How much can you bench?

[merv the perv]

Just for fun, how much can you bench press (one rep max)? I have always had a pretty weak chest, but I've been working on it. About a year ago, I had trouble with like 165, but now I throw up 215. If I can get to 250, I'll be happy.

I'm 6'3'', 207.

[kbauer]

Listen to me sound like a 19 year old 50 year old...

A couple years ago I was 5'10 160 and I could max out at 205 and I wasnt in a regular strength training program because at my school only the football players and wrestlers got that and I played hockey and baseball. But I still took weight traning and gym classes, worked out at home, and was in the batting cages all the time.
Senoir year ends, done with hockey, done with baseball. I played a little roller hockey but was sick of playing 2 sports at once for 7 years and dieting and working out so I let myself go for about 3 months...

In that short amount of time I gained 30 pounds. Since then Ive been so busy with school work, my friends and girlfriend, I rarely work out but I eat nothing but health and organic food now just to maintain my weight and may lose a little here and there.
So now 2 years later I weigh 180 and can only bench 150.

[merv the perv]

Listen to me sound like a 19 year old 50 year old...

A couple years ago I was 5'10 160 and I could max out at 205 and I wasnt in a regular strength training program because at my school only the football players and wrestlers got that and I played hockey and baseball. But I still took weight traning and gym classes, worked out at home, and was in the batting cages all the time.
Senoir year ends, done with hockey, done with baseball. I played a little roller hockey but was sick of playing 2 sports at once for 7 years and dieting and working out so I let myself go for about 3 months...

In that short amount of time I gained 30 pounds. Since then Ive been so busy with school work, my friends and girlfriend, I rarely work out but I eat nothing but health and organic food now just to maintain my weight and may lose a little here and there.
So now 2 years later I weigh 180 and can only bench 150.
wow, that's kind of weird that you could lose that much strength, but it doesn't surprise me since it's been two years. Back in the summer, after I had worked my bench up from 165 to about 185, I didn't lift for like three weeks and I was basically back down to 165, but I got it back up pretty easily.

[KB3RG]

i am about 5'9 150 lbs and haven't tried to max a BP lately I shall try Friday but I am guessing it will not be more than 150

[falloutboy.]

i was only at 135 2 years ago, im hoping i got stronger..

[trindaddy]

haha, oh god, i can't believe im gonna say this. im 6'0" 245. my max bench is about 165.
im so week in my upper body

however, i can leg press about 900, and squat around 300. i can dead lift 335. i look like such a bad ass until i go to bench. but oh well. i'll just keep workin it until i can get it higher.

[TxRepresent]

In my prime (football days) i could bench 245. Who knows what I can bench now since I haven't worked out since high school.

[MIKEY_HORROR]

in high school i weighed 155 and could put up 210(max-out)...which wasnt too bad for 155

but now 5 years later i weigh 165 and can only do like 145-150......i really need to start lifting or something agian..cause thast kinda sad

[Adrian Villagomez]

Back in high school ('bout three years ago) I weighed 130 and maxed out at 150. Now I'm up to about 135 and am not sure where I'm currently at.

[merv the perv]

haha, oh god, i can't believe im gonna say this. im 6'0" 245. my max bench is about 165.
im so week in my upper body

however, i can leg press about 900, and squat around 300. i can dead lift 335. i look like such a bad ass until i go to bench. but oh well. i'll just keep workin it until i can get it higher.

What I enjoy about the bench press is that I seem to be stronger every time I do it. I have a good chest workout if you're interested.

[trindaddy]

What I enjoy about the bench press is that I seem to be stronger every time I do it. I have a good chest workout if you're interested.

yeah, send it my way. i like to try new things.

[deadstar]

Back in high school ('bout three years ago) I weighed 130 and maxed out at 150. Now I'm up to about 135 and am not sure where I'm currently at.
And you're 21? 135 lbs?

[JIMMYateEARTH]

I haven't maxed out since High School. But I try to work out when I can. I can life 200lbs easily enough. I ussually finish my bench reps doing around 215 about 3 times.

I assume my max would be around 220- 230. I should try to max out but I work out by my self.


Some one mentioned legs so I'll just say that in high school I could squat nearly 500lbs. My legs were crazy strong back then I'm sure it's less now but not my to much.

[Adrian Villagomez]

And you're 21? 135 lbs?Indeed I am. A few years ago my mom was stressed about how thin I was, so she asked a doctor if my weight was normal. For my height (5'9), I was deemed normal. I'm a pig though - just finished eating a large Quizno's sub.

[deadstar]

Indeed I am. A few years ago my mom was stressed about how thin I was, so she asked a doctor if my weight was normal. For my height (5'9), I was deemed normal. I'm a pig though - just finished eating a large Quizno's sub.
Understandable. I'm very thin as well and still eat a lot. It's all genetics.

[redsand62]

maxing out is dumb, and i'm pretty sure that everyone lies about this subject.

[Adrian Villagomez]

Understandable. I'm very thin as well and still eat a lot. It's all genetics.What's your height/weight?

maxing out is dumb, and i'm pretty sure that everyone lies about this subject.Eh, what are you gonna do.

[deadstar]

What's your height/weight?

Eh, what are you gonna do.
I'm about 5'10 160. I play soccer though so I'm always active.

[Adrian Villagomez]

I'm about 5'10 160. I play soccer though so I'm always active.Man oh man. After experiencing football, baseball, cross-country, track, karate, boxing, and other activities, soccer is one of the most tiring things I've ever done. Well, that and vigorous sex.

[JIMMYateEARTH]

Man oh man. After experiencing football, baseball, cross-country, track, karate, boxing, and other activities, soccer is one of the most tiring things I've ever done. Well, that and vigorous sex.

I don't find soccer all that tiring, but I vigorous sex can be.

[JIMMYateEARTH]

maxing out is dumb, and i'm pretty sure that everyone lies about this subject.

how is maxing out dumb. Whats dumb is people who lie about what they can lift. If someone wants to lie about what they can who cares. They are the ones who look stupid after convice them selves they acctually can life that weight and then drop he bar on thier chest.

[bduke13]

Yeaaaa I could probably bench the bar lol

[awfulwaffle]

i can max out at around 210-225 last time i tried

btw, i'm about 6' and 185

[merv the perv]

If I was going to lie about how much I can bench, I would make it a lot more than just ten pounds more than my body weight. And I rarely ever do a one rep max, I use an online calculator a lot of the time that gives me a good estimate. You just plug in a weight and how many reps you could do and it tells you what your one rep max probably is.

[merv the perv]

yeah, send it my way. i like to try new things.
Okay, well this is how I got mine up relatively quick:

Start with a warm up weight that you can do about 8 times without too much effort, just to get the rhythm down and the blood pumping. Then bump it up about 20 pounds or so to something you can rep 5 times without much effort. Then add a few more pounds to something you can do 3 times. Then, do about 5 sets of 2 reps adding 5 lbs each set. It should get you strong. At the end, take a weight equal to or lighter than what you started with and do it until failure for a good burn.

This is basically pyramiding. I started doing a less gradual pyramid because I was findiing that I'd tire myself out before getting to the big weights, so now what I do is something like this:

warm up set: 135 x 8
155 x 5
185 x 4
190 x 3
195 x 2
200 x 2
205 x 2
210 x 2

135 to failure

I'll do incline bench every now and then, but not as many sets as the flat bench. I try and do 3 different exercises for each area of the body, so I'll do dumbell flies and a chest press machine on the same day as the bench, and sometimes I'll do cable press instead of on of the other exercises.

Try and do your triceps the same day since they're already used in the chest exercises because they should be sore the next day or two and you dont' want to work them out while they're sore.

[captainhampton]

when you're posting your info, you should include height and weight. also it is a lot easier for someone with short arms to bench. anyways, I like bench, but everyone, along with bicep curls, does this excercise. you want to see the people in the gym who care about getting strong, look at the squat rack, dip and pullup bars.

[trindaddy]

Okay, well this is how I got mine up relatively quick:

Start with a warm up weight that you can do about 8 times without too much effort, just to get the rhythm down and the blood pumping. Then bump it up about 20 pounds or so to something you can rep 5 times without much effort. Then add a few more pounds to something you can do 3 times. Then, do about 5 sets of 2 reps adding 5 lbs each set. It should get you strong. At the end, take a weight equal to or lighter than what you started with and do it until failure for a good burn.

This is basically pyramiding. I started doing a less gradual pyramid because I was findiing that I'd tire myself out before getting to the big weights, so now what I do is something like this:

warm up set: 135 x 8
155 x 5
185 x 4
190 x 3
195 x 2
200 x 2
205 x 2
210 x 2

135 to failure

I'll do incline bench every now and then, but not as many sets as the flat bench. I try and do 3 different exercises for each area of the body, so I'll do dumbell flies and a chest press machine on the same day as the bench, and sometimes I'll do cable press instead of on of the other exercises.

Try and do your triceps the same day since they're already used in the chest exercises because they should be sore the next day or two and you dont' want to work them out while they're sore.

this is kind of like a strip set, i haven't done one of those in years. i used to lift religiously with my dad for about a year (he used to do amateur body building contests). i'll see if this helps me increase my press. thanks for the advice!

[trindaddy]

when you're posting your info, you should include height and weight. also it is a lot easier for someone with short arms to bench. anyways, I like bench, but everyone, along with bicep curls, does this excercise. you want to see the people in the gym who care about getting strong, look at the squat rack, dip and pullup bars.


oh yeah, i always see just ridiculously strong kids doing these things here at school. unfortunately for me, pulling up near 250 is quite an achievement. i can do one on a good day, haha. i can do a few dips, and i love squatting until the next day. after doing legs i have a hard time even sitting down to poop for a few days, haha, gross

[merv the perv]

this is kind of like a strip set, i haven't done one of those in years. i used to lift religiously with my dad for about a year (he used to do amateur body building contests). i'll see if this helps me increase my press. thanks for the advice!
you're welcome

[imirish06]

5'11 180lbs
Flat Bench - 325
Decline Bench - 350

This was before Christmas break though. I had to take a month off from the gym and to top that off my diet took a tumble for a month and I wasn't getting NEAR enough protein as I shouldve been. I actually started January off at 170(how much I weighted). I have done cardio in 2 months. I'm back up to 180 but the strength isn't all the way there. If I maxed now I'd probably get 315.

[imirish06]

when you're posting your info, you should include height and weight. also it is a lot easier for someone with short arms to bench. anyways, I like bench, but everyone, along with bicep curls, does this excercise. you want to see the people in the gym who care about getting strong, look at the squat rack, dip and pullup bars.

That's probably the best thing I've heard someone say on this website in regards to lifting.

[imirish06]

Try and do your triceps the same day since they're already used in the chest exercises because they should be sore the next day or two and you dont' want to work them out while they're sore.

Actually(and this is just my opinion). I'd do completely the opposite.

I never work triceps with chest and never work biceps with back. The smaller muscles are both getting enough work that day with the chest and back.

If you're doing them on the same day, one muscle group isn't going to be able to be hit as hard as you can hit it. And since the whole key to gaining muscle and strength is heavy weight... I want to be hitting it with the heaviest weight I could hit it with. And I can't do that to my triceps if I just get done working my chest.

[merv the perv]

Actually(and this is just my opinion). I'd do completely the opposite.

I never work triceps with chest and never work biceps with back. The smaller muscles are both getting enough work that day with the chest and back.

If you're doing them on the same day, one muscle group isn't going to be able to be hit as hard as you can hit it. And since the whole key to gaining muscle and strength is heavy weight... I want to be hitting it with the heaviest weight I could hit it with. And I can't do that to my triceps if I just get done working my chest.
That's a good point, and I may have to try that.

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

My max was 220 when I weighed around 225-235 before my senior football season.

I haven't benched since, seeing as how I fucked my shoulder all up during that season. It's been 16 months since the initial injury, and according to my most recent MRI, OVER 1/2 of the neck of my scapula still has a "significant bone bruise" (see pic below). I also have slight fraying of the labrum and rotator cuff, too minor for surgery, but enough to cause constant pain.

Use this picture for reference if you're interested:
http://www.upperlimbcentre.com/images/bones.jpg
The bruise would be where the "glenoid rim" is pointed out, and was a result of the humerus being slammed into the joint with an "excessive amount of force".

[kbauer]

Man oh man. After experiencing football, baseball, cross-country, track, karate, boxing, and other activities, soccer is one of the most tiring things I've ever done. Well, that and vigorous sex.

I never played soccer but watching outdoor soccer, depending on the pace of the game, it looks nuts. I would think a sport that combines more physcial contact activity, speed and stamina like football lacrosse or hockey would be more challenging but I cant stand all these idiots that claim soccer isnt a sport, if you say that you mine as well go ahead and say basketball isnt a sport either. I found baseball to be easy, its more of a mental/timing game, its only taxing rounding the bases or tracking down a ball in the outfield, and you never take enough swings in a game to get tired from that, I never pitched though and Im sure that gets tiring.

lol You have to be in good shape for sex, it definately makes a difference.

[kbauer]

wow, that's kind of weird that you could lose that much strength, but it doesn't surprise me since it's been two years. Back in the summer, after I had worked my bench up from 165 to about 185, I didn't lift for like three weeks and I was basically back down to 165, but I got it back up pretty easily.


I was so fucking active and eating healthy for so long, when I abruptly stopped and completely changed my lifestyle to laying on the couch, partying with my friends and started eating Tim Hortans for breakfast, Wendys for lunch and Taco Bell for dinner everyday, my metabolism and strength took a major nose dive. I thought I was in such good shape that I could fool around and just not care for a while and in the end I would gain like 5 pounds. Unfortunately the changes were way more dramtic than that and the contrast was insane. Now its hard finding the time, money and will to get myself in shape again.
If the difference in me physically over the past years have tought me anything, is that Im not naturally strong and my metabolism is naturally slow, so in order to be in good atheletic shape I really have to push myself to my limits all the time and its hard to get back to that point.

I need to go train in Siberia like in Rocky 4, I have the soundtrack and a creepy beard, so Im half way there.

[Rock]

Just for fun, how much can you bench press (one rep max)? I have always had a pretty weak chest, but I've been working on it. About a year ago, I had trouble with like 165, but now I throw up 215. If I can get to 250, I'll be happy.

I'm 6'3'', 207.
i'm such a pussy. i'm 6'1", 185 and i bench about 205. i have a lot of ideas why this is the case, but feel like it would be difficult to change without additional knowledge and a lot of time.

[scream4me]

I'm 5'7 124 and I bench 180 squat 300 and power cling 185 but I workout like everyday for basketball and football

[RunStrong]

bump. 5'6 125 lbs. 190 on bench. cross country class helped me get there.

[1moreandimfree]

I weight 145 and max out at 190.

[nightskies]

bhaha nothing probably

[FreshyFresh23]

5'9 170lbs. i max out at about 240-250. but i work out every day, play lax for the club team here

[dai the flu]

6'1 225lbs. used to bench 240-250, i'd be surprised if i could do 200 now.

[nonamesleft]

I'm 5'2 and a half and I've never bench pressed in my life
so
suck on that

[+thecalisonme]

I'm 5'2 and a half and I've never bench pressed in my life
so
suck on that
shave your mustache please

[soundofthebrown]

:strong:

[nonamesleft]

I don't have a mustache :(
although it is March Mustache Month so everyone grow one! :)

[ManDown23]

does a goatee count?

http://www.fan2band.com/DynamicImages/61610_141_41_828.gif (http://www.fan2band.com/dynamiclink/61610_141_41_828)

[nonamesleft]

Goatee March? Doesn't sound as good.

[NEP633]

im 16, weigh about 130, can bench 190 and squat about 300...some of u big guys need to step it up.. You're barely doing you own body weight.

[CrashingHearts]

i think im the only girl who came to this thread to say how much they could bench
and im not sure i like that.

im 19 and im only 5'5 but i can bench 140, or around 140, [actually i think its 142 to be exact] btu lately i've been working on legs more then arms for lacrosse and track. leg extensions, i can do like, 160.

like i said, im not sure if thats creepy cause im a girl, but im like, hardcore lacrosse/track/hurtles.

[StrictlyBiznas]

i think im the only girl who came to this thread to say how much they could bench
and im not sure i like that.

im 19 and im only 5'5 but i can bench 140, or around 140, [actually i think its 142 to be exact] btu lately i've been working on legs more then arms for lacrosse and track. leg extensions, i can do like, 160.

like i said, im not sure if thats creepy cause im a girl, but im like, hardcore lacrosse/track/hurtles.

Nah thats not creepy, its cool that you're into sports and taking care of yourself.

[Adrian Villagomez]

i think im the only girl who came to this thread to say how much they could bench
and im not sure i like that.

im 19 and im only 5'5 but i can bench 140, or around 140, [actually i think its 142 to be exact] btu lately i've been working on legs more then arms for lacrosse and track. leg extensions, i can do like, 160.

like i said, im not sure if thats creepy cause im a girl, but im like, hardcore lacrosse/track/hurtles.Kudos on your killer strength.

[NEP633]

that is pretty impressive

[duhpunk]

fuck shoulder injuries, that's all i have to say

[1moreandimfree]

Put up 205 for the first time yesterday.

[Iamhome]

I put up about 600...



...oz.

[dsmil]

I've never tried maxing out, I usually do 3 sets of 155 lbs. 7-10 reps. What would be a reasonable max out weight seeing those numbers?

[RunStrong]

i think im the only girl who came to this thread to say how much they could bench
and im not sure i like that.

im 19 and im only 5'5 but i can bench 140, or around 140, [actually i think its 142 to be exact] btu lately i've been working on legs more then arms for lacrosse and track. leg extensions, i can do like, 160.

like i said, im not sure if thats creepy cause im a girl, but im like, hardcore lacrosse/track/hurtles.
i. love. track. girls.

and for the above post, i'd say...230 lbs?

[ActorInThisPlay]

maxing out is dumb, and i'm pretty sure that everyone lies about this subject.
yeah I honestly doubt that a lot people aren't exaggerating this...I mean people exaggerate it to their friends in person let alone on an internet message board.

Anyway, I don't max out but last time I did flat bench with the bar I did 185 so whatever.

Also I was 5'9" 165 lbs.

[CrashingHearts]

We started weight lifting in Middle School
did anyone else do that? We had a weight room.
so i started when i was in probably 7th-8th grade.

[Adrian Villagomez]

We started weight lifting in Middle School
did anyone else do that? We had a weight room.
so i started when i was in probably 7th-8th grade.Middle School Athletics represent. Yeah, we did that.

[imirish06]

I've never tried maxing out, I usually do 3 sets of 155 lbs. 7-10 reps. What would be a reasonable max out weight seeing those numbers?

if you do 10... about 205-210
if its just 7 reps... prolly around 185-190

[ElrahPrime]

Weight: 165
Bench Max: 375lb

but I'm more of a full squatter and a deadlifter. The most I've bench was 385lb but I sort of hurt my anterior delts and it wouldn't heal for a month.

[ActorInThisPlay]

Weight: 165
Bench Max: 375lb

but I'm more of a full squatter and a deadlifter. The most I've bench was 385lb but I sort of hurt my anterior delts and it wouldn't heal for a month.
you're 165 and can bench 375...I find that hard to believe.

[CrashingHearts]

Weight: 165
Bench Max: 375lb

but I'm more of a full squatter and a deadlifter. The most I've bench was 385lb but I sort of hurt my anterior delts and it wouldn't heal for a month.


How tall are you?

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

How tall are you?
4'4

[NEP633]

yes, hard to believe. yea id like to see a picture of you.

[NEP633]

if you do 10... about 205-210
if its just 7 reps... prolly around 185-190

i think it would be more in the 210- 225 range.

[marrost]

i think it would be more in the 210- 225 range.Overestimate. imirish had it right.

[imirish06]

eh.. this website that I help out at/moderate.. there was an article posted about us on yahoo yesterday. kinda cool considering we started from a myspace group.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20070403/bs_prweb/prweb516085_1

[NEP633]

Overestimate. imirish had it right.

no.

[imirish06]

no.

yes.

now refrain from replying as if you're right. before I make a fool out of you on this subject.

[marrost]

no.A few months ago I was doing 155 for a hard ten on the first set and would do 195 for one on the last set, putting my max probably at either 205 or 210 so yea. Shut up.

[Zeran]

bout 50 lbs

[NEP633]

A few months ago I was doing 155 for a hard ten on the first set and would do 195 for one on the last set, putting my max probably at either 205 or 210 so yea. Shut up.

i guess everyones different. im at about 140 for a hard ten and my max is 200. so if i was doing 155 10 times my max would most likely be more than 215.

[RivalTEAMS.com]

My girl weighs about 500lbs and i have to lift her up every night (;-) ), now that's the true meaning of weight lifting...