh yeah, deadlift 315.


Not too bad for weighing 200lbs and being 5'6" is it??
 
smellysocks12
You gotta be kidding me, me and 4 of my friends who are all 22 or 23 years old have been going to a gym at least once every week, some more than others but still, can't even do that, yet you can at age 13?
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Its obvious that many of the figures in this thread have been majorly inflated

Not too bad for weighing 200lbs and being 5'6" is it??
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Whats your bodyfat level?
How long have you been training?
Whats your diet like?
 
I have absolutely zero idea what I can lift, I really should get to a gym though, over the years my muscle has been succumbing to the effects of doner kebabs and what not :lol:. od they're lovely. I used to be able to do quite a bit, I could do 70+ press ups with relative ease at one point, now I'd probably be finished at 50 and I used to life weights with my brother, never took note of how much it was just a question of if I could lift it and for how much time, I've never been into doing weights so I never took much interest but I think I owe it to myself (and ther missues) to get back in the shape I was in a couple of years ago.
 
Uhhh, I dunno my body fat percentage.

I'm definitely not even close to obese. I only lifted for a month before I got my previous numbers and another month to get these numbers...

And I'm completely for real on all my numbers.
 
14 years old, and you are lifting pre bodybuilding weights? :lol:

Right, if that's you in your picture I don't see how you can push 355 lbs squats and 315 deadlifts and a 225lbs bench.

I have gained over 25 lbs in one year and I can deadlift 315 lbs, squat 315 lbs, but that's simply because I have natural big legs.

14 years of age? you haven't even finished your growth.

200 lbs, 14 years of age, low bodyfat, ...:lol:
 
if its true he must have the best genetics in the world, and i would urge him to be a bodybuilder as he would make a shedload of money. Mutant boy theyd probably call him.

I'm definitely not even close to obese. I only lifted for a month before I got my previous numbers and another month to get these numbers...
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Comeon, tell the truth.
 
Are you perfectly sure you arn't getting your numbers mixed up, worked them out wrong or anything like that, because that honestly doesn't add up.
 
I suggest you take a picture of yourself, first, then we shall continue that discussion.

If you can take a picture of yourself while biking and flying through the air, I guess you could easily take an ordinary picture?;)
 
Well, it's certainly plausible. My friend Jeff maxed 400 when he was 16. I know he was doing 425 during his senior year at high school.

I could do 225 back when I was playing football at 14/15. But, Standard, are you going all the way down for your squats? It's not a true squat if you don't at least hit parallel. ;)
 
The strength isn't what's bugging me, it's that he is 5 foot 6 and 200 lbs with a low body fat.

Pro bodybuilders of that height are that same size...are you kidding me?!

IMO, the people around you just doesn't want to hurt your feelings and say you are obese, if you are REALLY 200 lbs.
 

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