What is the deal with low bench press?

[jaspirr]

I was reading on another message board people posting their max bench press weights and it's not the first time I've seen people doing much better than me with much less effort, and it's starting to piss me off.

I've been working out for four months now. When I started, I could bench around 85lbs. I was 5'9 130ish. Currently, I can bench about 120 and weigh 153lbs.

On the other hand, I've been reading about many people that rarely to never do weight lifting, and they get on the bench press and do 180lbs like it was nothing.

It just seems really unusual. I'd say the people were lying, but I've seen a bunch of different people say numbers like that now on different message boards. Am I eternally doomed to an extremely low bench press? How can I work my ass off for 4 months and only do half the weight of some people that have barely ever worked out?

I'm just looking for an explanation behind this - does it have to do with genetics?

[Meta|Gear]

Id also like to know, i mean im 200lbs and i can barely bench 80lbs in my set yet i see peple who are 150 benching 260+ on forums. Even at the gym i se a guy who must weigh at least 200+ twice as big as me benching no more then 140 +/-

[PetaPeta]

yea i bench the same amoug as the people in my YMCA...and they are twice my size...

[jaspirr]

Id also like to know, i mean im 200lbs and i can barely bench 80lbs in my set yet i see peple who are 150 benching 260+ on forums. Even at the gym i se a guy who must weigh at least 200+ twice as big as me benching no more then 140 +/-

Yeah...at my gym, I saw this one kid come in. He was about 20ish. He had on (no joke) pajama pants, converse sneakers, a big t-shirt, long shaggy hair, glasses. He was about 6 foot and I'd say he weighed around 130. I kinda laughed when he came in, and it was obvious he didn't know how to use any of the machines and had never been there. Then, he got on the bench press, and did 135lbs like it was nothing. He added some more weight after that, but I stopped paying attention.

[PetaPeta]

looollll...that always happen to me..i mean im the 5'6 125lbs guy that bench 135lbs ^_^...most people in my gym too they do the same weight...but the thing is ...they are like over 6'0 180lbs..

[jaspirr]

looollll...that always happen to me..i mean im the 5'6 125lbs guy that bench 135lbs ^_^...most people in my gym too they do the same weight...but the thing is ...they are like over 6'0 180lbs..

Well is there any explanation for it?

[Birdymacfly]

Some people are just naturally stronger than others. I started out at like 95, and I usually work out with 155 now on incline. My roomies just started working out with me and one benches 65 and one benches 115. It only makes sense that different people have different natural strength.

[PetaPeta]

i dunno, most of the people here in bb.com train harder than u/us...they have been trainin for more than just a year, they train hard, they eat right, they take a lot of supplements...which can give then a lot of strenght...so yea..i just started too like 5-6 months...if a couple of years im sure i can bench 180lbs of so...just keep it up and dont let anyone distract u...remember ur not in a competition againts other bbers...not yet..so just take ur time and have fun...

[Neo_Anthony]

i bench 175 at 140 lbs.. size has nothing to do with it.. alot of small people cant do much.. but sometimes theres some exceptions.. work at it and it will become better.. i was 120 lbs maxing at 120 lbs just 4 months ago.. its possible just work at it..i see alot of huge fat people that dont even get close to my bench.. dont base strength on size.. also.. bench is only 1 exercises.. u cant base full body strength on 1 exercise.. alot of teenagers tend to only care about what people bench.. some might think your weak if you cant bench much.. but some people can bench low and probobly be squating alot more than u.. so you shouldnt judge.

[DUILEE]

People who have shorter limbs can usually lift more weight because they have more leverage and they don't have to move the weight as far. Also, they will make gains faster because say for example that they put on 5 lbs. of muscle, that muscle is distributed over a smaller area than somebody who is naturally long limbed. You also have to take into consideration that some people are just naturally stronger, blame it on genetics if you like.

[Jesin]

just keep going heavy and dont overtrain and your bench will go up.

[rubber]

I was reading on another message board people posting their max bench press weights and it's not the first time I've seen people doing much better than me with much less effort, and it's starting to piss me off.

I've been working out for four months now. When I started, I could bench around 85lbs. I was 5'9 130ish. Currently, I can bench about 120 and weigh 153lbs.

On the other hand, I've been reading about many people that rarely to never do weight lifting, and they get on the bench press and do 180lbs like it was nothing.

It just seems really unusual. I'd say the people were lying, but I've seen a bunch of different people say numbers like that now on different message boards. Am I eternally doomed to an extremely low bench press? How can I work my ass off for 4 months and only do half the weight of some people that have barely ever worked out?

I'm just looking for an explanation behind this - does it have to do with genetics?

For the 81st time. WHO GIVES A ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@

Unless you are a powerlifter, the question should be what effect is flat bench having on your chest development. I ****ing swear some of you guys need to really grow up. You would think you are all are 12 years old with your childish infatuation with the bench press. Start lifting with your brain, and stop worrying about the bull****(stats, etc)

[BillyB]

A lot of people that and been lifting a while know that you can damage your shoulders if you go all out on you bench press weight. I am 6"4 225lbs and I go light due to my shoulders.

"Rotator cuff injuries are very common in most sports today,as well as in the weight room. "

The reasons:

#1. Reliance on the bench press as a measure of upper body strength or to build big pecs.

Danger: In building the pecs, the shoulder is compromised. This unnatural lift leaves many powerful men crippled as they age. Their rotator cuff is literally shot - and sometimes on BOTH shoulders.

[UnsungDemiGod]

Keep working at it, those are some impressive gains for 4 months. Just don't quit on yourself when you see some bigger guys than you, you'll get there, and if not, then don't worry, nobody's body has an inability to grow... Everyone can put on weight and add weight to their lifts. Now: I agree with whomever said you should be looking at the muscle you're adding, not the weight you are adding to the lifts. CONCENTRATE ON BUILDING MUSCLE, unless you are a powerlifter, the object of the game is looking good.

[KopyKat]

Genetics can play a big roll, some people are just biomechnically inclined towards pressing movements and some pulling movements. Depending on how your muscles are layed out on your body and how joints, leverage points and muscle fibres are used will determine what lifts you might excel in and which ones you may not.

This has nothing to do with gaining muscle though, you can gain in all lifts, just use proper form and try different rep ranges in the 6-10 area.

[wolfsburg2]

you are obvously young. why do you care what other peopel lift? why are you infatuated with the number instead of the results?

you just don't have the strength to move more weight yet. multiple cause for this. you might not eat enough and of the right things to gain, bad genetics prob plays a part, and you prob don't really train hard/well. that said you still made progress. s tcik with it, asl for advice at the gym, and don't be stupid.

Ego lifting is dangerous. you are not a powerlifter. We lift to improve our ohysiques first and foremost remember that. don't get caught up in the numbers.

[rick65]

don't worry about other people bench press, i see the same thing, the bench
press is a very complicated movement, and depending on how you are put together and the width and type of grip u use with vary from person to person. i have been training for a long time and bench a respectable 300.
i has never felt like a great movement for me and it just does not come
easiy to my, then some one 5-10 175-180 will come into the gym and
look like he has ave. strength and benches 350 no problem. just do the
best for yourself and keep on training. often the same mr bench press
would look at me training legs and just shake his head, because he
could never train like it train legs. find the workout that works for your
and keep on improving.

[B-Rock]

I was reading on another message board people posting their max bench press weights and it's not the first time I've seen people doing much better than me with much less effort, and it's starting to piss me off.

I've been working out for four months now. When I started, I could bench around 85lbs. I was 5'9 130ish. Currently, I can bench about 120 and weigh 153lbs.

On the other hand, I've been reading about many people that rarely to never do weight lifting, and they get on the bench press and do 180lbs like it was nothing.

It just seems really unusual. I'd say the people were lying, but I've seen a bunch of different people say numbers like that now on different message boards. Am I eternally doomed to an extremely low bench press? How can I work my ass off for 4 months and only do half the weight of some people that have barely ever worked out?

I'm just looking for an explanation behind this - does it have to do with genetics?

****DISCLAIMER****
I am not an expert nor do I claim to be one so take everything that I say with a grain of salt. This is just how I see things. Do not be offended by anything I say because I never mean to offend.
****END DISCLAIMER****

First let me say that no you are not doomed to low bench presses. Developing muscles and strength takes time and effort. If it was easy we would all look like Jay Cutler or Arnold.

As for as bench press numbers... Genetics and lifestyle play a big part in a persons natural strength. Some people do not gain size quickly but get strong quickly. This could be because of improper diet, excessive cardio and catobolism, etc. People who have always been active don't consider flag football active training. So people who say that they have these high bench presses and hardly ever workout are probably working harder than you expect.

And don't rule out the possibility of e-stats. Not everyone is honest about their stats. So don't let numbers become an obstacle. They really aren't that important. It's about muscle gain and not about weight on the bar but it is an ego boost to say "I bench ____ (fill in the blank) and have jaws drop.

I found that more weight (65% - 80% 1 rep max) and less reps (no more than 8 or exhaustion) and going until muscle exhaustion will increase your bench over time. It won't happen in a week or maybe even in a month but you should see gradual noticable gains.

Hope this helps
B-Rock

[$AJ]

don't worry about what others are doing.

[lowkey122]

I was reading on another message board people posting their max bench press weights and it's not the first time I've seen people doing much better than me with much less effort, and it's starting to piss me off.

I've been working out for four months now. When I started, I could bench around 85lbs. I was 5'9 130ish. Currently, I can bench about 120 and weigh 153lbs.

On the other hand, I've been reading about many people that rarely to never do weight lifting, and they get on the bench press and do 180lbs like it was nothing.

It just seems really unusual. I'd say the people were lying, but I've seen a bunch of different people say numbers like that now on different message boards. Am I eternally doomed to an extremely low bench press? How can I work my ass off for 4 months and only do half the weight of some people that have barely ever worked out?

I'm just looking for an explanation behind this - does it have to do with genetics?

I was just like you when I started 5 months ago until I realized I was doing 2 things wrong. I started out benching 95 lbs and hit the wall around 135 (I was so proud when I could throw those 45's on the bar). When the weight I was benching started decreasing I realized what I was doing incorrectly:

First, I was overtrained. Yes you can overtrain with low weights because you're probably not that big and your body is not used to that intensity. I took a rest and came back able to bench 20 more lbs than before easily.

Secondly, I was trying to add 5 lbs per week until I hit my goal of 200 lbs. Then I realized there is a more efficient way to increase weight which is to use high weight with low reps. Push yourself beyond what you normally lift otherwise you'll progress very slowly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the bench press uses a lot of stabilizer muscles. Train your triceps, lats and shoulders and watch the weight pile up. I still have a long way to go and agree that your bench shouldn't be only indicator of your strength or progress but just some advice to get you over your plateau.

[jaspirr]

****DISCLAIMER****
I am not an expert nor do I claim to be one so take everything that I say with a grain of salt. This is just how I see things. Do not be offended by anything I say because I never mean to offend.
****END DISCLAIMER****

First let me say that no you are not doomed to low bench presses. Developing muscles and strength takes time and effort. If it was easy we would all look like Jay Cutler or Arnold.

As for as bench press numbers... Genetics and lifestyle play a big part in a persons natural strength. Some people do not gain size quickly but get strong quickly. This could be because of improper diet, excessive cardio and catobolism, etc. People who have always been active don't consider flag football active training. So people who say that they have these high bench presses and hardly ever workout are probably working harder than you expect.

And don't rule out the possibility of e-stats. Not everyone is honest about their stats. So don't let numbers become an obstacle. They really aren't that important. It's about muscle gain and not about weight on the bar but it is an ego boost to say "I bench ____ (fill in the blank) and have jaws drop.

I found that more weight (65% - 80% 1 rep max) and less reps (no more than 8 or exhaustion) and going until muscle exhaustion will increase your bench over time. It won't happen in a week or maybe even in a month but you should see gradual noticable gains.

Hope this helps
B-Rock

Thank you B-Rock, most helpful post in this thread.

As for Rubber, um...calm down. Where did I ever say I was infatuated with bench press? It's just the worst exercise for me, and I've made better gains in every other exercise than with the bench press, so I was asking if there was some reason behind this.

DemiGod, thanks for the help as well. I have added a good amount of muscle to all the muscle groups, and I'm not one of those people that is into weight training just to say I have higher numbers.

Wolfsburg, I just turned 19 a couple weeks ago. I follow a strict eating routine and strict workout routine and have been doing so since the start. That's one of the reasons I was frustrated - I'm positive I've been doing everything right, and every other exercise seems to improve except the barbell bench press.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I feel better though after talking to my friend who is 5'9 145 and has been lifting for three years and can only bench 165(for sets) and 195(max).

[Jujitsu]

I benched 185 the first time I ever maxed out. I was 13 years old.

[BluntStatic]

my bench is low becuase im trying to lose weight its horribly depressing knowing that you could bench 200lb instead of 110lb by this time if u just lifted

[dookie1481]

A lot of people that and been lifting a while know that you can damage your shoulders if you go all out on you bench press weight. I am 6"4 225lbs and I go light due to my shoulders.

"Rotator cuff injuries are very common in most sports today,as well as in the weight room. "

The reasons:

#1. Reliance on the bench press as a measure of upper body strength or to build big pecs.

Danger: In building the pecs, the shoulder is compromised. This unnatural lift leaves many powerful men crippled as they age. Their rotator cuff is literally shot - and sometimes on BOTH shoulders.

You cannot make blanket statements like this. I have no problems bench pressing. A lot of people fuck up their shoulders because they put their goddamn humerus level with their shoulders when they press. Well, no **** your shoulders are going to get screwed up.

[beerman_420]

i personally dont care how much i bench? some chest workouts i dont even do bench press

[liltwisted]

i wish the people at my gm were that weak i bench 185 for a few reps and im emberassed to do it but just ignore other people keep a log and try to increase in weigh or reps everytime you workout

[nLucid]

yall need to get a spotter and put some weight on that bar. People benching 65lb wtf. throw up some weight.

[medjen]

yall need to get a spotter and put some weight on that bar. People benching 65lb wtf. throw up some weight.

In the 5+ years since this thread was posted, I'm sure they figured it out or quite.

[Beachman]

yall need to get a spotter and put some weight on that bar. People benching 65lb wtf. throw up some weight.

This thread is 5+ years old.

[Time-Man]

yall need to get a spotter and put some weight on that bar. People benching 65lb wtf. throw up some weight.

age + comment = ROFL

funny how the guys that bump these ancient posts and got the most stupid comments NEVER have a avi or any stats in their bodyspace ? And 9/10 are in the red anyhow