Is a 225 bench impressive to you?

**Cuz** · 09-24-2013, 05:29 PM

Repped it 23 times 4 weeks into Test E cycle....these are very fast reps. Not the UP....Down....UP....down....style. I gotta move the shit fast to get into the 20+ rep range.

315 for 9 6 weeks in. haven burned out with 225 in a couple weeks. Might could get 24 now.

**redz** · 09-24-2013, 05:42 PM

One of my best sets ever was 345 for 8 reps. I have topped out at 390 however I have not reached that number in years, I am just starting to train heavy again. I must hit 400lbs, I was so close at one point but my wrist of all things was the weak link. I'll always wrap them from now on when I go for 300+.

**RipOwens** · 09-24-2013, 05:44 PM

If I benched it, then I would impress myself for sure

**Cuz** · 09-24-2013, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by redz

One of my best sets ever was 345 for 8 reps. I have topped out at 390 however I have not reached that number in years, I am just starting to train heavy again. I must hit 400lbs, I was so close at one point but my wrist of all things was the weak link. I'll always wrap them from now on when I go for 300+.

345 for 8 and you still couldn't get 405? Something seems off there I would have thought for sure you would have gotten it that's a shit ton of weight for a set of 8!

**Trevtrev** · 09-24-2013, 06:01 PM

It was quite impressive to me the first time I was able to do it. Was a milestone for sure.

The gym isn't about being impressed, it's about getting work done then getting the hell out. That's why I stopped going to golds and other similar gyms. Everyone's more focused on impressing everyone else and talking rather than focusing 100% on the job at hand.

There was a skinny little high school kid in the Gym I go to a few weeks ago before school started and I saw him get 135 up for his first time. I'm sure he was impressed, I was happy for him. Been there.

**Brett N** · 09-24-2013, 06:31 PM

I am impressed by anyone who overcomes something today that they couldn't do yesterday.

I can't bench 225 today, but I will! I will be proud and I will do it in my garage without anyone watching. Screw everyone else, I do it for myself.

**ppwc1985** · 09-24-2013, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Brett N

I am impressed by anyone who overcomes something today that they couldn't do yesterday. I can't bench 225 today, but I will! I will be proud and I will do it in my garage without anyone watching. Screw everyone else, I do it for myself.

^^^^ first statement

**Kurthero** · 09-24-2013, 10:42 PM

if its a goal to you, longor short that you broke then it should be impressive to you. any improvement is impressive.

-kurt

**FONZY007** · 09-24-2013, 10:53 PM

Impressive, but as I get older 2 shoulder surgeries to me not worth going to heavy.. My heaviest was 465 lbs. for 3 reps.. But now I barely do flat bench with the Olympic bar and weights. I use DB.. I'm happy at 315 as it doesn't hurt my joints as much. I go for the burn and the pump

**krugerr** · 09-25-2013, 04:37 AM

225lbs is impressive the first time you get it. We work in KG here, and thats 100kg, its the usual milestone for people. My current working sets are between 120kg-130kg (269-291lbs) depending how I feel.

I remember first training and having to warm up with the bar, and working sets were 50kg (112lbs) !! How far we progress.

**wmaousley** · 09-25-2013, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by BR0DIE

In my gym very few people do 225+ would you say it was impressive? I'm always happy for someone when they break 225, its like a milestone where they are ahead of 99% of the population.

The amount doesnt matter as long as your continually climbing up in weight and making solid gains. When I am in the gym, I am in no competition with anyone on how much I can lift. I just want to get big.

**Gaspaco** · 09-25-2013, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by wmaousley

The amount doesnt matter as long as your continually climbing up in weight and making solid gains. When I am in the gym, I am in no competition with anyone on how much I can lift. I just want to get big.

Agree here!

If I could still grow with empty bar, I would use any plates!

**FONZY007** · 09-25-2013, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by wmaousley

The amount doesnt matter as long as your continually climbing up in weight and making solid gains. When I am in the gym, I am in no competition with anyone on how much I can lift. I just want to get big.

Well said!!

**Zodiac85** · 09-27-2013, 11:26 AM

I don't think you should even ask yourself if something is impressive to other people. You are just setting yourself up for failure. There will always be someone that says: "That sucks I saw a guy in HS bench (insert 50lbs over state HS record here), and he was all natural!" You will always suck compared to a One-Upper's memories. I wouldn't even ask.

This chart is by no means perfect, but this will give you an idea where you stand.

Bench Press Standards

**bigsiv** · 09-27-2013, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Zodiac85

I don't think you should even ask yourself if something is impressive to other people. You are just setting yourself up for failure. There will always be someone that says: "That sucks I saw a guy in HS bench (insert 50lbs over state HS record here), and he was all natural!" You will always suck compared to a One-Upper's memories. I wouldn't even ask. This chart is by no means perfect, but this will give you an idea where you stand. Bench Press Standards

good chart to reference where your at

**Cuz** · 09-27-2013, 05:37 PM

A 200lb weight lifter than can bench 400 lbs is much more "elite" than a 320+lbs lifter that can only bench 425. Wouldn't you agree? I assume 370lbs would be "elite" for a 210lb lifter hence 220lbs is 380lbs. Im closing in.

**redz** · 09-27-2013, 06:04 PM

Yeah I did the 345x8 the same day I did 390x2 but I hurt my wrist and failed an attempt at 405. I was sure I was going to hit it but my wrist didn't agree. I was also 255lbs at that time. Been sitting at 230 more recently.

**BIGTIMEPUSH** · 09-27-2013, 08:28 PM

Any time a goal is met its a great thing. Celebrate the hard work and dedication it took to get there and make a new goal!!

**Zodiac85** · 09-27-2013, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by chadcuz1985

A 200lb weight lifter than can bench 400 lbs is much more "elite" than a 320+lbs lifter that can only bench 425. Wouldn't you agree? I assume 370lbs would be "elite" for a 210lb lifter hence 220lbs is 380lbs. Im closing in.

Absolutely. I just feel like its a better gauge than asking someone and then hearing that they bench 800 lbs or that their buddy benches 2000+. Impartial, but imperfect. Clearly some lifters accomplish far above the "elite" level on the chart. But that doesn't mean that it's not a good accomplishment when you hit elite, or even advanced (I felt good when I hit intermediate the first time), depending on where you started.

**jg42058p** · 09-27-2013, 08:56 PM

Impressing others and having the mindset that you need to impress others in the gym by how much you bench press is foolish. You will psyche yourself out into doing more than you are strong enough to do to impress onlookers by making a grandstand, and in the end you may end up hurting yourself.

What do you care what others think? Impress yourself by your own standards that you create.

**Anonymous-polack** · 09-29-2013, 12:32 AM

DId My two plates recently pretty happy with it hope to max it ou to 12 rep !!

**Cuz** · 09-29-2013, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by jg42058p

Impressing others and having the mindset that you need to impress others in the gym by how much you bench press is foolish. You will psyche yourself out into doing more than you are strong enough to do to impress onlookers by making a grandstand, and in the end you may end up hurting yourself.

What do you care what others think? Impress yourself by your own standards that you create.

I agree, but I do chase my goals. I would never call out in the Gym ..."hey, im about to attempt 405 on incline everybody"!!! lol

**starscream** · 09-30-2013, 12:03 PM

See I'm envious of a lot of you guys.. haha 225 is warm up weight for me easily hit 20 reps.. but I also weigh 250 and have around 25% bf. I'd be willing to trade 20lbs off of the bar to be under 10% bf haha

I'm actually more concerned about how much I LOOK like I can bench as opposed to what I can actually put up.

**gbrice75** · 09-30-2013, 12:35 PM

I was thrilled the first time I got 225lbs .... I was so close for so long. I retrospect, it was mental more than anything else. Something about the 2 big plates... even though only 20lbs heavier than what I was working with at the time for reps, seemed way heavier.

Nowadays, 225lbs is a warmup for me. I had my sights set on 315 for a long time and broke that as well. However, I work consistently in the 245-275lb range for reps.

**bartman314** · 10-02-2013, 06:27 PM

each pb makes for a wonderful day.

after ~25 years of working out, i hit a max rep pb at 225 of 22 at age 50. good things come to those who wait - and train/diet their ass off.

i'm at genetic limit these days (age constrained as well), and have joined this forum to develop some new tools/tricks to keep the pb's coming.

**Cuz** · 10-03-2013, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by starscream

See I'm envious of a lot of you guys.. haha 225 is warm up weight for me easily hit 20 reps.. but I also weigh 250 and have around 25% bf. I'd be willing to trade 20lbs off of the bar to be under 10% bf haha

I'm actually more concerned about how much I LOOK like I can bench as opposed to what I can actually put up.

easily hit 20 reps? im not buying you rep 225 "easily" unless you are repping it over 30+ times. It takes me all ive got to get to 20 and then I gotta dig even deeper until absolute failure to get more. but im not 250 im 212lbs with a long range of motion. So if youre a shorter guy I guess its possible.

**Xaxist** · 10-03-2013, 06:48 PM

Let's face it, we guys are all competitive (or else we wouldn't do what we do), so I don't buy into these politically correct "it doesn't matter what other guys think, yadda, yadda." At least this is true for you younger studs; you KNOW you like to be strong and have people notice.

As for old bastards like myself, I topped out before I hit 405 (DAMMIT! - and yes it mattered to me back then) but I could care less now. I don't go heavy on straight bar anymore, I focus more on dumbells.

**rotty2** · 10-05-2013, 01:06 PM

I got 225 when I was 15, just saying... But if you never trained before and your a normal sized male and you can get 225 that's not bad

**dreadnok89** · 10-07-2013, 08:02 AM

My max is 405 now. I did 225 for 32. Steven Paeia of the Chicago bears did it 52 times

**Times Roman** · 10-07-2013, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by BR0DIE

In my gym very few people do 225+ would you say it was impressive? I'm always happy for someone when they break 225, its like a milestone where they are ahead of 99% of the population.

i guess it depends on how many times you can rep it. I never try to rep over 15 with any weight. but if i saw someone rep it like 40 or 50 times, I think that would be impressive.

but again, i don't think many really try to max out their reps at a lower weight

**dreadnok89** · 10-07-2013, 09:42 AM

I been focusing on repping 275 for a lot of sets. Its a descent weight to get strong from

**programdude** · 11-01-2013, 11:55 PM

To most people yes.
To me no, at 16 140 I did 270 1RM

**powerlifterty16** · 11-02-2013, 10:39 PM

225 is an impressive bench imo. it is well above average, and you would be one of the stronger natural guys in the gym. I worked bery hard to bench 225(started out not being able to bench the bar for 1)...and now i can hit 315 on bench or more.

anyone who says 225 isn't impressive for bench, has lost sight of what average and strong is.

now im not going to pretend it's a great bench..but it is impressive in the sense that most people wont ever touch that weight imo.

**powerlifterty16** · 11-02-2013, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by rotty2

I got 225 when I was 15, just saying... But if you never trained before and your a normal sized male and you can get 225 that's not bad

im sure you did.....

**powerlifterty16** · 11-02-2013, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by gbrice75

I was thrilled the first time I got 225lbs .... I was so close for so long. I retrospect, it was mental more than anything else. Something about the 2 big plates... even though only 20lbs heavier than what I was working with at the time for reps, seemed way heavier.

Nowadays, 225lbs is a warmup for me. I had my sights set on 315 for a long time and broke that as well. However, I work consistently in the 245-275lb range for reps.

lol when i was benching around 160-180 i took a pic of me unracking 225 and posted it on fb and said it was 280 LOL.

**skindiesel** · 11-16-2013, 02:36 PM

U know what impresses me freakish looking muscle. But I have to admit 225 and 315 where on my radar for awhile which I accomplished naturally at 200 lbs I wonder what would happen if I get some gear?

**Megadeth** · 11-20-2013, 12:16 AM

There's something to be said about conquering 225. Huge milestone for sure. Only a handful of guys at my gym really tackle it for sets. Took me a long time when I was younger. Working on the 315 milestone now. 10 lbs to go.

**Megadeth** · 11-20-2013, 12:19 AM

Nice job on that, skindiesel. I've also never touched any gear and it's a hell of a mission trying to break those numbers. Impressive numbers for sure. Right on, brother.

**Mellow** · 11-24-2013, 08:58 AM

If just for one rep, that doesn't impress me at all. but for reps, none the less it isnt bad.

**The Dirty South** · 11-24-2013, 09:40 AM

Obviously will depend on size of the person benching the 225. If you have over a year of training under your belt there is no reason you shouldn't be able too for at least a couple of reps. If you have a couple of years under your belt then you should be able to do 225x10+ . 315x8+ is impressive to me as long as your under 240lbs.