Posting fitness progress here.

[Westminster]

Why is it such a big ego lift? I’d much rather have a huge squat. I’m 5’7, 160 lbs, 10-15% body fat tops. I’ve never in my life benched more than 250 lbs. Was much more proud of squatting 3 plates full depth for reps . Few guys in any of my gyms Ive ever seen actually do that. Also, I naturally have a good deadlift. Long skinny arms.

Not sure, but "How much can you bench?" seems to be regarded as the ultimate marker of strength.

 

[sangheilios]

Why is it such a big ego lift? I’d much rather have a huge squat. I’m 5’7, 160 lbs, 10-15% body fat tops. I’ve never in my life benched more than 250 lbs. Was much more proud of squatting 3 plates full depth for reps . Few guys in any of my gyms Ive ever seen actually do that. Also, I naturally have a good deadlift. Long skinny arms.

@Westminster

It's just some gym bro cultural thing that has been around for a long time. I personally think it's because many meatheads have a tendency to heavily train their mirror muscles (chest, arms, etc.) whilst neglecting everything else. Naturally, a bench press is one method of developing big pecs and arms so they focus on that particular exercise and use it as a means to compare to other guys like them lol.

I think another big factor is that it's honestly not all that hard in terms of perceived effort. Doing a big workout with lot of bench pressing and arms feels good, you get a crazy pump you can see in the mirror and all that but it's not all that difficult. In contrast, do a bunch of conditioning work or something where you hit your lower body really hard and you actually can feel wiped out by the end of it lol. Again, there's a reason why most guys tend to focus on their show muscles while neglecting those that are far more difficult to train.

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

Why is it such a big ego lift? I’d much rather have a huge squat. I’m 5’7, 160 lbs, 10-15% body fat tops. I’ve never in my life benched more than 250 lbs. Was much more proud of squatting 3 plates full depth for reps . Few guys in any of my gyms Ive ever seen actually do that. Also, I naturally have a good deadlift. Long skinny arms.

dont be like me id much rather have a big squat. I just like lifting heavy

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

Not sure, but "How much can you bench?" seems to be regarded as the ultimate marker of strength.

OHP and deadlift is a true marker. And pullups for relative strength.

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

The gym shows you if you half ass your body you will get half ass results. Same with life. Go all out.

 

[sangheilios]

The gym shows you if you half ass your body you will get half ass results. Same with life. Go all out.

Bro, a lot of that is just genetics. There are people who can put a ton of consistent work and effort into their workouts, nutrition, etc. and still not be all that impressive. Meanwhile, there can be people who half ass it and still look better or even be in better shape than the majority of other guys at the gym. When you have a person with good genetics AND puts a lot of effort into training, nutrition, recovery, etc. is when you have a very impressive package.

Also, you don't get anywhere by going all out except for burn out or snap city lol. You can't be a tard with your workouts if you want any sense of longevity in the game.

 

[All_Kindz_Of_Gainz]

Careful everyone, we got a bada$$ in this forum hahahaha

 

[Obee1]

I benched 455 yesterday but i hit 475. I want to hit 500 end of this year I know I can.
running full body everyday while focusing on a specific muscle group each day.

A couple observations as a longtime coach (Certified USAPL) and as a former 500 lb. bencher. I'd be careful about forming an opinion based on a picture. A heavy bencher has several characteristics though. Short wing span relative to height. Long and mobile upper torso (Good arch). Relative short forearms, (not to be confused overall short arms). This has to do with the optimal lever. And legs relatively short below the knee compared to overall leg length. Next is predominately fast twitch muscle fibers in the chest shoulders, back and triceps. I can tell from the picture that you have some of these attributes as well as over developed front delts which most good benchers have. Careful though, this can cause reduced range of motion, shoulder instability and rotator issues. When you walk I'll almost guarantee your palms face behind you as opposed to facing your legs.

Most good strength athletes peak and meet their genetic potential between 28 and 38 years old. I believe the tendons and ligaments take longer to catch up. The Golgi tendon is key. It takes years of heavy lifting to desensitize. Desensitizing this is a must to reach your potential. The other key is staying healthy which means don't overtrain. This goes for the nervous system too. The journey to 500 probably won't look like the journey to 400. Besides being slower, it's easier to overtrain and your chances of injury increase as you approach your body's max potential. Once you get near your genetic potential, you'll be happy to gain 5-10 lbs. on your bench in a year.

When you say 500 are you talking touch and go or pause? 500 raw or with a bench shirt or Slingshot?

I hope you are being truthful. If not, the only one you're fooling is yourself. I don't know what it is but even strong people feel the need to add 10-20 lbs to their lifts when in conversation and away from the gym. I've heard 400 benchers tell people they bench 430. Like there is something wrong with 400. But, the best way to shut people up (If you care) is to just post a video of you repping 365 or 400. Kind of a scatter brain post but you get it. Good luck to you!

 

[All_Kindz_Of_Gainz]

A couple observations as a longtime coach (Certified USAPL) and as a former 500 lb. bencher. I'd be careful about forming an opinion based on a picture. A heavy bencher has several characteristics though. Short wing span relative to height. Long and mobile upper torso (Good arch). Relative short forearms, (not to be confused overall short arms). This has to do with the optimal lever. And legs relatively short below the knee compared to overall leg length. Next is predominately fast twitch muscle fibers in the chest shoulders, back and triceps. I can tell from the picture that you have some of these attributes as well as over developed front delts which most good benchers have. Careful though, this can cause reduced range of motion, shoulder instability and rotator issues. When you walk I'll almost guarantee your palms face behind you as opposed to facing your legs.

Most good strength athletes peak and meet their genetic potential between 28 and 38 years old. I believe the tendons and ligaments take longer to catch up. The Golgi tendon is key. It takes years of heavy lifting to desensitize. Desensitizing this is a must to reach your potential. The other key is staying healthy which means don't overtrain. This goes for the nervous system too. The journey to 500 probably won't look like the journey to 400. Besides being slower, it's easier to overtrain and your chances of injury increase as you approach your body's max potential. Once you get near your genetic potential, you'll be happy to gain 5-10 lbs. on your bench in a year.

When you say 500 are you talking touch and go or pause? 500 raw or with a bench shirt or Slingshot?

I hope you are being truthful. If not, the only one you're fooling is yourself. I don't know what it is but even strong people feel the need to add 10-20 lbs to their lifts when in conversation and away from the gym. I've heard 400 benchers tell people they bench 430. Like there is something wrong with 400. But, the best way to shut people up (If you care) is to just post a video of you repping 365 or 400. Kind of a scatter brain post but you get it. Good luck to you!

Do you really think any coach seeing him at 19 benching 100 pound dumbbells, wouldn't have recruited him to compete? By tne way he reacts, this guy is another autistic troll living a fake persona online.

 

[Manure Spherian]

as a former 500 lb. bencher. I'd be careful about

I believe you. How much did you weigh?

 

[Obee1]

I believe you. How much did you weigh?

Lifted in the 242's. Most of my training was around 250 lbs. I'm 6'1" Comp lift best 232.5 kgs. Best gym lift 240 kgs touch & go but with a bench shirt and wraps. Best raw 220 kgs.

 

[Manure Spherian]

Lifted in the 242's. Most of my training was around 250 lbs. I'm 6'1" Comp lift best 232.5 kgs. Best gym lift 240 kgs touch & go but with a bench shirt and wraps. Best raw 220 kgs.

Very impressive!

I myself am not designed for big benching.

 

[Obee1]

Do you really think any coach seeing him at 19 benching 100 pound dumbbells, wouldn't have recruited him to compete? By tne way he reacts, this guy is another autistic troll living a fake persona online.

Lol, I have to admit I haven't read this whole thread but it sounds like you guys are doing your job and he might not be passing the smell test? I'll reserve judgement a little longer. Yes, it would get my antenna up for sure. I'm always recruiting. I usually get calls from high school coaches and rarely run across someone in the gym unless schools out. Much of my issue is I'm competing with football for lifters. My 242 collegiate champ was just an ok football player and quit football to dedicate himself to lifting. If I saw this 19 year old though, I would ask him if he has ever competed and does he squat and deadlift. I can't win anything with a bench specialist. I would rather have an adequate bencher and a strong squat and deadlifter. The above lifter had a mid 400 bench but a 650 squat and 770 dl. Those are raw numbers.

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

A couple observations as a longtime coach (Certified USAPL) and as a former 500 lb. bencher. I'd be careful about forming an opinion based on a picture. A heavy bencher has several characteristics though. Short wing span relative to height. Long and mobile upper torso (Good arch). Relative short forearms, (not to be confused overall short arms). This has to do with the optimal lever. And legs relatively short below the knee compared to overall leg length. Next is predominately fast twitch muscle fibers in the chest shoulders, back and triceps. I can tell from the picture that you have some of these attributes as well as over developed front delts which most good benchers have. Careful though, this can cause reduced range of motion, shoulder instability and rotator issues. When you walk I'll almost guarantee your palms face behind you as opposed to facing your legs.

Most good strength athletes peak and meet their genetic potential between 28 and 38 years old. I believe the tendons and ligaments take longer to catch up. The Golgi tendon is key. It takes years of heavy lifting to desensitize. Desensitizing this is a must to reach your potential. The other key is staying healthy which means don't overtrain. This goes for the nervous system too. The journey to 500 probably won't look like the journey to 400. Besides being slower, it's easier to overtrain and your chances of injury increase as you approach your body's max potential. Once you get near your genetic potential, you'll be happy to gain 5-10 lbs. on your bench in a year.

When you say 500 are you talking touch and go or pause? 500 raw or with a bench shirt or Slingshot?

I hope you are being truthful. If not, the only one you're fooling is yourself. I don't know what it is but even strong people feel the need to add 10-20 lbs to their lifts when in conversation and away from the gym. I've heard 400 benchers tell people they bench 430. Like there is something wrong with 400. But, the best way to shut people up (If you care) is to just post a video of you repping 365 or 400. Kind of a scatter brain post but you get it. Good luck to you!

Thanks. Form is def not the best and back comes off bench a bit but it will be deemed acceptable at least.

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

Hit 445 on bench but it was harder than usual. Me and my gf eat hot chicken all the time with fries and it’s def ****ing up my body no more bullshjt

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

Hit 445 on bench but it was harder than usual. Me and my gf eat hot chicken all the time with fries and it’s def ****ing up my body no more bullshjt

Bruh you guys are just showing how pathetic you guys TRULY are by thinking it’s not possible

 

[Thebestthereeveris]

Anyways keep meat watching while I keep winning I love it.

 

[All_Kindz_Of_Gainz]

Hahaha confirmed, this way is another Razor Rambo, same writing style, same ego, same pathetic fake life.

Looks like meat is back on the boiiiissss

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Bruh you guys are just showing how pathetic you guys TRULY are by thinking it’s not possible

No, I don't think you understand.

Nobody here is saying benching 500 lbs is impossible. We are just not believing that you are doing it.

I'd buy a cheeseburger before I'd buy this story.

What do you weigh? A buck 70 on a good day after eating a giant stack of protein pancakes?

 

[Obee1]

Very impressive!

I myself am not designed for big benching.

Certainly nothing to be ashamed about. I'm not sure it was worth it in my case. Some sleep apnea, maybe a little inflated ego, some dusty trophies in a box somewhere, and a torn pec. Oh, and the voice of Toby Keith in my head singing, I'm not as good as I once was. Heavy bench pressing is good training for, well, heavy benching. That's about it. Fun times though.