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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: bigmc on March 06, 2015, 01:58:38 PM

Title: Bench press advice
Post by: bigmc on March 06, 2015, 01:58:38 PM
over the last few year ive never gone heavy on bench

i usually go up to 315 and do 6 to 8 reps

kid in the gym the other night about my size was benching 4 plates

whch i know it shouldnt but fired my competitive side

what increments should i increase 315 for on my working sets

im thinking add ten pounds a side and keep going till i can get six at least then add another ten

any good benchers got advice
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: wikkedonez on March 06, 2015, 02:05:34 PM
I know it may sound gay but when I was struggling
I would wrap a resistance band on one side loop under
the bench and hook on the other side. Keeps constant tension
on the bar...I used the 30 lb one
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Mawse on March 06, 2015, 02:09:19 PM
Up the dose
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Army of One on March 06, 2015, 02:19:07 PM
Set the delorean to 88 and get your father to fuck a female powerlifter at the school dance
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Mr Anabolic on March 06, 2015, 02:26:35 PM
over the last few year ive never gone heavy on bench

i usually go up to 315 and do 6 to 8 reps

kid in the gym the other night about my size was benching 4 plates

whch i know it shouldnt but fired my competitive side

what increments should i increase 315 for on my working sets

im thinking add ten pounds a side and keep going till i can get six at least then add another ten

any good benchers got advice

Know your place as an elder lifter... trying to complete with younglings can get you hurt bad.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: bigmc on March 06, 2015, 02:27:09 PM
Set the delorean to 88 and get your father to fuck a female powerlifter at the school dance

Tried that harder than it looks

He ended up playing Johnny b good instead
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: _aj_ on March 06, 2015, 02:35:24 PM
I see a torn pec in your future.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: oldtimer1 on March 06, 2015, 02:35:40 PM
You want bench advice? Don't bench at all when you lift. It will eventually wreck your shoulders or elbows. It will decrease flexibility in the shoulder joint leading to tears. If your one of the few guys to hit your 50's after decades of heavy benching healthy congratulations for being in a small club.

Use dumbbells. Many big bench press guys say they can't find heavy enough dumbbells but they use half to 3/4 presses. Go all the way down letting your hand supinate somewhat. Another great exercise that protects the shoulders better than the flat bench is the decline bench.

Off my soap box.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Coach is Back! on March 06, 2015, 02:42:07 PM
1. Establish your 1RM.

2. Keep reps between 5-1 or 3-1

3. Recovery between sets 2-4min

4. Supplemental lifts should reinforce the main lift

5. Break a record each week by 10-20lbs.

6. Don't do bodybuilding-type half reps, there useless. Full ROM.

7. Vary your lifts.

That's it in a nutshell.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Army of One on March 06, 2015, 02:46:23 PM
You want bench advice? Don't bench at all when you lift. It will eventually wreck your shoulders or elbows. It will decrease flexibility in the shoulder joint leading to tears. If your one of the few guys to hit your 50's after decades of heavy benching healthy congratulations for being in a small club.

Use dumbbells. Many big bench press guys say they can't find heavy enough dumbbells but they use half to 3/4 presses. Go all the way down letting your hand supinate somewhat. Another great exercise that protects the shoulders better than the flat bench is the decline bench.

Off my soap box.

I don't do flat bench, hurts too much, stick to incline
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: The True Adonis on March 06, 2015, 02:48:31 PM
over the last few year ive never gone heavy on bench

i usually go up to 315 and do 6 to 8 reps

kid in the gym the other night about my size was benching 4 plates

whch i know it shouldnt but fired my competitive side

what increments should i increase 315 for on my working sets

im thinking add ten pounds a side and keep going till i can get six at least then add another ten

any good benchers got advice
Not gonna happen.  He has different connective tissue than you do.  Just do the best with what you have and be as strong as you can be.  Comparing yourself to someone else is stupid.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Royalty on March 06, 2015, 02:58:16 PM
Not gonna happen.  He has different connective tissue than you do.  Just do the best with what you have and be as strong as you can be.  Comparing yourself to someone else is stupid.

I agree

Not everybody has the same arm length... and some people have better leverage on certain lifts. Flat Bench press & regular squats demonstrate this fact. Plus the other guy might have a big rib cage; therefore shortening his range of motion on bench press.

Another fact; you can have bigger pecs & triceps than a person than can out-bench you.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Coach is Back! on March 06, 2015, 03:03:39 PM
Not gonna happen.  He has different connective tissue than you do.  Just do the best with what you have and be as strong as you can be.  Comparing yourself to someone else is stupid.

How you know he can't? How do you his "connective tissue" isn't stronger than the other guys. You said one time (not that long ago) that you were stronger than me. I'm sure I'm about 15-20 years older than you.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Royalty on March 06, 2015, 03:07:04 PM
How you know he can't? How do you his "connective tissue" isn't stronger than the other guys. You said one time (not that long ago) that you were stronger than me. I'm sure I'm about 15-20 years older than you.


I know that your post wasn't directed towards me

But...

I think that some guys, genetically, have very strong rotator cuff muscles.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Coach is Back! on March 06, 2015, 04:34:49 PM

I know that your post wasn't directed towards me

But...

I think that some guys, genetically, have very strong rotator cuff muscles.

No, it was directed to TA. Sorry
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Royalty on March 06, 2015, 04:46:26 PM
No, it was directed to TA. Sorry

Coach how is your new cable crossover unit?
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Walter Sobchak on March 06, 2015, 04:49:33 PM
over the last few year ive never gone heavy on bench

i usually go up to 315 and do 6 to 8 reps

kid in the gym the other night about my size was benching 4 plates

whch i know it shouldnt but fired my competitive side

what increments should i increase 315 for on my working sets

im thinking add ten pounds a side and keep going till i can get six at least then add another ten

any good benchers got advice

Not a believable fable
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Coach is Back! on March 06, 2015, 04:50:32 PM
Coach how is your new cable crossover unit?

Fun, haven't trained on a machine in forever.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: visualizeperfection on March 06, 2015, 04:58:38 PM
Have you considered working on your upright row 1 rep max? It is a much more prestigious lift IMHO.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Royalty on March 06, 2015, 04:59:07 PM
Fun, haven't trained on a machine in forever.

Your joints will probably be loving the cable unit. Even if it you use it primarily for warm-ups and a few extra sets to complete your normal free-weight routine.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: MAXX on March 06, 2015, 05:02:38 PM
Idk I stagnated too so I got tired of it.  Figure I'm close to my natural genetic potential there and that's why. I Think if I want to rep out at 400+ I have to do roids anyways so fuck it

so right now I only do alot of inclines because my lower pecs is more developed and I want brick pecs not droppy.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: The Showstoppa on March 06, 2015, 05:04:43 PM
Clearly that young guy plays American football.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: bigmc on March 07, 2015, 12:19:56 AM
You want bench advice? Don't bench at all when you lift. It will eventually wreck your shoulders or elbows. It will decrease flexibility in the shoulder joint leading to tears. If your one of the few guys to hit your 50's after decades of heavy benching healthy congratulations for being in a small club.

Use dumbbells. Many big bench press guys say they can't find heavy enough dumbbells but they use half to 3/4 presses. Go all the way down letting your hand supinate somewhat. Another great exercise that protects the shoulders better than the flat bench is the decline bench.

Off my soap box.

this got me thinking you are probably right

ive always favoured dumbells but fancied a change

so started benching a while back

i think il switch back
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Automation on March 07, 2015, 12:33:38 AM
It's an ego lift for the young. I used to hammer it, now I'm older and wiser. Stick to the dumbells.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Powerlift66 on March 07, 2015, 03:19:23 AM
Not gonna happen.  He has different connective tissue than you do.  Just do the best with what you have and be as strong as you can be.  Comparing yourself to someone else is stupid.

Exactly... Some people don't realize tendon strength has tons to do with it. Even if you're bigger, have bigger muscles, etc,
many small twinks have crazy tendon strength and can outlift people much bigger than them... Genetic...
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: CalvinH on March 07, 2015, 06:48:05 AM
Clearly that young guy plays American football.



 ;D
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: mesmorph78 on March 07, 2015, 07:14:02 AM
You want bench advice? Don't bench at all when you lift. It will eventually wreck your shoulders or elbows. It will decrease flexibility in the shoulder joint leading to tears. If your one of the few guys to hit your 50's after decades of heavy benching healthy congratulations for being in a small club.

Use dumbbells. Many big bench press guys say they can't find heavy enough dumbbells but they use half to 3/4 presses. Go all the way down letting your hand supinate somewhat. Another great exercise that protects the shoulders better than the flat bench is the decline bench.

Off my soap box.

Essentially this...
Will wreck your shoulders..

Also worry about what you press I'm never concerned with what anyone else does.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: SuperTed on March 07, 2015, 07:50:11 AM
Not gonna happen.  He has different connective tissue than you do.  Just do the best with what you have and be as strong as you can be.  Comparing yourself to someone else is stupid.

This. You may end up injuring yourself if you get too competitive with this guy. Not worth it.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Erik C on March 07, 2015, 10:23:00 AM
Not gonna happen.  He has different connective tissue than you do.

WTF? What is he, another species?

Some say not to bench, as you'll get hurt. You can say that about lifting in general. If you believe that, then why lift at all? People get hurt doing things incorrectly. Too much, too often, to failure, not enough rest and recovery time, bad nutrition, all can get you hurt doing any lifts, especially big lifts.

Pat Casey, first man to bench over 600lbs. raw, favored dumbbell training, to get the strength, to do bench press with a barbell. The advantage there is that dumbbell training overcomes the bi-lateral strength deficit, that comes from side and hand dominance, that can hold you back on two handed lifts, where the dominant side and hand does most of the lift, and the weak side doesn't get enough work, and therefore lags behind in developing strength, ultimately weakening your lifting ability, and leading to a plateau that you won't get above.

Mike MacDonald used a chambered bar (AKA MacDonald Bar), in practice for the bench press, as it increased his ROM strength in the lower part of the lift. Again doing ancillary lifts, to get the strength to do the bench press.

Vince Gironda was the second, or third man (depending on who's keeping score) to officially lift over 500lbs. (on a butcher block bench, without padding, that he had made for his gym). His favorite exercise, to build strength for the bench press, was to bring the bar down to the neck, not the chest. Naturally you need good spotters, or a rack, cage for safety.

The point is that, if you want to train for a big bench press, then you have to do more than practice bench presses, to get there.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Mawse on March 07, 2015, 11:14:34 AM
In after horrible advice

Maybe only people who have actually benched 405 should be allowed to comment
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Coach is Back! on March 07, 2015, 12:48:42 PM
In after horrible advice

Maybe only people who have actually benched 405 should be allowed to comment

This and the post before it ^^^^^
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: T-REX007 on March 07, 2015, 03:37:24 PM
I think you need to do work on what you are not good at, pick auxiliary lifts that mimic the bench and get good at them - floor presses, dumbell presses, boards, cambered bar, weighted dips, dead presses ..... when I first cracked 405 on the bench I did everything but bench presses - see above mentioned

I still think the most important overall factor in being a big bencher is having strong tri's

Like coach said, keep reps in the 1-5 range, have longer rest periods between sets and mix things up

Good luck friend
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: bigbadwolfe on March 07, 2015, 06:27:33 PM
I think you need to do work on what you are not good at, pick auxiliary lifts that mimic the bench and get good at them - floor presses, dumbell presses, boards, cambered bar, weighted dips, dead presses ..... when I first cracked 405 on the bench I did everything but bench presses - see above mentioned

I still think the most important overall factor in being a big bencher is having strong tri's

Like coach said, keep reps in the 1-5 range, have longer rest periods between sets and mix things up

Good luck friend

This..............!!!! Strong tris = a HUGE bench press, also train upper back / rear delts and traps like crazy. You have to have a foundation to bench off of.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: _aj_ on March 07, 2015, 06:46:54 PM
This..............!!!! Strong tris = a HUGE bench press, also train upper back / rear delts and traps like crazy. You have to have a foundation to bench off of.

OK then...build your traps to get a big bench. I've heard it all now.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: Coach is Back! on March 07, 2015, 07:21:57 PM
OK then...build your traps to get a big bench. I've heard it all now.

He's absolutely correct. Rhomboids, Traps are stabilizers to a big bench
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: LittleJ on March 07, 2015, 07:45:25 PM
I've never benched anywhere near 315. My shoulders and traps are really weak.
Title: Re: Bench press advice
Post by: CT_Muscle on March 07, 2015, 07:51:31 PM
Not sure if anyone said this yet but........learn one exercise for each (4) rotator cuff to strengthen each of them.......