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New personal record (bench)

jbennett Posts: 1,558 Joined: 2001/02/28	2002/10/16, 10:13 PM First of all, my goal is to be able to bench 350lbs by early to mid December. 2 weeks ago I put up 330 and I was psyched. So, today (my heavy bench day) I load up the bar on my 5th set with 325 - one rep, no problem. I figured that I would try to jump up another 20lbs but I had a big doubt in my mind that I could get that up. Well, tried 345 and DID IT!!! I was soooo pumped that I tried 355 - and could barely get it off my chest. Oh well. But I am still in a state of shock that I put up 345. For me, that's awesome. Because of this, I've changed my goal - I WILL bench 360 by Christmas. I've increased my bench 45lbs in 5 months, which includes a time of about a month and a half when I stopped working out because my newborn daughter was in the hospital. I LOVE POWER TRAINING!!!!!!! ---------------------------- --JBennett "I've up-ed my intensity.... now up yours!" "Pain is only weakness leaving the body." "Never think of how weak you are; think of how strong you're going to be."
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/16, 11:34 PM Congratulations!! It is probably the most awesome feeling in the world at that minute to get a personal best on the bench! I remember wanting to do 300 soooooo very badly. I was stuck for months at about 290. One Sunday I went in and thought I would give it a try, and it shot right up!! I was in my glory. That is probably my second love besides competing in bodybuilding. I love to bench. I even write myself notes the day before my bench workout to try to psyche myself up! Again, congratulations. You will hit that new mark no problem!
rev8ball Posts: 3,081 Joined: 2001/12/27	2002/10/17, 01:23 AM absolutely fan-freakin'-tasitic! keep it going strong, bro'! you'll hit it before u know it, and it will taste soooooo sweet! maybe that lil' break u took was the best thing for ya. sometimes its hard to find the happy medium, so push hard, but not too hard... best of luck to u! -------------- Michael "Trample the weak; hurdle the dead!"
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2002/10/17, 01:08 PM CONGRATS!!!!! I know how you feel, I do not really try th bench that much, for me it is deadlifts. For the last few months I have been trying to increase it. Last month I hit 275 10 reps. It blew my mind away I was in the clouds all day. So keep it up you will hit it! -------------- I LIFT, THERFORE, I AM!
hey_yoda Posts: 36 Joined: 2002/10/03	2002/10/18, 07:42 PM jbennett, was this on a machine or with free weights? Either way, that's a lot of weight. Congrats.
jbennett Posts: 1,558 Joined: 2001/02/28	2002/10/18, 09:44 PM Thanks, guys. Reading your posts is motivating; I'll keep you updated. hey_yoda: I absolutely despise most machines so I won't workout unless I have freeweights. Give me an Olympic bar and a few plates and I'm good-to-go! -------------- --JBennett "I've up-ed my intensity.... now up yours!" "Pain is only weakness leaving the body." "Never think of how weak you are; think of how strong you're going to be."
EGChic207 Posts: 288 Joined: 2002/03/25	2002/10/18, 10:24 PM hey conrgats!! keep it up!!!:) -------------- Tiffany Der #10 "You have to make it through the rain in order to see the Rainbow........."
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2002/10/19, 09:23 AM LOL I feel the same way I really have no use for most machines....FREEWEIGHTS OR DIE!!! -------------- I LIFT, THERFORE, I AM!
stealthranger Posts: 9 Joined: 2002/10/20	2002/10/21, 12:16 AM congratulations man that is a lot of weight! i have a long way to go but i'm gettin up there. I went from doing 175 on my bench press to 225 within 4 months i've been using 10-8-6-4 bench press chart and it seems to work great for me. I need help w/ my shoulders though there coming a long slowly, anyone have any advice on how to gain mass a little quicker on the shoulders pls drop me a line. thx
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/21, 03:41 AM stealthranger....I think Probably the best compound mass building exercise for shoulders would be front military presses with as much weight as you can handle. Or heavy seated dumbell presses work equally well. Throw in some behind the neck presses, heavy shrugs for the traps, and you develop the entire shoulder. When you get the overall mass you desire, then you can add side lateral raises and rear lateral raises for your cannonball delt look.
cpaxp Posts: 31 Joined: 2002/08/30	2002/10/21, 10:10 PM congrats on your 345 bench. I have a big chest yet cannot bench as much as I think I should. I am 36 and want to do 300lbs on my 40th bday. I know 300 isn't much but is strength gain even possible in late 30s? I can probably do 260 or so now but I train at home alone without spotter so I never can max out.Another thing I have an old sears bench that is small and narrow Iheard a wider bench might make it easier? What are the legal measurements?Any way congrats on 245
stealthranger Posts: 9 Joined: 2002/10/20	2002/10/22, 03:49 PM a wider bench makes it alot better the one i have at home i have had for a really long time and the supports for the barbell are right where i want to put my hands. Big pain in the butt!! I actually tried to use it last night and i probably will never use it again, only the gym for me.
stealthranger Posts: 9 Joined: 2002/10/20	2002/10/22, 03:50 PM of course you could always purchase an olympic bench and weights. seems to me to be more comfortable to train on.
stealthranger Posts: 9 Joined: 2002/10/20	2002/10/22, 04:01 PM thx for the advice bb1fit i will try and see if i get any better progress.
cpaxp Posts: 31 Joined: 2002/08/30	2002/10/22, 09:01 PM 7707mutt I see you did 275 at 10 reps on deadlift is that KGs?
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2002/10/23, 11:01 AM NOPE THAT IS IN POUNDS -------------- Those who lift understand it. Those who do not, think we are crazy!
cpaxp Posts: 31 Joined: 2002/08/30	2002/10/23, 07:33 PM jbennett I was wondering what kind of bench pressing routine you have? Lots heavy low reps or what? thanks I am just looking for any tips to improve my bench. 7707mutt I am guessing we might be fairly even in our lifting. I have been lifting sinse my 35th bday (18 months) but not real hard how long you been at it?
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2002/10/23, 07:42 PM On and off for 6 years or so it seems that just when I make some breakthroughs I fall off the wagon like now. I have no gym to workout in and none for at least 3 months. The main problem I had was I was very caught up in the rep game. You know, I have 10 reps to hit I must hit them. The end result was that my gains lagged cause I stayed at the same weight forever. Now I know better, and I hope to make even better gains soon. -------------- Those who lift understand it. Those who do not, think we are crazy!
jbennett Posts: 1,558 Joined: 2001/02/28	2002/10/24, 12:41 PM cpaxp, I'm going to be honest with you - my routine is borderline overtraining. I am making awesome gains, but you have to really pay attention to your diet for it to be of any benefit to you. I was checking out a couple of websites on powerlifting and becoming stronger when I came across a routine inspired by Louie Simmons (world renowned powerlifter/trainer). Here's the website: http://deepsquatter.com/strength/archives/newdeep/louie2.htm I do speed bench on Sundays, heavy bench on Wednesdays. Once you take a look at the website you'll understand. You also need to pay attention to your shoulders and triceps. My tris are probably the reason I can bench 345. If you have any questions, let me know. -------------- --JBennett "I've up-ed my intensity.... now up yours!" "Pain is only weakness leaving the body." "Never think of how weak you are; think of how strong you're going to be."
cpaxp Posts: 31 Joined: 2002/08/30	2002/10/24, 12:54 PM mutt do you train only in the gym or at home too? and thanx jbennett
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2002/10/24, 01:05 PM I usually train at a gym but cause of the baby and money things I have to take a break...so I am at home doing pushups and curls lunges etc. -------------- Those who lift understand it. Those who do not, think we are crazy!
stealthranger Posts: 9 Joined: 2002/10/20	2002/11/09, 06:36 PM cpaxe i highly recommend 10 8 6 4 bench press for fairly quick gains .here's the address i got the bench chart from. http://www.geocities.com/thekickinggame/strength_and_conditioning.htm it seems t be very accurate and works very well for me and my buddy try it for about 2 months.
roni0906 Posts: 1,008 Joined: 2002/01/24	2002/11/17, 04:12 PM Congradulations JBennett. Love to hear the success. -------------- Lisa