Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Scimowser on May 09, 2006, 09:33:59 AM
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
How do you KNOW that Arnold even benched 500?
-
I tell yas, I was training with Lou Ferrigno the other day
I start loading the bar, I said "Lou, how much ?"
He said, "This one's on me"
-
OK, ive read many claims by his associates that he could bench 500 unassisted. Is that any better smart arse?
-
How do you KNOW that Arnold even benched 500?
He reads magazines.
-
Arnold couldnt bench 500lb assisted. He was asked at some point earky in his career and his answer was 380lbs. Theres no way he added 120 lbs to that total while keeping his bw the same (it even dipped after 1971). Factor in that 500lbs is clearly chosen to sound impressive (its not like he maxed out at EXACTLY 500lbs) and that columbos max was 520lb (who was notoriously strong) and with much shorter limbs and greater leverage advantages, theres no way arnold benched 500lbs, just like he never calf raised with a 1000lbs. LOL.
As for ferrigno, who knows. I heard he claimed an 800lb deadlift which i find a tad optimistic considering his stature.
-
He reads magazines.
Flex in particular, paying special attention to articles penned by Shawn Perine of ironage fame
-
Arnold couldnt bench 500lb assisted. He was asked at some point earky in his career and his answer was 380lbs. Theres no way he added 120 lbs to that total while keeping his bw the same (it even dipped after 1971). Factor in that 500lbs is clearly chosen to sound impressive (its not like he maxed out at EXACTLY 500lbs) and that columbos max was 520lb (who was notoriously strong) and with much shorter limbs and greater leverage advantages, theres no way arnold benched 500lbs, just like he never calf raised with a 1000lbs. LOL.
As for ferrigno, who knows. I heard he claimed an 800lb deadlift which i find a tad optimistic considering his stature.
I read about Arnold's chest/back superset in flex and he whent up to 405 x 6 supersetted with chins.. so it is quite possible that he did bench that much.
Also about calves.. I can do 700 pounds for a couple reps and I am a natural..
-
I read about Arnold's chest/back superset in flex and he whent up to 405 x 6 supersetted with chins.. so it is quite possible that he did bench that much.
Also about calves.. I can do 700 pounds for a couple reps and I am a natural..
dont worry about that mate, you have only just begun to tap into your super human potential. Remember, when all else is aid and done youre still ALEXXX!!!
-
Those numbers are probably inflated around 20%.
-
Arnold at his peak ('73-'74) was repping a 455lb. bench for 4-7 reps. You have to remember that prior to his coming to America, he did compete in some powerlifting meets in Europe. His max bench was over 500 lbs.
-
Lou wrote in M&F in the early 80's that he could bench somewhere in the mid-400's. He said that with specialized training in the bench he thought he could break 500.
-
O man the haters are out in full force
Arnold could bench 380 at his strongest ::)
lol
I have moderate strength (nothing out of the ordinary) and can toss 325 up for a few. I weigh 211. How is it so hard to believe a guy with pecs that literally rose like bread loafs off his body could not bench 500lbs. The dude was strong and big. Stop the hate. Go to any powerlifting meet and you will see dudes alot smaller than Arnold doing around that weight
-
O man the haters are out in full force
Arnold could bench 380 at his strongest ::)
lol
I have moderate strength (nothing out of the ordinary) and can toss 325 up for a few. I weigh 211. How is it so hard to believe a guy with pecs that literally rose like bread loafs off his body could not bench 500lbs. The dude was strong and big. Stop the hate. Go to any powerlifting meet and you will see dudes alot smaller than Arnold doing around that weight
I can relate & have to agree. It's not hard to imagine that Lou or Arnold could press some heavy weight but two factors.....
(1) they are body builders not powerlifters
(2) they have long limbs.
So maybe they could....maybe they couldn't....but honestly....I could care a less either way.
-
Arnold was probably talking about 1000 lb calf raises on the donkey calf machine, Not a standing calf raise.
1000 on donkeys is not extraordinary so that's very believable.
-
Lou wrote in M&F in the early 80's that he could bench somewhere in the mid-400's. He said that with specialized training in the bench he thought he could break 500.
Great, so the Incredible Hulk *might* have been as strong as Heather Darling and Becca Swanson.
-
Well when I started out I was a powerlifter and my body is well suited to using a large amount of weight. At my heaviest weight of 212 I worked out with 365 for sets of 6. At that point I never went less than 5 reps. But I benched over 300 pounds at a body weight of under 150 when I was younger. If you go to a powerlifting meet you will see very small looking guys press 500+pounds. So I do not doubt that Arnold could have pressed 500 pounds for a rep or two. I once saw a bodybuilder working out with 415 on an incline bench, and he wasnt near Arnolds size, and as a matter of fact he wasnt even a very competitive bodybuilder.
Hayabusa
-
arnold benched 525 max,this was from a guy who trained with arnold in the 70,s.arnold used to cheat curl 300lbs for reps also from what the same guy said
-
O man the haters are out in full force
Arnold could bench 380 at his strongest ::)
lol
I have moderate strength (nothing out of the ordinary) and can toss 325 up for a few. I weigh 211. How is it so hard to believe a guy with pecs that literally rose like bread loafs off his body could not bench 500lbs. The dude was strong and big. Stop the hate. Go to any powerlifting meet and you will see dudes alot smaller than Arnold doing around that weight
Why dont you learn how to read your twit. I never said at his strongest he could bench 380lbs, i said at one point in his career when asked he replied that he maxed out at 380lbs. Franco when asked the same question minutes later replied wolfishly "381 lbs".
The point that escaped your child like perception was that to go from 380lbs to 500lbs is quite a leap in strength especially when it wasnt accompanied by a concomitant increase in size.
-
Drop dead 8)
-
arnold benched 525 max,this was from a guy who trained with arnold in the 70,s.arnold used to cheat curl 300lbs for reps also from what the same guy said
Who was this guy that trained with arnold then?
Cheat curl 300lbs for reps. No.
At an exhibition for reg park in south africa, he did 275 lbs for 5 reps.
As for his form, a pictures worth a thousand words.
[img]
-
I stand corrected. 300lbs is definetly not true. Closer to 400lbs if you believe every thing you see. Hah
[img]
-
lol is that last pic froma magazine?
i THINK hes using the same weights as dolph lungren in rocky 4.
-
Who was this guy that trained with arnold then?
Cheat curl 300lbs for reps. No.
At an exhibition for reg park in south africa, he did 275 lbs for 5 reps.
As for his form, a pictures worth a thousand words.
[img]
[/quote
bill grant
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
Arnold never benched 500. Never came close. He said it in many of his books.
-
I wouldn't be surprised if Arnold could bench 5 plates, but I have never seen any pictures of it.
-
Who was this guy that trained with arnold then?
Cheat curl 300lbs for reps. No.
At an exhibition for reg park in south africa, he did 275 lbs for 5 reps.
As for his form, a pictures worth a thousand words.
[img]
[/quote
bill grant
That last pic is real. What you don't notice is how Kenny Waller is helping Arnold with mind control. Kind of like Uncle Martin did in My Favorite Martian
-
Arnold couldnt bench 500lb assisted. He was asked at some point earky in his career and his answer was 380lbs. Theres no way he added 120 lbs to that total while keeping his bw the same (it even dipped after 1971). Factor in that 500lbs is clearly chosen to sound impressive (its not like he maxed out at EXACTLY 500lbs) and that columbos max was 520lb (who was notoriously strong) and with much shorter limbs and greater leverage advantages, theres no way arnold benched 500lbs, just like he never calf raised with a 1000lbs. LOL.
As for ferrigno, who knows. I heard he claimed an 800lb deadlift which i find a tad optimistic considering his stature.
Arnold never benched 500. Never came close. He said it in many of his books. In education of a bodybuilder he said he benched 460. Also Franco is full of shit. He never benched 520. In his book Winning Bodybuilding he said his max bench was 485. He was in his late 30's when that book came out so I seriously doubt he benched 520 after the book.
-
bill grant said casey viator was probably the strongest bodybuilder back in that era,he said no one could hang with casey strength wise
-
Arnold never benched 500. Never came close. He said it in many of his books. In education of a bodybuilder he said he benched 460. Also Franco is full of shit. He never benched 520. In his book Winning Bodybuilding he said his max bench was 485. He was in his late 30's when that book came out so I seriously doubt he benched 520 after the book.
Sounds like an Ironage hater ::)
-
I wouldn't be surprised if Arnold could bench 5 plates, but I have never seen any pictures of it.
He never did..as for Lou he did like 4 or 5 reps "without help" late 70's...
there's video of it!!!
-
How do you KNOW that Arnold even benched 500?
Arnold told Johnny Carson that his max bench press was 500lbs.
-
well considering that many many guys from 1-5 years training can do weights of 260-300 for reps and sets- with those slightly gifted able to move 330 for reps/sets....i am inclined to think that 450+ is well within the realms of capability for arnold.
and also the 1000 for raises too. for those who cant believe the raises claim- you havent been doing your raises hard enough. the thing with them is relatively light weights and high reps burn them out...but they can do massive amounts of weight for low reps..been there, done that, seen that and so on.
even can be done on the leg press as a donkey.
-
He never did..as for Lou he did like 4 or 5 reps "without help" late 70's...
there's video of it!!!
What do you mean by "without help"?
-
Gee, do you ppl. realise that your quoting from a bio that wasn't even an authorized one.Wendy Leigh or whatever wrote it & could basically "twist" what she felt concerning areas of his life.
Also, I feel that Arnie (competitive weightlifter before bb'ing) could have did 500 lbs. on the bench press.Did he do that continually?No, IMO.A man that was able to curl 250-300 lbs. yet in his training used 1/2 that weight.Remember folks, it's bb'ing, not body breaking!
-
Gee, do you ppl. realise that your quoting from a bio that wasn't even an authorized one.Wendy Leigh or whatever wrote it & could basically "twist" what she felt concerning areas of his life.
Also, I feel that Arnie (competitive weightlifter before bb'ing) could have did 500 lbs. on the bench press.Did he do that continually?No, IMO.A man that was able to curl 250-300 lbs. yet in his training used 1/2 that weight.Remember folks, it's bb'ing, not body breaking!
He is referring to Arnolds AUTOBIOGRAPHY. I read the same thing. Arnold did not do 500.
I do know for a fact that when Arnold trained with Ric Draisin, Arnold was struggling with 405 for low low reps.
-
Arnold never benched 500. Never came close. He said it in many of his books. In education of a bodybuilder he said he benched 460. Also Franco is full of shit. He never benched 520. In his book Winning Bodybuilding he said his max bench was 485. He was in his late 30's when that book came out so I seriously doubt he benched 520 after the book.
yeah, back in those days 495 for reps was unheard of... they just didn't use enough gear
-
What do you mean by "without help"?
unassisted
-
Arnold at his peak ('73-'74) was repping a 455lb. bench for 4-7 reps. You have to remember that prior to his coming to America, he did compete in some powerlifting meets in Europe. His max bench was over 500 lbs.
bullshit.
-
I stand corrected. 300lbs is definetly not true. Closer to 400lbs if you believe every thing you see. Hah
[img]
that pic is outstanding ;D
-
Arnold told Johnny Carson that his max bench press was 500lbs.
i remember him saying the same thing on David Letterman, he's lying his ass off.
-
It's funny that people refuse to believe someone with that great of a physique (especially his chest) could lift that much. I realize that it is hard to believe someone from a powerlifting background can bench a lot but come on. Just because Ronnie only did 5 reps in his video, as did Levrone, does not mean that Arnold couldn't do it once.
with Robby Robinson and Franco upright rowing 90lbs...............err, i mean "spotting" apiece, maybe.
-
with Robby Robinson and Franco upright rowing 90lbs...............err, i mean "spotting" apiece, maybe.
What was your max bench sarcasm?
-
What was your max bench sarcasm?
1,200 raw, 1,500 with a shirt. ;D
-
1,200 raw, 1,500 with a shirt. ;D
>:(
-
>:(
i know, i'm awesome ain't i? :o
-
i believe arnold did bench 500. i heard him say it in front of a class room of kids. it took him five attempts to do it. I've seen pics of Arnold doing like 450. that curl picture that looks like 600 pounds or something is totally fake. In his book education of a bodybuilder I read that in an exhibition he did like 275 for 3 reps. Arnold had MONSTER bicep strength. As far as Lou. It's possible he was that strong, the guy was huge. Most likely stronger than Arnold. I saw Levrone bench 405 for 12 reps in Battle for the Olympia like 2 weeks out. And in his ProBodybuildingWeekly interview he said he tore his chest trying to bench 600. Therefore I do believe Arnold and Ferigno strength claims.
-
a one-rep max of 5 plates seems perfectly reasonable for a guy with arnold's size.
certainly it was more than 380.
-
a one-rep max of 5 plates seems perfectly reasonable for a guy with arnold's size.
certainly it was more than 380.
~~~digging through DVDs... where did I stick that burn of Pumpin Iron...>~~~~~~
-
arnold doesn't bench press in pumping Iron.
-
Wasn't there a scene in pumping iron where arnold and franco are training chest at the famous 'cage' at venice beach?
I think franco was doing flat benches and arnold said something funny and franco just laid there laughing with 315 on him for about 5 seconds then banged out like 6 more reps...
Pretty sure arnold was benching too.
And I think lou was doing dumbell curls with 100's as well as presses with 275 for 10
-
The Lou presses was partial incilnes. Arnold spotting Franco was outdoors I believe.
-
I don't knooow about his bench, but I did see him on an episode of world's strongest man back in the 70's and was probably the strongest bodybuilder of his day. He was like in third place against some pretty stiff competition. I think one of the guys was Ken Patera. John Mutuzak was another(not sure about the spelling ???)
-
I don't knooow about his bench, but I did see him on an episode of world's strongest man back in the 70's and was probably the strongest bodybuilder of his day. He was like in third place against some pretty stiff competition. I think one of the guys was Ken Patera. John Mutuzak was another(not sure about the spelling ???)
Wasn't the tuz, but Big Lou did take 4th in the event. He won the steel bar bend, & car lift. I recall Bruce Wilhelm in 1st, Patera in 3rd, forgot the 2nd place guy..
-
watched pumping iron the first time the other day.
franco benches 315 for 10.
after hearing about his legendary strength i thought he would be a little stronger?
-
Maybe he didnt feel like doing alot of weight that particular day
-
but by the tenth rep he needed arnold to re rack the weight for him.
maybe he'd already done a chest exercise before or it was his third or fourth set on the flat bench.
-
but by the tenth rep he needed arnold to re rack the weight for him.
maybe he'd already done a chest exercise before or it was his third or fourth set on the flat bench.
He is just to short to do it himself!
-
YES! i remember. he was too short.
-
unassisted
Why the quotation marks?
-
Sounds like an Ironage hater ::)
What does stating facts have to do with "Iron Age hater" Sounds like with the thousands of posts you take so much pride in you have run out of things to say except for trollish comments.
-
Gee, do you ppl. realise that your quoting from a bio that wasn't even an authorized one.Wendy Leigh or whatever wrote it & could basically "twist" what she felt concerning areas of his life.
Also, I feel that Arnie (competitive weightlifter before bb'ing) could have did 500 lbs. on the bench press.Did he do that continually?No, IMO.A man that was able to curl 250-300 lbs. yet in his training used 1/2 that weight.Remember folks, it's bb'ing, not body breaking!
Nobody curls 250-300 pounds.
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
i train with lou from time to time, he can do 400 easily right now...he usually does 120-140db's for 8-10 reps, doesnt flat bech too often. Hes strong as shit..esp in the biceps. He does seated curls with 90-100's still
-
i train with lou from time to time, he can do 400 easily right now...he usually does 120-140db's for 8-10 reps, doesnt flat bech too often. Hes strong as shit..esp in the biceps. He does seated curls with 90-100's still
ok, "toolarge4u", hahahahaha, monster story telling. ::)
-
500 raw bench?
A 500lb. raw bench was rare in Powerlifting circles in the '70's, but Arnold could do it:)?
Also, no-one can strict curl body weight or above. All those heavy curls you read about are cheat curls/reverse grip power cleans.
-
ok, "toolarge4u", hahahahaha, monster story telling. ::)
if i prove it shall we wager 1000 on it? Plenty of pics of me an him training
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
I used to train in World Gym Santa Monica in the late 70's early 80's and I never seen Ferrigno bench more than three plates (315) x six to seven reps. And they were not easy.. So, go figure..
-
I don't know whether Arnold could bench 500, although I wouldn't doubt it. The guys pecs were fvcking gigantic and he had a serious powerlifting background. As far as 380, Please....I can bench 380 and I'm sure arnold in his prime was a lot stronger than I'll ever be.
-
Oh you mean like Lee Priest doing 310 for 3 reps?
I am talking legitimate weight used in a set of strict curls during a workout. Not just a show for the camera swinging the weight up with no practical benefit at all.
-
500 raw bench?
A 500lb. raw bench was rare in Powerlifting circles in the '70's, but Arnold could do it:)?
Also, no-one can strict curl body weight or above. All those heavy curls you read about are cheat curls/reverse grip power cleans.
Arnold never benched 500. He stated many times that he wasn't into crazy poundages. If anybody reads any of his books they will know he said himself he never benched more than 460 pounds. He admitted when he powerlifted he was mediocre. Thats why he switched over to pure bodybuilding.
-
Gee, do you ppl. realise that your quoting from a bio that wasn't even an authorized one.Wendy Leigh or whatever wrote it & could basically "twist" what she felt concerning areas of his life.
Also, I feel that Arnie (competitive weightlifter before bb'ing) could have did 500 lbs. on the bench press.Did he do that continually?No, IMO.A man that was able to curl 250-300 lbs. yet in his training used 1/2 that weight.Remember folks, it's bb'ing, not body breaking!
What don't you get? His bigraphy "Education of a Bodybuilder" was written by Arnold.
-
Arnold never benched 500. He stated many times that he wasn't into crazy poundages. If anybody reads any of his books they will know he said himself he never benched more than 460 pounds. He admitted when he powerlifted he was mediocre. Thats why he switched over to pure bodybuilding.
I know, it was a rhetorical question:).
-
if i prove it shall we wager 1000 on it? Plenty of pics of me an him training
AHAHAAHAHAH!!! What Sarcasm is sayin is that Lou's workout is nothin to brag about.....hell I perform the same movements with those same poundages week in and out.
-
AHAHAAHAHAH!!! What Sarcasm is sayin is that Lou's workout is nothin to brag about.....hell I perform the same movements with those same poundages week in and out.
no he aint, he said im story telling, as in im not telling the truth. Im sure you do, you're a super hero.
Lou dwarfs you cuntkabob
-
Well, I'm 225, 6'2, train natural and not particulary strong by any measure, but I've repped with 386 a few times. I don't train to bodybuild or powerlift, just to look fit and feel energetic. I'm sure Arnie with all his roids and experience can easily lift 500 or more. Hell, there's a guy in my gym that trains once a month when he feels like it and reps 480 with ease.
-
I read about Arnold's chest/back superset in flex and he whent up to 405 x 6 supersetted with chins.. so it is quite possible that he did bench that much.
Also about calves.. I can do 700 pounds for a couple reps and I am a natural..
Dude, that use to be my training bible..Arnolds ENcyclopedia to bodybuilding..lol.. I use to carry it around in high school and study it during study halls, and make workouts for the afternoon.
-
Dude, that use to be my training bible..Arnolds ENcyclopedia to bodybuilding..lol.. I use to carry it around in high school and study it during study halls, and make workouts for the afternoon.
hahaha yes me too! I used to look it over for hours on end. Finally a really cool friend gave me the encyclopedia just like that! I was blown away. :)
-
no he aint, he said im story telling, as in im not telling the truth. Im sure you do, you're a super hero.
Lou dwarfs you cuntkabob
Holy shit another queer noob.
-
Holy shit another queer noob.
oh boy im being judged by my post count...oh noes the internet is serious business. Shut it fagmuffin, put up or shut up
-
oh boy im being judged by my post count...oh noes the internet is serious business. Shut it fagmuffin, put up or shut up
He's definitely going to back down ;D
-
What does stating facts have to do with "Iron Age hater" Sounds like with the thousands of posts you take so much pride in you have run out of things to say except for trollish comments.
Most of my comments are positive ::)
-
Most of my comments are positive ::)
Lucius is mr. Positive!
-
Lucius is mr. Positive!
Yes sir, I am ;D
-
Why the quotation marks?
So you can ask and bump the thread back up.
-
So you can ask and bump the thread back up.
I guess it's working ;D
-
Well, I'm 225, 6'2, train natural and not particulary strong by any measure, but I've repped with 386 a few times. I don't train to bodybuild or powerlift, just to look fit and feel energetic. I'm sure Arnie with all his roids and experience can easily lift 500 or more. Hell, there's a guy in my gym that trains once a month when he feels like it and reps 480 with ease.
386? how did you come up with that odd number? Your not particularly strong but you can do almost 400 pounds for reps? Thats bullshit. A guy in your gym benches 480 for reps with ease but works out once a month? Do you think we are that gullible to believe that nonsense?
-
Lucius is mr. Positive!
Yes, unless he is making a negative comment.
-
In the summer of 88 he wanted to get his chest-back up to 60 inches ( i don't know If he ever did) but in the movie "The return of Hulk" same year with Thor..he look's so wide he look's like he was 5'9 tall"
-
386? how did you come up with that odd number? Your not particularly strong but you can do almost 400 pounds for reps? Thats bullshit. A guy in your gym benches 480 for reps with ease but works out once a month? Do you think we are that gullible to believe that nonsense?
Maybe he ain't an american so they don't use the avoirdupois (cq stupidious) system but the metric one?
-
ferrigno could bench press 545 pounds
-
Who cares about Lou and his glory days....today he is a discrace to his family name and should be ashamed at what he's done to his family...and his fans ie. like charging a little kid 20 bucks for his signature, which the kid didnt have so he said too bad, that's cold....
-
Lou was a very strong guy at his peak. I am not sure I believe 560 lbs, but it is within the realm of possibility in my mind for a touch and go press.
Chris
-
I believe that Lou could have pressed it back in his day. Someone mentioned that they doubt it because he was a BB not a powerlifter. Have we forgotten that he was a WSM competitior? With smaller guys (compared to Lou) like Chris Cormier and Kevin Leverone pushing 495 for reps 2 weeks out from the O, I would say a larger Lou could have at least pushed 560 once. To bad they didn't have youtube back then.
-
lou was stronger than arnold almost everywhere . . lou even better on the bench . but in fact thats bodybuilding not lifting . arnold never had the big ego for lifting heavy .
-
lou was stronger than arnold almost everywhere . . lou even better on the bech bur the oak was god on bench presses . got this huge chest from it . in part .
did you really feel need the bump a 5 year old thread with your opinion that no one could give a shit about?
-
Wasn't there a scene in pumping iron where arnold and franco are training chest at the famous 'cage' at venice beach?
I think franco was doing flat benches and arnold said something funny and franco just laid there laughing with 315 on him for about 5 seconds then banged out like 6 more reps...
Pretty sure arnold was benching too.
And I think lou was doing dumbell curls with 100's as well as presses with 275 for 10
Here is Arnold doing bench, but looks like with smith machine and without much weight.
-
How much is Arnold doing here? Looks like low to mid-300's. (6 X 45 and 2 X 35 plus bar)
(http://builtreport.com/schwarzenegger/arnold_bench_press/arnold_bench_press_001.jpg)
Wonder if this one of Serge is with fake weights or if he really was pressing 8 plates?
(http://tnation.t-nation.com/forum_images/7/1/716282.1123528860951.SergeBench.jpg)
-
O man the haters are out in full force
Arnold could bench 380 at his strongest ::)
lol
I have moderate strength (nothing out of the ordinary) and can toss 325 up for a few. I weigh 211. How is it so hard to believe a guy with pecs that literally rose like bread loafs off his body could not bench 500lbs. The dude was strong and big. Stop the hate. Go to any powerlifting meet and you will see dudes alot smaller than Arnold doing around that weight
Arnold was a powerlifter, early in his career. So, a 500-lb bench press isn't so far-fetched.
-
arnold off season was able to do a 500 bench, pre contest he couldnt and didnt need to. thats when most bodybuilders get injured anyway when they are trying doubles and singles when they are dieting down and carb depleted, its not a smart move at all
-
Arnold was 230 to 240 pounds which makes 500 over double bodyweight, which is elite. LOL @ guys claiming "there are shitloads of smaller guys doing that". The best bencher in the 200 pound class barely raw benches 500 today.
Also lol @ the logic "a guy his size must be able to lift that". Shit if I got a dollar anytime I outlifted someone bigger....
::)
-
Hahahaha some of these posts are just ridiculous. "Yeah I imagine he could do it, I weigh 212 pounds and I rep 390 pounds as a natural and I am really weak at benching, so im sure arnold could do it" ;D ;D ;D
-
it started with lou ferrigno bench claims and ending with the oak .
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
YEAH 23 INCH ARMS IS LESS THAN AVERAGE.
-
arnold off season was able to do a 500 bench, pre contest he couldnt and didnt need to. thats when most bodybuilders get injured anyway when they are trying doubles and singles when they are dieting down and carb depleted, its not a smart move at all
Arnold off-season was a shitload smaller than arnold on-season, so I can't see how that's correct. He does, however, claim 405lb for 8 reps in his encyclopedia.
-
I know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
Total horseshit. Even my old boss, Robert Kennedy, who was a friend of Arnie's and watched him train many a time when Mr. O was at his best, would tell you this claim is utter nonsense.
-
As for ferrigno, who knows. I heard he claimed an 800lb deadlift which i find a tad optimistic considering his stature.
Eight hundred?! ;D
-
Lou wrote in M&F in the early 80's that he could bench somewhere in the mid-400's. He said that with specialized training in the bench he thought he could break 500.
With proper strength training the man could have likely pressed a raw, say, 525-570-ish.
-
How is it so hard to believe a guy with pecs that literally rose like bread loafs off his body could not bench 500lbs. The dude was strong and big. Stop the hate. Go to any powerlifting meet and you will see dudes alot smaller than Arnold doing around that weight.
Just because the guy had huge pecs doesn't mean he was capable of benching 500 pounds, man. And using the comparison to smaller powerlifters is idiotic.
-
Well when I started out I was a powerlifter and my body is well suited to using a large amount of weight. At my heaviest weight of 212 I worked out with 365 for sets of 6. At that point I never went less than 5 reps. But I benched over 300 pounds at a body weight of under 150 when I was younger. If you go to a powerlifting meet you will see very small looking guys press 500+pounds. So I do not doubt that Arnold could have pressed 500 pounds for a rep or two. I once saw a bodybuilder working out with 415 on an incline bench, and he wasnt near Arnolds size, and as a matter of fact he wasnt even a very competitive bodybuilder.
Hayabusa
Anyone small benching 500 is a) gassed to the tits and a dwarf, b) using a shirt that puts hundreds of pounds onto the lift, c) using some gymnastics arch and a super-wide grip to massively shorten the stroke, or d) ...
You know jack shit about strength, dude.
No raw and drug-free small guy is pushing five bills with a legal pause.
-
Just because they guy had huge pecs doesn't mean he was capable of benching 500 pounds, man. And using the comparison to smaller powerlifters is idiotic.
I'm a believer! If I can I know he could have, if he was hitting 405lb for 8 reps than for sure his max was over 500lbs.
-
Anyone small benching 500 is a)gassed to the tits and a dwarf, b) using a shirt that puts hundreds of pounds onto the lift, c) using some gymnastics arch and a super-wide grip to massively shorten the stroke, or d) ...
You know jack shit about strength, dude.
No raw and drug-free small guy is pushing five bills with a legal pause.
x 2 it's funny how these guys are talkin like raw 500 benchers are a dime a dozen... ::)
-
a one-rep max of 5 plates seems perfectly reasonable for a guy with arnold's size.
certainly it was more than 380.
Some of you are quite new to this whole strength-training thing, eh? ::)
Arnold was maybe 270 at his heaviest. That is NOT a high bodyweight in comparison with a raw and unassisted 500-pound press.
Other things to note:
a) Who cares what has ever come out of Arnie's mouth? The guy is a total pro at lying.
b) Arnold has very long arms
c) That Levrone pushed 500 for a few means jack-all. He was at his best more than 20 years after Arnold was at his. The differences in drug use and the variety available is light years. As well, Kevin is built for pressing. Arnie is clearly NOT.
d) Arnold did a deadlifting contest at some point before coming to America. Hardly a powerlifting meet.
-
Wasn't there a scene in pumping iron where arnold and franco are training chest at the famous 'cage' at venice beach?
I think franco was doing flat benches and arnold said something funny and franco just laid there laughing with 315 on him for about 5 seconds then banged out like 6 more reps...
Pretty sure arnold was benching too.
And I think lou was doing dumbell curls with 100's as well as presses with 275 for 10
Yeah, he does a few difficult reps with 315, and then, after laughing, barely gets it up one more time. ::)
P.S. I stand corrected. He does eight and then one more. This wouldn't even give him a 405.
-
watched pumping iron the first time the other day.
franco benches 315 for 10.
after hearing about his legendary strength i thought he would be a little stronger?
No he does not. 10?! Watch it again.
-
i train with lou from time to time, he can do 400 easily right now...he usually does 120-140db's for 8-10 reps, doesnt flat bech too often. Hes strong as shit..esp in the biceps. He does seated curls with 90-100's still
400 "easily", now?
What a load. C'mon.
Dumbell pressing 120s-140s doesn't come close to an "easy" set of 400 pounds on the barbell, bub.
-
A 500lb. raw bench was rare in Powerlifting circles in the '70's, but Arnold could do it:)?
Exactly
-
He had a serious powerlifting background.
Not even close.
-
386? how did you come up with that odd number? Your not particularly strong but you can do almost 400 pounds for reps? Thats bullshit. A guy in your gym benches 480 for reps with ease but works out once a month? Do you think we are that gullible to believe that nonsense?
Yeah, I'm calling shit on this whole post, as well.
Pushing around 400 for reps, no matter the bodyweight, is HUGE. Especially if you're drug-free. And some dude who rarely trains can easily move almost 500?!
Where do you people come from?
-
ferrigno could bench press 545 pounds
So a guy who didn't strictly strength train and who weighed maybe 280 pounds could press what amounts to world class raw numbers today, 30 years ago?!
-
Most guys will lie about their dick size, their body weight,and their bench press...here we just have a lot of the latter..
-
YEAH 23 INCH ARMS IS LESS THAN AVERAGE.
Way to call out that six year old post!
-
Doug Young is a freaking monster!
-
Doug Young is a freaking monster!
Indeed
-
Ric Drasin was Arnold's training partner.....and he mentioned that Arnold benched close to 400 tops.
Drasin himself benched around 450......Franco benched close to 480......Arnold never did 500 on the bench.....but he had the best chest development of all time!
-
Anyone small benching 500 is a) gassed to the tits and a dwarf, b) using a shirt that puts hundreds of pounds onto the lift, c) using some gymnastics arch and a super-wide grip to massively shorten the stroke, or d) ...
You know jack shit about strength, dude.
No raw and drug-free small guy is pushing five bills with a legal pause.
there are a few vids on youtube of guys who look like absolute skinny-fat shit benching 500+ for reasonably good singles with no arch or tuck.
Blows my mind. Obviously they're heavily juiced up but have horrible genetics for size and bodyfat, great leverage and steel tendons.
-
Ric Drasin was Arnold's training partner.....and he mentioned that Arnold benched close to 400 tops.
Drasin himself benched around 450......Franco benched close to 480......Arnold never did 500 on the bench.....but he had the best chest development of all time!
Now these numbers are much closer to reality, no doubt.
Arnie got a lot from benching, pec development-wise. But even at his strongest, I can't see him hitting multiple sets of reps of, say, 8-10, with much more than 365-385, tops.
Doing four or five sets of eight with 315, in a tight and muscle-building style, is one hell of an accomplishment, let's not forget.
-
I've seen the skinniest guys who look like they don't even train putting up weights with much more ease in the gym than some much bigger guys. I don't think it's as straight forward as he weighs this and he weighs that and his arms are too long etc......
-
i am pretty sure arnokld could bench close to 500 . he deadlifted 683 piounds in germany 1968 . only his squat was a bit average . he curled two 85 pounds dbells in good form too . lou was even stronger than him .
-
i am pretty sure arnokld could bench close to 500 . he deadlifted 683 piounds in germany 1968 . only his squat was a bit average . he curled two 85 pounds dbells in good form too . lou was even stronger than him .
arnolds built for deadlifting and everyone back in them days did powerlifting or anything to do with lifitng and taking steroids it is possible he benched 500 i would guess in the 450 neighbor hood his benching technique is really shitty for getting maximum torque
-
arnie was never known for great tricep strentgh or pressing overhead big weights either . so go figure . he never had that kind of big ego like many men regarding strentgh
-
Arnold owned him as a child.
-
Arnold couldnt bench 500lb assisted. He was asked at some point earky in his career and his answer was 380lbs. Theres no way he added 120 lbs to that total while keeping his bw the same (it even dipped after 1971). Factor in that 500lbs is clearly chosen to sound impressive (its not like he maxed out at EXACTLY 500lbs) and that columbos max was 520lb (who was notoriously strong) and with much shorter limbs and greater leverage advantages, theres no way arnold benched 500lbs, just like he never calf raised with a 1000lbs. LOL.
As for ferrigno, who knows. I heard he claimed an 800lb deadlift which i find a tad optimistic considering his stature.
Define assisted.
-
not to sound like an egotistic but fucken seriously what is the fuckeen big deal with 500, ya OK it is impressive but fuck I put up 5 plates per side, flat bench unassisted raw and I m a fucken nobody gym rat and I am not that big. if 100`s of people on this planet can bench 500 lb which I suspect can, why is it so hard to believe Arnold or Lou can, especially Lou at 300+ lb
-
8)
-
lou wasa big boned guy great forearms . . if bob reis could bench 500 pounds 6 reps back in 1981 . at 236 bwt . why lou who was much bigger could not bench heavy . arnold 380 pounds as max is laughable . such monster chest doesnt come with average weights .
-
lou wasa big boned guy great forearms . . if bob reis could bench 500 pounds 6 reps back in 1981 . at 236 bwt . why lou who was much bigger could not bench heavy . arnold 380 pounds as max is laughable . such monster chest doesnt come with average weights .
who said 380? lmao, that is fucken toy weight
-
arnold 380 pounds as max is laughable . such monster chest doesnt come with average weights .
But in Arnold's case it does.
-
Big Lou always gives 110%. Always.
-
Big Lou always gives 110%. Always.
Anyone who watched Lou on Trumps show can clearly see the man is a lying POS...
-
Some clearly don't understand strength. Arnold never benched 500 pounds. At his strongest he might have had a mid-400s in him. The man had fantastic genetics for pec size and worked out several times each week without strength being a goal. Arnold was never a particularly large man, from an elite strength perspective, "only" being mid-200s during his competitive years. Back then, to be this light and of champion-level strength required incredibly focussed strength training, not the muscle-pumping routines shown in Pumping Iron.
Lou was likely capable of pressing 500 at his biggest but also never gave two shits towards being maximally strong. I seriously doubt he ever even attempted such a poundage.
Today, many more can lift such weight because of, mostly, the amounts and kinds of drugs used. There are go-nowhere wanks everywhere who routinely plug two or three grams worth of hormones into themselves, for fuck sake. That is A LOT. In Arnold's day this would have been considered suicide by most in the scene.
-
Lou sucks he has never got over Arnold beating him.
-
loiu is 5 years younger or so . but kept a better shape in advancing years . . arnold too busy with other things
-
Some clearly don't understand strength. Arnold never benched 500 pounds. At his strongest he might have had a mid-400s in him. The man had fantastic genetics for pec size and worked out several times each week without strength being a goal. Arnold was never a particularly large man, from an elite strength perspective, "only" being mid-200s during his competitive years. Back then, to be this light and of champion-level strength required incredibly focussed strength training, not the muscle-pumping routines shown in Pumping Iron.
Lou was likely capable of pressing 500 at his biggest but also never gave two shits towards being maximally strong. I seriously doubt he ever even attempted such a poundage.
Today, many more can lift such weight because of, mostly, the amounts and kinds of drugs used. There are go-nowhere wanks everywhere who routinely plug two or three grams worth of hormones into themselves, for fuck sake. That is A LOT. In Arnold's day this would have been considered suicide by most in the scene.
Very good post.
-
the nay sayers here dont have a clue.
heres a guy that had massive pecs, was 6'2", and clearly benefited, and had the mechanics for bench press.
repping over 400 for inclines and supersetting...
no reason at all why both arnold and lou could do 500lbs. saying 400 tops is la la land..have u ever been in a gym?- maybe u struggle on the bench?
i see 55 year old guys still doing triples at local gyms with 350..at less than 6' tall. and mr olympia and his counterparts cant do 500?- with incredible pec development and a background in powerlifting?
no doubt in my mind he did 500...but u guys can believe what u want...if he didnt do 500, id be completely surprised.
-
I agree
the nay sayers here dont have a clue.
heres a guy that had massive pecs, was 6'2", and clearly benefited, and had the mechanics for bench press.
repping over 400 for inclines and supersetting...
no reason at all why both arnold and lou could do 500lbs. saying 400 tops is la la land..have u ever been in a gym?- maybe u struggle on the bench?
i see 55 year old guys still doing triples at local gyms with 350..at less than 6' tall. and mr olympia and his counterparts cant do 500?- with incredible pec development and a background in powerlifting?
no doubt in my mind he did 500...but u guys can believe what u want...if he didnt do 500, id be completely surprised.
-
i saw a bodybuilder named jack chevrier back in 1983 with 21 inch arms before me he did five close grip bench with 405 pounds . he was 22 years old then he squatted 500 for 6 reps . was he clean ... i guess not . in those days i benched 435 clean . he was 5 foot 11 . iam over 6 feet .
-
difference between clean lifting too and drug enhancing training . .
-
but arnold was never known for great strentgh he was not a powerlifter and did not compete in strongman like lou did in 1977 . arnold cared about bodybuilding first and foremost . how much could his nemesis mentzer bench press by the way ...
-
Who cares how much they benched? both had the best chests in bodybuilding history BY FAR so I guess they benched enough.. the idiots struggling with these questions do not realize that IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MUCH YOU BENCH!
-
He is a asshole got lucky he can't hear and Arnold beat his ass. I dont give a fuck what he can bench.
-
Now these numbers are much closer to reality, no doubt.
Arnie got a lot from benching, pec development-wise. But even at his strongest, I can't see him hitting multiple sets of reps of, say, 8-10, with much more than 365-385, tops.
Doing four or five sets of eight with 315, in a tight and muscle-building style, is one hell of an accomplishment, let's not forget.
Oh hell yes
-
fairly sure arnold coud not bench over 400-440 for a single if his life depended on it
-
doesnt makes sense . he benched 440 pounds in germany in 1968 when he was barely out of teens . couple years in the USA . I AM SURE WITH MORE INTENSE training he benched colse to 500. he could rep out with 400 in 1972 1974.
-
reading about him on IMDB it says he benched 560lbs in his early 20's and at age 50 he could do 400. What do you think, Lou was as big as shit but i dont know much about his strength. He was supposed to have 23" arms, a 59" chest and weigh 275+ which by current standards is less than average.
i know Arnold was able to bench 500 unassisted but i dont know how many reps he could do with it. I doubt he would have attempt a 1rm so im guessing 2-3
I have a Muscle and Fitness book (not magazine) published in 1981, but the sources are from 1979/1980 and Lou quite clearly stated that his max bench press was 420 pounds, but if he trained exclusively on it, he could get it up to 500. His revisionist of history stating that his max in his 20's of 560 pounds is an outright lie.
-
Bench press claims are like cars horsepower dyno numbers. Lies.
-
Who was this guy that trained with arnold then?
Cheat curl 300lbs for reps. No.
At an exhibition for reg park in south africa, he did 275 lbs for 5 reps.
As for his form, a pictures worth a thousand words.
[img]
I mean that's basically a clean with supinated hands. ouch
-
Lot of insecure fools in this thread who beleive since they can't bench much that no one else could. I knew guys in college who can rep out 4 plates a side like it was nothing and they would look small next to Lou and Arnold. You guys forget that these guys are not Insulin big, they are legit strong big. They did bench all the time. there wasn't that bullshit pussy mentality about bench being dangerous.
-
Arnold couldnt bench 500lb assisted. He was asked at some point earky in his career and his answer was 380lbs. Theres no way he added 120 lbs to that total while keeping his bw the same (it even dipped after 1971). Factor in that 500lbs is clearly chosen to sound impressive (its not like he maxed out at EXACTLY 500lbs) and that columbos max was 520lb (who was notoriously strong) and with much shorter limbs and greater leverage advantages, theres no way arnold benched 500lbs, just like he never calf raised with a 1000lbs. LOL.
As for ferrigno, who knows. I heard he claimed an 800lb deadlift which i find a tad optimistic considering his stature.
Lol
Many much smaller guys can do reps with 450lbs
In my small gym here we have a dozen guys with a 450lbs bench, and only a few of them are over220 LBS bodyweight offseason
-
Lot of insecure fools in this thread who beleive since they can't bench much that no one else could. I knew guys in college who can rep out 4 plates a side like it was nothing and they would look small next to Lou and Arnold. You guys forget that these guys are not Insulin big, they are legit strong big. They did bench all the time. there wasn't that bullshit pussy mentality about bench being dangerous.
Exactly
Steroids Only or Even clean Guy doing benchpress in Each pec workout beats insulin blobbs with pussy attitude
-
what is this grade 9???
"this guy is a better bencher than that guy"
Just lookin' to make the juicer look bad, lol... Envious turds you are to those who are built like Gods.
-
It's fun to read through this old thread. People are such idiots.
-
i remember him saying the same thing on David Letterman, he's lying his ass off.
I heard Arnold say, on a different interview, that the most he ever benched was 535 lbs, or something like that
-
I benched 410 after only three years of training and looked nothing like Arnold or Lou. I'm sure those two could bench over 500 if they say they could.
-
I benched 410 after only three years of training and looked nothing like Arnold or Lou. I'm sure those two could bench over 500 if they say they could.
Size doesn’t dictate strength
I don’t why people always assume since the smaller guy can do 400, the much bigger guy can do 500 easily ::)
-
Size doesn’t dictate strength
I don’t why people always assume since the smaller guy can do 400, the much bigger guy can do 500 easily ::)
Not saying being smaller had more to do with it than my time training. Arnold lifted weights for years and years and did it for a living. I was an average gym rat in college who treated his body like a garbage dump and did what I did. More of me saying it's not a huge feat to break a 500 pound bench if lifting weights for a living is what you do.
-
Size doesn’t dictate strength
I don’t why people always assume since the smaller guy can do 400, the much bigger guy can do 500 easily ::)
this x 100
I spotted a 150lbs twink back in the 1990's at my gym in montreal and he did 4 plates per side for 1 clean rep, I could not fucking beleive it.
This guy made DJ look like Phil Heath
-
for all is worth, I did 460 lbs at a body weight of maybe 185 lbs, and I was only on 1AD (powerful prohormone available in those days) and ephedrine. But keep in mind I was obsessed with getting stronger on the bench, and always lifting like a maniac
-
Not saying being smaller had more to do with it than my time training. Arnold lifted weights for years and years and did it for a living. I was an average gym rat in college who treated his body like a garbage dump and did what I did. More of me saying it's not a huge feat to break a 500 pound bench if lifting weights for a living is what you do.
You prob didn’t know but could be you were genetically blessed for strength, no different than guys with good genetics for physiques like an Arnold or Ronnie
-
for all is worth, I did 460 lbs at a body weight of maybe 185 lbs, and I was only on 1AD (powerful prohormone available in those days) and ephedrine. But keep in mind I was obsessed with getting stronger on the bench, and always lifting like a maniac
That is Elite-level benching. World class. Like, upper-upper performance.
-
I will be bench pressing 350 with a slight bounce by May as I attempt to qualify for the CAASA Nationals in Canada for strongman in the <170-lb class. I would be shocked if Arnold didn't have at least 100-lb on that, but who knows? People put a lot of emphasis on the strength of bodybuilders, when it is not what they are judged on. I read that Gunter bench pressed around 365-lb for 8-12 reps on the incline, which some people called light - and maybe that would be fair to call light for a man whose off-season weight was 345-lb. But again, Gunter was a bodybuilder. To be honest, I respect bodybuilders like Gunter, as well as Phil Heath, who train to...you know...build muscle.
I am intrigued that a man like Gunter had such amazing genetics for bodybuilding, but didn't seem to have nearly the genetics for strength, regardless of his massive size. But, again...he trained for mass, as bodybuilders should, so it's hard to know for sure.
I think in Lou's day, with less known about training, bodybuilders probably did train to get stronger, assuming there was a correlation between strength strength and muscle size. Of course there is a correlation, but hypertrophy-specific training something that became a thing after Arnold himself popularized bodybuilding. As I said, in the Ironage, less was known about training, and exactly what a person had to do to become a bodybuilder wasn't understood as it is today.
Lou was pretty strong though - he did compete in the World's Strongest Man competition, back in its first form, when it attempted to determine if powerlifters were stronger than bodybuilders or if bodybuilders were stronger than Olympic weightlifters.
-
I will be bench pressing 350 with a slight bounce by May as I attempt to qualify for the CAASA Nationals in Canada for strongman in the <170-lb class. I would be shocked if Arnold didn't have at least 100-lb on that, but who knows? People put a lot of emphasis on the strength of bodybuilders, when it is not what they are judged on. I read that Gunter bench pressed around 365-lb for 8-12 reps on the incline, which some people called light - and maybe that would be fair to call light for a man whose off-season weight was 345-lb. But again, Gunter was a bodybuilder. To be honest, I respect bodybuilders like Gunter, as well as Phil Heath, who train to...you know...build muscle.
I am intrigued that a man like Gunter had such amazing genetics for bodybuilding, but didn't seem to have nearly the genetics for strength, regardless of his massive size. But, again...he trained for mass, as bodybuilders should, so it's hard to know for sure.
I think in Lou's day, with less known about training, bodybuilders probably did train to get stronger, assuming there was a correlation between strength strength and muscle size. Of course there is a correlation, but hypertrophy-specific training something that became a thing after Arnold himself popularized bodybuilding. As I said, in the Ironage, less was known about training, and exactly what a person had to do to become a bodybuilder wasn't understood as it is today.
Lou was pretty strong though - he did compete in the World's Strongest Man competition, back in its first form, when it attempted to determine if powerlifters were stronger than bodybuilders or if bodybuilders were stronger than Olympic weightlifters.
First, inclining 365 for 8-12 repetitions with full, controlled reps is MASSIVE. At any weight. And this was from a guy, Gunter, who didn’t train for absolute strength, a VERY different approach from bodybuilding.
Second, the WSM competition wasn’t designed in an effort to determine that which you suggest. Those very early stagings were merely fun free-for-alls.
Third, as I’ve stated, I’ve been close with folks who witnessed Arnold lifting during his prime, and (*yawn*) AGAIN, none say he’d ever press anywhere even close to the poundages some suggest. And anyway, for fuck same, the dude had huge showy muscles (biceps, pecs), but he was not a large man. Five hundred would have represented over twice his usual body weight. (As well, Arnie’s powerlifting background wasn’t “serious”. The guy deadlifted in some nowhere “meet”. That’s it.)
As I routinely say here, few actually know much about strength, its elite standards, etc.
P.P.S. The average gym rat hasn’t a clue about weight being lifted. Case in point, the other day, while squatting, a regular walked over and said, Holy fuck, man! I watched you bench press 500 pounds the other day!
No way he has ever seen me with greater than four plates and some change, at best.
-
First, inclining 365 for 8-12 repetitions with full, controlled reps is MASSIVE. At any weight. And this was from a guy, Gunter, who didn’t train for absolute strength, a VERY different approach from bodybuilding.
Second, the WSM competition wasn’t designed in an effort to determine that which you suggest. Those very early stagings were merely fun free-for-alls.
Third, as I’ve stated, I’ve been close with folks who witnessed Arnold lifting during his prime, and (*yawn*) AGAIN, none say he’d ever press anywhere even close to the poundages some suggest. And anyway, for fuck same, the dude had huge showy muscles (biceps, pecs), but he was not a large man. Five hundred would have represented over twice his usual body weight. (As well, Arnie’s powerlifting background wasn’t “serious”. The guy deadlifted in some nowhere “meet”. That’s it.)
As I routinely say here, few actually know much about strength, its elite standards, etc.
P.P.S. The average gym rat hasn’t a clue about weight being lifted. Case in point, the other day, while squatting, a regular walked over and said, Holy fuck, man! I watched you bench press 500 pounds the other day!
No way he has ever seen me with greater than four plates and some change, at best.
Here’s a buddy of mine that lifts at destination Dallas and was trained by josh Bryant, he doesn’t compete at all, does it for fun, stays in good shape year round at 9-10 percent bf at around 190 to low 190’s
He bench’s 445/455 with ease, can do 3 reps (maybe more if he wanted to) 405 like it’s nothing, has deadlifted close to 650 raw at 188-190 weight
I would consider this elite strength
-
I will be bench pressing 350 with a slight bounce by May as I attempt to qualify for the CAASA Nationals in Canada for strongman in the <170-lb class. I would be shocked if Arnold didn't have at least 100-lb on that, but who knows? People put a lot of emphasis on the strength of bodybuilders, when it is not what they are judged on. I read that Gunter bench pressed around 365-lb for 8-12 reps on the incline, which some people called light - and maybe that would be fair to call light for a man whose off-season weight was 345-lb. But again, Gunter was a bodybuilder. To be honest, I respect bodybuilders like Gunter, as well as Phil Heath, who train to...you know...build muscle.
I am intrigued that a man like Gunter had such amazing genetics for bodybuilding, but didn't seem to have nearly the genetics for strength, regardless of his massive size. But, again...he trained for mass, as bodybuilders should, so it's hard to know for sure.
I think in Lou's day, with less known about training, bodybuilders probably did train to get stronger, assuming there was a correlation between strength strength and muscle size. Of course there is a correlation, but hypertrophy-specific training something that became a thing after Arnold himself popularized bodybuilding. As I said, in the Ironage, less was known about training, and exactly what a person had to do to become a bodybuilder wasn't understood as it is today.
Lou was pretty strong though - he did compete in the World's Strongest Man competition, back in its first form, when it attempted to determine if powerlifters were stronger than bodybuilders or if bodybuilders were stronger than Olympic weightlifters.
I’ve seen Gunter train a lot in the early 2000’s, he wasn’t that strong, mostly smith machine presses and never seen him ever do 365 incline for 8-12 reps, I don’t think he could, not that it is important since he is a bber
He would struggle with 315 on the smiths incline lol
Cormier was strong a long with prince and of course mike o Hearn whom we all give him shit
-
That is Elite-level benching. World class. Like, upper-upper performance.
thank you good sir, I ain't gonna lie, ephedrine does gives what appears to be super human strength, but I stay away from that now, not just because it's illegal now, but because it's bad for the heart, it was giving me high blood pressure. My blood pressure is good now. I'm 100% natty now, no drugs of any kind, just some coffee
-
At 6 ft 5 or 195 cm and 270 lbs of contest weight, who cares what he benched, he simply was a benchmark (No bloated midget will ever come close to Lou in his seventies prime)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/32/d4/0e32d47892afcb614d4434a8c7914244.jpg)
-
thank you good sir, I ain't gonna lie, ephedrine does gives what appears to be super human strength, but I stay away from that now, not just because it's illegal now, but because it's bad for the heart, it was giving me high blood pressure. My blood pressure is good now. I'm 100% natty now, no drugs of any kind, just some coffee
::)
Yeah you look like you can at least 600 brah
(http://s11.postimg.org/5sw4x98ub/Sexybeast777.jpg)
-
and for the record ^^^^^ numbnuts has posted that pic on all the boards including this one over the years
-
At 6 ft 5 or 195 cm and 270 lbs of contest weight, who cares what he benched, he simply was a benchmark (No bloated midget will ever come close to Lou in his seventies prime)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/32/d4/0e32d47892afcb614d4434a8c7914244.jpg)
lol
-
::)
Yeah you look like you can at least 600 brah
(http://s11.postimg.org/5sw4x98ub/Sexybeast777.jpg)
Haha to be fair that photo alone doesent really offers any indication of his bench pressing ability but it does suggest that having sexybeast as a username is stretching the truth more than just a little
-
he looks like one of those neighborhood warning posters they put up around playgrounds, parks and schoolyards
-
he looks like one of those neighborhood warning posters they put up around playgrounds, parks and schoolyards
;D
-
he looks like one of those neighborhood warning posters they put up around playgrounds, parks and schoolyards
;D ;D ;D
-
::)
Yeah you look like you can at least 600 brah
(http://s11.postimg.org/5sw4x98ub/Sexybeast777.jpg)
yeah if I took steroids I could, my wrist bones are thick and I can handle heavy weights, but I'm 100% natty now, so 600 lb bench seem very unrealistic for a natty
-
Haha to be fair that photo alone doesent really offers any indication of his bench pressing ability but it does suggest that having sexybeast as a username is stretching the truth more than just a little
you don't seem very nice at all
-
you don't seem very nice at all
My post was at least 50% positive??
-
My post was at least 50% positive??
Henda, you should apologise for wounding 'sexybeast' ( ::)) with the truth!
-
Henda, you should apologise for wounding 'sexybeast' ( ::)) with the truth!
Haha awesome photo
ok in light of christmas festivities, beast I apologise profusely for my nasty insinuation that you are anything other than a magnificently handsome man !
-
it's ok, I forgive you^