How much you bench?

[All_Kindz_Of_Gainz]

Lightweight baby.

Last set - 8 reps

 

[CyrusTheGreat]

180 3sets 7reps.

 

[All_Kindz_Of_Gainz]

180 3sets 7reps.

I don't like barbells man, it hurts my wrists

 

[CyrusTheGreat]

I don't like barbells man, it hurts my wrists

I can imagine. It somewhat depends on how you hold the bar. Making sure your knuckles point upward helps a bit

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Wasn't a fan of flat bench as I had an impingement and that bothered the hell out of it.

My PR for decline was 380 lbs for 2 reps. Partially tore my left pec on the second rep, but ended up getting it back up.

 

[EyeBRollin]

My PR was 250 X 3. I was 170lbs at the time.

I do not bench heavy anymore. Just some maintenance work.

 

[Giovanni SouthSide]

I rather do standing/sitting ohp then bench now a days. OHP hits my upper chest as well pretty good.

 

[All_Kindz_Of_Gainz]

I can imagine. It somewhat depends on how you hold the bar. Making sure your knuckles point upward helps a bit

I've never done it before, 2 weeks ago I tried it with 225 x 8 reps, and my wrists was hurting a lot, also I get more stretch with dumbbells idk

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I can imagine. It somewhat depends on how you hold the bar. Making sure your knuckles point upward helps a bit

In general, I always try to squeeze my hands together when they are on the bar for greater pec activation. You don't actually move your hands, but you act like you are trying to push them together while on the bar. Pretty intense.

 

[DonBig]

380lbs for 6 reps but I prefer dumbbells. Bench just for fun

 

[Gamisch]

Always did oldschool boxing(no weight lifting), and recently picked up weights, like a year ago.

My plateau seems to be the bar and 2 x 20 kg.

In the past I have injured my shoulder by ego lifting, so I am extremely careful about increasing weight

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

Most I ever did was 225lbs 5x but that's when I weighed 200+ lbs.

Nowadays, at any given time I'm somewhere around 200 +/-5 for 3-5x, can't seem to get much higher since I prefer being lean as possible

Also, bench is a poor representation of overall strength.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Most I ever did was 225lbs 5x but that's when I weighed 200+ lbs.

Nowadays, at any given time I'm somewhere around 200 +/-5 for 3-5x, can't seem to get much higher since I prefer being lean as possible

Also, bench is a poor representation of overall strength.

That's not a reason you shouldn't be able to lift more. I was 188 lbs and sub 10% BF when I hit my PR of 380.

Some combination of not pushing yourself enough, not training for strength increases or perhaps genetic limitations.

 

[DonJuanjr]

Currently 161 lbs and last chest day was 3 sets of 6 at 215 while starting to focus on going 100% again after a reoccurring tendon/ligament issue. Still present, but not limiting.

At 175lbs my 1 rep max was 295.

 

[Chowdah]

5x5 @ 215lb, so close to 2 plates, maybe another 2 months before I hit it since I’ll be traveling the next month.
Any ideas on how to maintain strength from hotel gyms?

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Currently 161 lbs and last chest day was 3 sets of 6 at 215 while starting to focus on going 100% again after a reoccurring tendon/ligament issue. Still present, but not limiting.

At 175lbs my 1 rep max was 295.

Shoulder? Shoulder injuries are the worst...they never truly go away 100%, always lurking in the background to reappear at some point. Dealt with an impingement since my college days and have gone a few years sometimes without any issues and then seemingly out of nowhere it rears its ugly head again.

As you get older the default is to be working around an injury almost constantly it seems...one heals and then another somewhere else pops up. Definitely have noticed the body breaks done a lot more as you age and that is with me taking care of it properly, taking collagen peptides regularly and being on top of nutrition for 90% of the time. I'd hate to see guys that do none of that at my age...

 

[BackInTheGame78]

5x5 @ 215lb, so close to 2 plates, maybe another 2 months before I hit it since I’ll be traveling the next month.
Any ideas on how to maintain strength from hotel gyms?

Heavy resistance bands. Very easy to pack and take with you on the road, fits in a suitcase. I have and recommend TorroBands.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

That's not a reason you shouldn't be able to lift more. I was 188 lbs and sub 10% BF when I hit my PR of 380.

Some combination of not pushing yourself enough, not training for strength increases or perhaps genetic limitations.

I'm inclined to believe it's genetics. I tried Stronglifts, Madcow/Texas Method, numerous times and my own routines, getting over 205 or so at my weight seems nearly impossible. I can get my squat and deadlift up more easily though.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I'm inclined to believe it's genetics. I tried Stronglifts, Madcow/Texas Method, numerous times and my own routines, getting over 205 or so at my weight seems nearly impossible.

Quite possible. Everyone has different levels naturally of white versus red muscle fiber, and although you can alter it somewhat based on training modalities, in large part, you will always be more efficient and better at what you are naturally aligned with.

 

[Obee1]

I've never done it before, 2 weeks ago I tried it with 225 x 8 reps, and my wrists was hurting a lot, also I get more stretch with dumbbells idk

You are holding the bar in the fingers and upper palm. This is causing the bar to crank your wrist back. Not only is this wrong, you are leaking power on the concentric portion of your bench. This is actually very common. The bar should sit in your hands so that the weight is directly over your forearms. Position the bar on your palms with open hands while spreading your fingers. Slightly turn your hands/ thumbs inward/ down. Now grab the bar.