How much could you bench before you starting using chemicals?

[wango]

I’ve never benched more than 245. I played basketball and tennis so was fairly skinny then. My bench sucks since injuring shoulder but it is slowly coming back. My long term goal over a few years is to get to 315. My short term goal is just to get back to 4 plates/225. My left shoulder holds me back but it’s improving fast as long as I keep lifting, and focusing on bracing & posture both in and out of gym.

Just be careful to not let pride get in your way. If that shoulder is shifting, you are not doing your rotator cuff a favor. I was similar to you, a lean tall basketball player. With my long arms, my max bench was 225. It’s all machines these days, but oddly can do close grip bench even with f’d up shoulders.

[DinAZ]

Just be careful to not let pride get in your way. If that shoulder is shifting, you are not doing your rotator cuff a favor. I was similar to you, a lean tall basketball player. With my long arms, my max bench was 225. It’s all machines these days, but oddly can do close grip bench even with f’d up shoulders.

Definitely will do. I generally don’t do a max on something much higher than what I can do 6-12 of, just because it helps protect me from injury. For example I’m doing 3x12 hip sled at 540lbs with effort but not near max. I can hit 720x6. I’d like to hit a 1000lbs for 1 or more reps but I won’t attempt that until I can do 810 for at least 2x12 or 3x12. I think being older makes it easier to focus on form and not ego lift compared to early 20s. I only compete with myself in the weight room at this point in life.

[< <Samson> >]

It all depends


Me - I could barely push 135 < and, I tried for years - maybe maxed out at 150Lbs

But, I didn’t know that my natural test levels were in the mid 300’s

On juice - I max out a little over tripple plates

I repped 110 Lb Dumbbells

Now - after my health shit - I push at 70-80% & push 12+ rep sets

I seen all natural guys push what I push now < we’re all different

[DinAZ]

It all depends


Me - I could barely push 135 < and, I tried for years - maybe maxed out at 150Lbs

But, I didn’t know that my natural test levels were in the mid 300’s

On juice - I max out a little over tripple plates

I repped 110 Lb Dumbbells

Now - after my health shit - I push at 70-80% & push 12+ rep sets

I seen all natural guys push what I push now < we’re all different

I can relate to that. When I was young I could hit 2 plates but that was also my body weight so nothing impressive but I’d do 135-175 for reps. Now I’m barely putting up 135 for reps but the fact the bar is going up straight is a win. I couldn’t even bar bench 6 months ago so Im just taking the small victories instead of worrying about weight.

Squats and hipsled or leg press are the only things I can hit a somewhat respectable weight on.

My natural build is strong legs and a weak bird chest so hearing stories like yours is good for me. Stories like yours help me realize my goals are all possible if I stick with consistent training. Oh yeah, and also inject some testosterone

[< <Samson> >]

I can relate to that. When I was young I could hit 2 plates but that was also my body weight so nothing impressive but I’d do 135-175 for reps. Now I’m barely putting up 135 for reps but the fact the bar is going up straight is a win. I couldn’t even bar bench 6 months ago so Im just taking the small victories instead of worrying about weight.

Squats and hipsled or leg press are the only things I can hit a somewhat respectable weight on.

My natural build is strong legs and a weak bird chest so hearing stories like yours is good for me. Stories like yours help me realize my goals are all possible if I stick with consistent training. Oh yeah, and also inject some testosterone

Why? What happened? < I miss something?

I hit all my maxes after my head “incident” - and, it’s all about maintenance - as long as possible

[DinAZ]

I stopped working out like 8 years ago after I had a back injury and I also separated my shoulder since then crashing a quad doing doughnuts like an idiot.

So right now I’m mainly focusing on recomp and fixing any imbalances as much as possible. After recomp I’m going to work on cutting more fat and finally after that I can work on bulking.

[< <Samson> >]

I stopped working out like 8 years ago after I had a back injury and I also separated my shoulder since then crashing a quad doing doughnuts like an idiot.

So right now I’m mainly focusing on recomp and fixing any imbalances as much as possible. After recomp I’m going to work on cutting more fat and finally after that I can work on bulking.

Ah,

I figured it had to be health/injury related


It’s crazy how an injury can just set you back so so far