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2004/02/25, 12:43 AM
Hi everyone... its been a long time since ive been logged on... but anyway, im 19 6'1 and 218lbs and about 12 percent body fat... anyway i only bench for example 135lbs 12 reps or 145 or 155 8-10 reps... this is so little for my size... i have a really weak bench press. I see people in the gym that look lie they have never lifted a weight in their life do much more than me... lol... its frustrating... does anyone have any opinions or help on this? i have been lifting for a long time now and im a pretty good size, i just dont get it. someone told me it has to do with different muscle fibers in different people etc. ?? any help, facts or advice would be awesome!
Thanks alot.
Eric B
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2004/02/25, 12:47 AM
my advice is get over the bench press and conquer the dead lift or squat. But try the FT program for chest muscle mass. lol Mike
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I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it is gone past me I will turn to see fear's path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain
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2004/02/25, 12:55 AM
Eric -
There are several great programs and tips on this topic under the powerliftng thread. Take a look there, and let us know if you have any questions.
Good luck!
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Michael
Trample the weak; hurdle the dead!
Chaos, Panic, Disorder.... Yes, my work here is done!
rev8ball@freetrainers.com
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2004/02/25, 11:37 AM
Bench pressing less does not make you any less of a man, everyone seem to think to be a "manly man" you need a high bench press...........I say f*** those people, i'm 250lbs and most of my reps don't go over 225lbs.....I work within myself, i'm not at the gym to impress or impose on anyone, i'm there for me, nto for anyone else. Yes i'd love to bench press 400lbs for 10 reps, hell no one wouldn't, but the fact of the matter is..........who cares? Unless your your trying to set a record, don't worry about the weight.......people always ask me " hom much you leg pressing there man" I just shrug my shoulders and say i'm not sure, theres 10 plats on each side but i don't add the weight up, if it feels good i do it, i'f i sore or not feeling it that day, I'll put 4 plats on there and do like sets of 25 or 30. I have never had anyone come up and tell me I should be bench pressing more than I should, cause if they did i'd tell them to come over to the rack, and tell them to squat 315 for 12 reps below parellel for 2 sets, then go do some deadlifts and cleans..........get over bench pressing man........theres more important things in life.:surprised:
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.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
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2004/02/25, 02:50 PM
i understand that, but i mean 135lbs is nothin compared to the size i am.. i just think its odd...
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2004/02/25, 02:53 PM
It takes time to build the strength required. Be patient and employ different techniques/routines. It took me close to a year to increase just 30 pounds.
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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
E-mail: rpacheco@freetrainers.com
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2004/02/25, 02:58 PM
Eric , you also need to consider 1 rep max. I used the FT calculator with 155x8 reps. Your 1 rep max is 197. As far as the odd thing...we are all odd. Embrace it. LOl. Your bench will come up in time. Doing full body workouts will make it happen quicker.
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Some times life is like herding cats.
Charlie
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2004/02/25, 06:24 PM
thanks for your input guys!! it just feels weird to lift alot for my shoulders triceps back etc etc.. and then once i hit the bench or incline dumbells or somethin i cant lift anything... and its not like my chest is small in proportion to the rest of my body... shrug... i dunno, ive been bodybuilding for a while now, maybe its time to focus a little more on powerlifting to bring my stength up... anybody know if muscle mass is everything to do with strength or not at all?
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2004/02/27, 12:13 AM
well 1st off don't train your whole body in one day.................2nd size has nothing to do with strength.............most olymipic clean and jerk power lifters are like 200lbs........its all about form and explosiveness
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.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
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2004/02/28, 11:04 AM
Also - look at your arm length - the longer the lever, the heavier the weight, so you may have a disadvantage because of that. But, that doesn't mean you can't bring your stregth up on the bench.
Another thing you have to consider is that some guys only bench. They are physically really imbalanced, but they can bench a ton. Don't go that route.
Keep training and maybe try making compound chest exercises a priority for 6-8 weeks - that means the first workout after your day off is chest and you hit it with good compound moves from a few different angles. The next day you can do a different bodypart, like back or arms or legs. You could even try hitting chest twice, but make sure 3-4 days inbetween chest workouts for maximum recovery. Also - practice practical chest strength with push-ups and dips.
Good luck!
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"To be able to go to the gym and train hard is a joy and a privelege, even though the hard work necessitates driving yourself through considerable discomfort. Savor this privelege and blessing, and revel in it."
Stuart McRobert, Beyond Brawn
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2004/03/01, 11:10 AM
yes usualy the longer the arms you have, the wider your grip needs to be, this way you don't have to bench press as "far" motion wise. But then again I have short arm but i can only bench maybe 300 at the most,,just cause my upper body strength isn't all that great.
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.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
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2004/03/02, 01:31 AM
I have long arms and a somewhat "weak" bench(I weigh 155 and usually do 4 sets at 115). But I have good form and would never bounce the bar off of my chest, lock out my arms, or arch my back like I see a lot of other people doing. However, I am gaining size in the chest, and I am convinced that after this 8 week cycle and a couple weeks of rest, I will come back to the bench at least a bit stronger.
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2004/03/02, 02:35 AM
I was stuck at 205lbs on the bench for a long time, then someone told me to focus working out hard on my triceps and it will increase my Bench. Need less to say they was right.. I not only increased strength in my tricep it definetly helped my bench.. I am now able to get 265lbs 1 time rep. Keep working hard and you will accomplish your goals... God Luck!
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