Author Topic: Lou Ferrigno - did he bench 560lbs in his prime? (Read 63341 times)

the shadow · « **on:** July 03, 2007, 08:21:40 AM »

from imdb.com

Bench-pressed 560 lbs in his prime (age 25). Now, at the age of 50, he benches 400 lbs.

The Squadfather · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:22:24 AM »

no way in a million years, i would doubt that he got anything over 405, great physique though.

ToxicAvenger · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:28:32 AM »

low louie maybe got 405 back in the day for a double..THATS IT...

and i'm talking without a bench shirt..i dont consider bench shirt benches as legit..my weak ass put up 285 for a single wearing a double ply..and i could barely get 225 up without one..

willie mosconi · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2007, 09:31:44 AM »

Quote from: the shadow on July 03, 2007, 08:21:40 AM

from imdb.com
Bench-pressed 560 lbs in his prime (age 25). Now, at the age of 50, he benches 400 lbs.

I've been working out at gold's for the past 4 years and I've never seen him do the flat barbell bench, so the 400 lbs bench is highly questionable

swilkins1984 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2007, 10:09:27 AM »

In Pumping Iron he looked like he was going all out with 185 on the incline.

toolarge4u · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:34:48 AM »

Well considering I have actually trained with him several times at my gym when hes on the east coast and visits my family, no he never does barbell. He does do 110-120's on flat for easy 10 though. He usually smith machines upto 275 for 10 -12 as well. Nothing special but on arm day i was blown away when he grabbed 90's and curled them incline seated with his feet up for 10. I got no reason to lie, hes never flat benched with me. But he did say at his best ever he benched low 500 for a single. I believe him as well. Arnold confirmed in front of me before also.

onlyme · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:40:22 AM »

Lou was very strong for his height. If you remember he did pretty damm well in the World Strongest Man competition. I never saw him bench but I did see him do shoulders and trained arms with him a few times back in the early 80's and he is strong as hell. I would doubt he might have benched that. In Pumping Iron how much is he incline DB curling.

willie mosconi · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:41:54 AM »

Quote from: toolarge4u on July 03, 2007, 11:34:48 AM

Well considering I have actually trained with him several times at my gym when hes on the east coast and visits my family, no he never does barbell. He does do 110-120's on flat for easy 10 though. He usually smith machines upto 275 for 10 -12 as well. Nothing special but on arm day i was blown away when he grabbed 90's and curled them incline seated with his feet up for 10. I got no reason to lie, hes never flat benched with me. But he did say at his best ever he benched low 500 for a single. I believe him as well. Arnold confirmed in front of me before also.

I believe he could still be pretty strong- he still looks pretty solid- especially for a guy in his late-50s

IceCold · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:45:15 AM »

Quote from: onlyme on July 03, 2007, 11:40:22 AM

Lou was very strong for his height. If you remember he did pretty damm well in the World Strongest Man competition. I never saw him bench but I did see him do shoulders and trained arms with him a few times back in the early 80's and he is strong as hell. I would doubt he might have benched that. In Pumping Iron how much is he incline DB curling.

100's.

MCWAY · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:32:57 PM »

Quote from: the shadow on July 03, 2007, 08:21:40 AM

from imdb.com
Bench-pressed 560 lbs in his prime (age 25). Now, at the age of 50, he benches 400 lbs.

I don't consider Ferrigno as being in his prime at age 25, considering he was much bigger and more defined at age 41 when he competed at the 1993 Olympia. He was listed at 315. At the 1975 Olympia, he was 268.

Deadpool · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:42:33 PM »

regardless...he's still an obnoxious guy who never won the prize of mr o

The Squadfather · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:58:53 PM »

Quote from: toolarge4u on July 03, 2007, 11:34:48 AM

Well considering I have actually trained with him several times at my gym when hes on the east coast and visits my family, no he never does barbell. He does do 110-120's on flat for easy 10 though. He usually smith machines upto 275 for 10 -12 as well. Nothing special but on arm day i was blown away when he grabbed 90's and curled them incline seated with his feet up for 10. I got no reason to lie, hes never flat benched with me. But he did say at his best ever he benched low 500 for a single. I believe him as well. Arnold confirmed in front of me before also.

corinth · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:00:42 PM »

I would have to see him do it to believe it.

Of course that would probably cost me 20 bucks.

The Squadfather · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:02:49 PM »

Quote from: corinth on July 03, 2007, 01:00:42 PM

I would have to see him do it to believe it.

Of course that would probably cost me 20 bucks.

uh oh, watch out corinth, "toolargeforyou" is friends with Arnold and Ferrigno.

dzulboy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:03:46 PM »

Quote from: The Squadfather on July 03, 2007, 08:22:24 AM

no way in a million years, i would doubt that he got anything over 405, great physique though.

dude he was huge in his prime

The Squadfather · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:05:20 PM »

Quote from: dzulboy on July 03, 2007, 01:03:46 PM

dude he was huge in his prime

i know he was but there's no way in hell he benched 5 45's and a 35 on each side of the bar, sorry.

OneMoreRep · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:52:20 PM »

Quote from: dzulboy on July 03, 2007, 01:03:46 PM

dude he was huge in his prime

Looking huge due to steroid use or even looking huge period does not equate to having a big bench. The guys that actually do bench in the high 700's - 900's even with the use of a shirt and all are way smaller then Ronnie Coleman, yet they can do sets of 10 with 500 as if it were a joke, whereas Ronnie would struggle.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:57:56 PM »

No, no he did not.

JasonH · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2007, 02:08:44 PM »

Lou's got a good chest on him and reasonably short arms for his frame so a good lift on the bench is possible for him.

560 sounds a bit excessive to me but at a push I don't see any reason why he couldn't put up 480-500 for a single.

Matt C · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2007, 03:51:25 PM »

Quote from: toolarge4u on July 03, 2007, 11:34:48 AM

Well considering I have actually trained with him several times at my gym when hes on the east coast and visits my family, no he never does barbell. He does do 110-120's on flat for easy 10 though. He usually smith machines upto 275 for 10 -12 as well. Nothing special but on arm day i was blown away when he grabbed 90's and curled them incline seated with his feet up for 10. I got no reason to lie, hes never flat benched with me. But he did say at his best ever he benched low 500 for a single. I believe him as well. Arnold confirmed in front of me before also.

toolarge4u,

At your max did you deadlift 405 for 17?

Danimal77 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2007, 05:34:18 PM »

I read in a 1981 Muscle and Fitness magazine that he benched 420 pounds and with specialize training he could probably do 500 pounds. NO WAY did he bench 560 pounds. I DO believe that he DID bench 420 pounds however.

pobrecito · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2007, 05:57:26 PM »

Based on what he did on Pumping Iron, I would say NO. Yates and Coleman are probably among the very few BB that could actually BP over 500.

SirTraps · « **Reply #22 on:** July 03, 2007, 06:06:48 PM »

He pushed a car over when he got really pissed and Bill Bixby turned green and huge. Hope this helps.

Herc · « **Reply #23 on:** July 03, 2007, 09:11:12 PM »

no way in a million years, i would doubt that he got anything over 405, great physique though.

You must have no concept of wieghtlifing or bodybuilding. you seriously dont think lou ferigno ever got anything above 405. The guy wieghed 265lbs of solid muscle and was a monster. He probably did 405 for 15 reps easily in his prime. Its not possible to look like he did with a bench under 405 especially for how tall he was. For someone that tall to have any muscularity they will have a big bench. Whether or not he did 560 I dont know but I wouldnt put it past him. He was a big guy with a big frame.

Herc · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2007, 09:31:04 PM »

Just to put thing into perspective here is what franco columbo did. He was only 5'5" and 198, way smaller then Ferrigno. If Ferrigno had any power at all he should at least have been over 500lbs on the bench.

Powerlifting world records
Bench press 525 lb (238 kg)
Squat 655 lb (297 kg)
Deadlift 750 lb (340 kg)