I want YOUR opinion...

[chris_mason]

A promoter and I are considering having a bench press competition at the upcoming Olympia.  This would be a bench for cash meet open to select powerlifters AND professional bodybuilders.  As we wish to include bodybuilders there would be no bench shirts allowed. 

This would occur at the expo which accompanies the Olympia and would be highly visible. 

The contest would most likely be based upon 2-3 weight classes (although this is not set in stone) and would be for a 1 rep maximum with a pause.  The possibility of someone like Brian Siders and Ryan Kennelly going head to head with a pro bodybuilder like Lee Priest (these are only examples and we have not spoken to Lee or the others) is what I want your opinion on.  Do you like the idea?

Personally, I think it is a very cool idea and would love to see it as a fan.

Chris

[danielson]

if you have one of those measuring sticks like they do before you get on rollercoasters, you won't have to worry about Lee Priest entering at all.

[sarcasm]

sound ok but the problem is that the powerlifters would be ready and well fed and the bb'ers would be depleted from the dieting, it night be a good idea for the IFBB pros who aren't competing though, i'd love to see that, my bet is that none of the bb'ers could bench what they've always claimed.

[240 is Back]

Sounds cool.  I'd like to see an event where you offered $5k to whichever IFBB guy competing at the O could bench the most, or bench 225 the most reps (safer than a max).  I am sure most bottom half guys would enter (as they're not leaving with any cash anyway) and you might have a few top guys trying it too.  Even if the numbers are low as the guys will be depleted, seeing branch do 225 17 times to beat a Johnny jackson 16 times would be some cool theater! 

Also Chris- very cool to come on here and ask for opinions.  Ppl will shoot ya straight here.

[danielson]

Sounds cool.  I'd like to see an event where you offered $5k to whichever IFBB guy competing at the O could bench the most, or bench 225 the most reps (safer than a max).  I am sure most bottom half guys would enter (as they're not leaving with any cash anyway) and you might have a few top guys trying it too.  Even if the numbers are low as the guys will be depleted, seeing branch do 225 17 times to beat a Johnny jackson 16 times would be some cool theater! 

Also Chris- very cool to come on here and ask for opinions.  Ppl will shoot ya straight here.

wouldn't a top pro be able to rep with 225 in the 40s or 50s? Some fat lineman did it 43 times on ESPN.

[240 is Back]

wouldn't a top pro be able to rep with 225 in the 40s or 50s? Some fat lineman did it 43 times on ESPN.

I dunno... Coleman did it something like 70 times in contest mode.  I have no idea what the numbers would be.  Put you put 5,000 on the line, and 1) you'll have a more exciting show than the one on the stage, and 2) You'll see Bbers in contest shape doing something remotely functional, and 3) you'll get AT LEAST $5k worth of talk on the boards and magazines...

2006 Olympia "AT LARGE & IN CHARGE" Pro Bodybuilder Bench-Off.

See?  We're already talking about your supplement co. 4 months before the show.  Who do you think will win the "At Large & In Charge" bench press show?  Coleman did 70+ reps at one of these once, but that was before the torn tri. JJ has the most strength probably, but which guy keeps the most stamina come showtime?  not Darrem... you see  him at the Colo Pro?  Sweatin...  (add'l examples of discussions for the next 100 days... $5k is a small price to pay)

[Hedgehog]

I think a raw deadlift meet would be your best bet.

It's the lift which takes the shortest amount of time per lift, and there is not as much judging involved. The crowd will also be able to actually see the lift properly.

No spotters, no judging controversy.

Go for it.

YIP
Zack

[bigdumbbell]

sarcasm is about right

[Sir William Idol]

im sure the bodybuilders would get smoked and an actual threat like ronnie wouldnt even be bothered with it anyway, he's got real money on the line to think about

[chris_mason]

I think a raw deadlift meet would be your best bet.

It's the lift which takes the shortest amount of time per lift, and there is not as much judging involved. The crowd will also be able to actually see the lift properly.

No spotters, no judging controversy.

Go for it.

YIP
Zack

That is another serious consideration.

Chris

[chris_mason]

This isn't anything set in stone but something we are seriously considering.  I would love to do it.

As the thread title states, I want YOUR opinion.  Please try to keep posts to topic at hand. 

[ManBearPig...]

this idea is prejudiced against guys like Bob Chick, who don't do bench press because it doesn't do anything for your chest.

[Bast175]

i use the ab roller to work chest. 

[RUDE BUOY]

i use the ab roller to work chest. 

hows that worken for ya?

[Adam Empire]

No bench shirts?  Then how are people going to lift?  With their own muscles?  I'm not even certain this is done anymore...

[Van_Bilderass]

How many pros are willing to risk injury maxing in the bench? The only ones who MIGHT do it are those with a powerlifting background.

[Dos Equis]

The concept is good, but the timing might not be right if you want bodybuilders to compete.  Can't see how they would be at their strongest in the middle of a show, unless you get the strongest guys who didn't qualify for the O to compete.   

[chris_mason]

How many pros are willing to risk injury maxing in the bench? The only ones who MIGHT do it are those with a powerlifting background.

Hmmm, I disagree.  Anyone who has ever trained for strength knows that performing a controlled single repetition is no more dangerous than a multiple repetition set if the lifter has trained in such as manner as to prepare for it.

Bodybuilders who claim to be afraid to perform a 1 rep maximum are really just using the injury idea as a scapegoat for being weak.  

The injuries that lifters incur while performing a maximal raw single are a result of either poor form or the fact that anabolics can have a detrimental effect on the structure of the tendons thus making they more prone to tears.  

As many tears occur during warm-ups as they do during the heavy sets.  

I think many bodybuilders would not participate but there are some that would and that would be exciting.  I would not expect the Olympia competitors to participate thus my mention of someone like Priest.

[Hurricane Beef !]

Chris, I'd go with a percentage of bodyweight for the most reps. This would maximise the amount of time each person ( it should be men and woman ) were " on the bench " keeping the crowd at your contest and exposed to your supplement line for a greater period of time. The total number of impressions would be exponentially greater.

I'd also invest in a custom bench ( go to a metal fab shop ) have it covered in a material with your companies logo screened on it. Have two giant screens on each side of the stage perched high. Have a camera, they are so small now their weightless, suspended from the ceiling and shoot the competetor as they take their turn. When Finished, the camera shoots your logo as the MC gives the official count and announces the next contestant, you have two 10 or 15 foot adds which can be seen from everywhere. A local audio/video company could do it for next to nothing. When I was in school I worked in the banquets dept of a large hotel and we did stuff like that all the time.

You gotta get OnlyMe there as the MC.

The Beef

[240 is Back]

How many pros are willing to risk injury maxing in the bench? The only ones who MIGHT do it are those with a powerlifting background.

To the 15 guys who will not place in the top 10 - who will not earn a red cent that weekend - the thought of hitting one tough set of 225 for a chance at $5k might be worth it.

IMO, the deadlift, while a very cool exercise, would get less participants than the bench.  And less interest.  Would be more fun for the crowd to count the reps than to watch them try a 1RM with a loaded bar.  Plus, all that tanning oil would make for a slippery grip.

[chris_mason]

To the 15 guys who will not place in the top 10 - who will not earn a red cent that weekend - the thought of hitting one tough set of 225 for a chance at $5k might be worth it.

IMO, the deadlift, while a very cool exercise, would get less participants than the bench.  And less interest.  Would be more fun for the crowd to count the reps than to watch them try a 1RM with a loaded bar.  Plus, all that tanning oil would make for a slippery grip.

I am not totally opposed to the bench for reps idea.  That said, I would NOT use 225 lbs because I think someone benching it for 30 or more reps is just silly.  Perhaps we might have a bench 315 or 405 for reps?

[240 is Back]

I am not totally opposed to the bench for reps idea.  That said, I would NOT use 225 lbs because I think someone benching it for 30 or more reps is just silly.  Perhaps we might have a bench 315 or 405 for reps?

maybe call it the AtLarge 300 - or something like that - so it has that competition feel, almost like a racing name.  (300 being the weight).

Oh, and some custom plates in your company's color would look cool too.

[bigdumbbell]

according to 240 this would of course require no training/prep/certificates of insurance or would it be via signed disclaimer, 240?

[240 is Back]

according to 240 this would of course require no training/prep/certificates of insurance or would it be via signed disclaimer, 240?

I'll let Legal handle the waivers.  I'm just the hypeman.

[dr.chimps]

Totally cool idea. I presume, of course, that there would be some kind of sportsbook for, um, those who might want to wager a bit.