How Much Can You Bench Press?

**Testosterone.** · 12-17-2011, 11:30 AM

Was curious how much people bench pressed around here. I recently broke through the 315 lb level and feel as though i'm finally on my way to my ultimate goal of 405 lbs. My 1 rep max is around 335 on a good day.

I was stuck between 225 - 315 for almost a year and am hoping to hit that 405 mark within another year to 18 months.

BG · 12-17-2011, 01:06 PM

After hitting 315 it took me a while to get more weight up. I would just stick with 315 for a bit, work on getting it for 5-6 reps then start putting more weight on.

**Testosterone.** · 12-17-2011, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by BG

After hitting 315 it took me a while to get more weight up. I would just stick with 315 for a bit, work on getting it for 5-6 reps then start putting more weight on.

Do you pyramid up to your 1RM and if so how many sets do you normally do before you hit that 1RM. I have mainly used the Pyramid system then do a drop set after my 1RM. Every 3 weeks or so I switch it up and do the same weight for reps multiple sets.

**slfmade** · 12-17-2011, 02:07 PM

I'm sure this has been linked before, but this is first I've seen it. It's very interesting (mind blowing to me) to see the progression over the past 110+ yrs that we've made in breaking records. Makes you wonder where we'll be in another 100 years. Or do you think we've hit close to the max. No trying to hijack but I thought it was interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progres...s_world_record

**Testosterone.** · 12-17-2011, 03:57 PM

So I clicked that link and realized that maybe in a few months I could be compared to an 1898 WORLD RECORD HOLDER LOL..

Then I saw something on that link that changed my focus.. I saw: The advent of bench press shirts, which support the lifter's shoulders and provide upward force, have increased records significantly (for example, when the shirted record was 965 lbs (438.64 kg), the unshirted record was just 713 lbs (323.41 kg)).[1]..

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a "bench press shirt". I wonder how much I could bench using one and if it would help with technique.

**bigdavevegas** · 12-17-2011, 07:57 PM

Very interesting read self made

**dec11** · 12-17-2011, 10:54 PM

i topped out at 170kgs, never was a bencher and it let me down in plift meets. i dont barbell press at all anymore

**wmaousley** · 12-18-2011, 01:59 AM

129,000 grams

**Donman1001** · 12-18-2011, 06:11 AM

what are ur stats?

**redz** · 12-18-2011, 10:57 AM

Never broke 400 myself, hit 390 for 2 reps but suffered a minor injury shortly after and never got to make an attempt while I was that strong. Been off the gear for a while now, not sure if I can get to that point in one cycle again. Likely it will take time and dedication just like everything we do.

**lmmalone** · 12-19-2011, 12:30 PM

Good find. Makes you wonder if in a few hundred years someone will be putting up 2,000+

**tapout417** · 12-20-2011, 05:20 PM

I have also been working to put up over 300. Yesterday I hit 315 for 2 clean reps, and glad about it. Also pounding out 100lb dumbbells on incline for reps

**dec11** · 12-20-2011, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by lmmalone;583***8

Good find. Makes you wonder if in a few hundred years someone will be putting up 2,000+

they wont.....

**Stevencusson** · 12-20-2011, 06:27 PM

You guys are beast! LOL I do 160 for 10 reps, by my 3rd set im down to 5. But for the first 2 years I train I didn't really try for size. Just more to help in sports.

I'm 180lbs
6'
10% fat (maybe 12 now with Christmas being here)

**JohnnyVegas** · 12-20-2011, 08:54 PM

Yeah, you guys make me feel weak.

**Armykid93** · 12-21-2011, 02:52 PM

Ive never max benched but I can rep 225 12 times, what would my max be around do you think?

**slfmade** · 12-21-2011, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Armykid93

Ive never max benched but I can rep 225 12 times, what would my max be around do you think?

If you post a video of you doing 225 12 times...I can tell you exactly what your max would be.

**Nooomoto** · 12-22-2011, 01:44 AM

405 1RM to the chest and full extension is my limit due to a chronic shoulder problem. Right now I'm probably around 375. I was also stuck at 315 for a long time. You need to do a real program to progress into the higher numbers. Check out Elite FTS, they have some solid programs and I've personally used a lot of them and don't have any complaints.

**TBrah** · 12-22-2011, 02:01 AM

315 and ashamed

**Twin** · 12-22-2011, 02:47 AM

195 pounds , 3 sets, 7, 6, 6 reps.

with 1 min - 1 min - 30 second rest between the sets...

***t-gunz*** · 12-22-2011, 02:51 AM

flat bench with a bar?

i dont even do it :/

**guitario** · 12-22-2011, 04:53 PM

Just 115kg but I'm 5'11, 180lbs and never been a bencher. I can dumbbell press a pair of 47.5kg's for 5 reps though which is definitely better.

***t-gunz*** · 12-22-2011, 09:25 PM

^^^ im same height and similar weight. and i can press dumbells that work out to be heavier than my bench with Barbell

**dec11** · 12-22-2011, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by t-gunz

flat bench with a bar?

i dont even do it :/

you're better off mate, its a shoulder killer for alot of ppl. incline dbells all the way

**Standby** · 12-22-2011, 09:47 PM

recently been doing all barbell work for change of my like year and a half dumbells lol. i cant bench sh*t

**Sgt. Hartman** · 12-22-2011, 09:53 PM

Flat barbell BB destroyed my AC joint in my shoulder and I haven't done them since. I feel like I get just as much or even more out of using dumbells - strict form with full range of motion.

To answer the thread question, I stupidly tried BB incline a couple weeks ago and got 315 for 5 reps. I'll just say that I will never be doing that again, shoulder is still fvcked.

**Gaspari1255** · 12-22-2011, 10:02 PM

I don't do flat BB any more. I hit the 150lb DBs for like 5 around Halloween with Haz. That was before I hit depression and lost 12lbs of muscle.....I'm just doing hammer strength and smith currently.

**stpete** · 12-23-2011, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by BG

After hitting 315 it took me a while to get more weight up. I would just stick with 315 for a bit, work on getting it for 5-6 reps then start putting more weight on.

This is exactly what i did! I went to 5x5 for a while and even though it took a while, it worked. But i got stupid and tore my rotator. Now i only grab the DB'S...BB too restrictive.

**jpulley** · 12-23-2011, 08:41 AM

315 was my max when i was 22 I'm now 27 and after a shoulder injury I haven't been able to lift much for about 18 months now. I'm just now starting to do reps with 135 without putting me in a lot of pain.

**Armykid93** · 12-25-2011, 09:09 PM

Just did 225 15 times last night

**randymeans** · 12-25-2011, 10:02 PM

Why not put your height and weight with how much you bench? I did 5x5 for 6 weeks and maxed at 315lbs at 165-170lbs at 5'7" now I'm at around 200 lbs trying to cut down for the past 2 months and did 225x22 2 weeks ago! Idk who else is short like me but bench and deadlift are soooo easy.....running however is not as fun!

**dec11** · 12-25-2011, 11:16 PM

alot of shoulder trouble going on in this thread, flat BB bench is the enemy!!

**SportbikerKid** · 12-25-2011, 11:34 PM

Max bench 335
training for 15 months natty
5'11"
16% BF (gonna cut this spring)

I bench the same way as OP. Pyramid up to max, then do dropsets (usually do 3-4). looking to hit 405 before 2013 (natty and raw)

**lmmalone** · 12-26-2011, 03:18 AM

Just recently broke 200. I haven't been lifting too long though. Plan on getting that to at least 350+ natty

**randymeans** · 12-26-2011, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by dec11

alot of shoulder trouble going on in this thread, flat BB bench is the enemy!!

Agreed!

**lovbyts** · 12-26-2011, 07:44 AM

I only want to look like I bench 400 but stick with 250lbs

When I use to go to the public gym I would get asked all the time how much I bench. I honestly have no idea, I dont usually max out or do less than 5 or 6 reps.

**auswest** · 12-26-2011, 08:11 AM

Don't really work on max's on bench never have a spotter but was working out with a mate and pulled 308 after quite alot of benching leading upto it.Usually just use db's rep 110,s for 5-8. All though I use most of my energy getting them to start my first rep. I notice alot of people have spotters for that which I dint have the luxury of.. As I have changed my workout however I'm gonna stop dropping the weight and focusing more on muscle to mi d connection really focusing on the muscle and nit the number I'm throwing around which alot of us seem to get lost in..

**hannibal1** · 12-26-2011, 08:13 AM

I never lift over 275 on a flat bench. A few years ago I read where Dorian Yates discouraged it because of injuries and I've done the same from that point. The most I've done is 275 for 7 reps on a flat and 315 for 4 reps on decline. My shoulders don't like heavy incline.

**Times Roman** · 12-26-2011, 10:31 AM

i have no spotter, so i rep with 1.25x my weight. if you've ever been in trouble with the bench (by yourself) you'll understand why i don't push it.....

**lovbyts** · 12-27-2011, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

i have no spotter, so i rep with 1.25x my weight. if you've ever been in trouble with the bench (by yourself) you'll understand why i don't push it.....

LOL I hear you there. I have been there more times than I want to remember; OK only like 3x. Last time was a little embarrassing sine someone had just asked me if I wanted a spotter and I declined. It was my 4th set and going to failure. I failed alright. hahahahaha He came over and helped lift it but it still would not have been an issue since I never use collars just in-case so I can tip it and drop the weights.