So I benched 535 when I was young but when asked now I say I have no idea..because I don't...or I say 135. Now if they ask how much is the most u have benched I'll tell them. What u did in the past has nothing to do with what u do now. So I do believe strength is often exaggerated
535 is incredible.
I remember one thread from around 2017 where the question of max bench came up. I said 345. Someone [I can't remember who] called me out for that not being a recent bench at the time.
He was right.
The other thing is - even when I did bench 345 [prior to getting there again recently], I only benched it once.
Realistically, I was somewhere within the 325-345 range.
Now if someone asks, I also use your approach - I tell them my max lifetime bench, then my max recent bench.
Let's just say...currently, "350" is an acceptable answer in that: I can likely get that every single workout. I wouldn't want to say 365, in case I have an off-day. But I can consistently do 350.
Or I may give a range.
People lie SOOO much though.
I can sort of understand why Eric Kanevsky verifies these things...
