My max bench is extremely high compared to what I rep. Is this normal?

[VendingMachine]

First of all, thank you for opening this ready to share some insight. Okay, so, when I do my working sets, I use my home gym. Currently, on my home bench, I can do 160x5. The other day on a regulation bench at the gym I maxed out at 215. I was wondering if this was normal for anyone else as well? Another thing I was thinking was the differences in the actual benches. At my home gym, the bench is a little too high for me so I can't properly plant my feet and arch my back, plus where the rack hands are located, I have to bench with my arms a little closer than I'd like. Maybe this is the reason for the large jump of 160x5 to a 215 max? Thanks again in advance.

[djoyce2]

it happens. I can squat crazy reps, but it doesn't translate well to a 1rm.

Luckily, this is the powerlifting section, and in a powerlifting competition, only 1 single rep matters.

If you're making progress, then don't worry about it.

[Smolovicus]

I know a few guys who can throw up 225 for 10-12 reps but can hardly max at 285. Alternatively, I know one guy who maxes at 310 but falls short after 6 reps of 225.

Last week I squatted 245 for 10 with a couple reps left in the tank. That same workout -- before that set -- I had to grind out a single at 295.

When I was benching 160 for 5, my max was maybe a slow 180. I'd say yeah, you have a fairly unusual distance between them. It's likely that the bench elevation plays a factor, though, too.

[njg0920]

You are roughly at 75% of your training max so it isn't really "extremely high"

[djoyce2]

you may want to work on maintaining tightness during the bench as well.

After a few reps, shoulders can come loose, arch can diminish etc.

video tape your reps, and look at the difference between the first rep and last rep in a set.

[goosefrabbas]

Might mean you're not staying tight through the whole set, which could be a problem with bench and squat.
For example, what I can squat for reps usually points to a lower max than my true max, and what I bench for reps usually points to a higher max than my true max. This is probably because I have trouble staying tight when I squat for reps but I'm fine on a good bench.

[nzmusclez]

With my bench I can do about 5 reps of 285 (touch and go on chest) and 1 rep with a touch and go about 340

Squats is a bit different. I believe your 1rep is closer to your "for reps" weight because your legs are quite an endurance muscle seeing as you walk on them all day.

[ISuckAtBenching]

it happens. I can squat crazy reps, but it doesn't translate well to a 1rm.

Luckily, this is the powerlifting section, and in a powerlifting competition, only 1 single rep matters.

If you're making progress, then don't worry about it.

See I'm the opposite, I've hit an easy, easy 6 wheel+120lb chains squat in wraps, and I would be god damn lucky to hit 455 to depth for 5 reps. Thank god I don't give a flying f-ck about my 2-10rm. I just get freaking gassed w/ repetition work.

[LukeDuke13]

Normal for power lifters? You bet!!!
We train to apply rate of force much more rapidly than bodybuilders, where as they train for time under tension. Two different methods for to different outcomes.

[ByronOrpheus]

I know a few guys who can throw up 225 for 10-12 reps but can hardly max at 285.

Unfortunately that's me, though I guess I haven't tested my 1rm in a while.

[rancid_theclash]

I rep close to my max in bench but my max squat is much higher than what I rep in squats

[IronOynx]

Im the same way op. I barely rep 315 2 times but my max is 350

[Norse1308]

Im the same way op. I barely rep 315 2 times but my max is 350

Hm, 2 reps @ 90% of your max isn't TOO far off I don't think.

[allergic2rice]

I know a few guys who can throw up 225 for 10-12 reps but can hardly max at 285. Alternatively, I know one guy who maxes at 310 but falls short after 6 reps of 225.

Last week I squatted 245 for 10 with a couple reps left in the tank. That same workout -- before that set -- I had to grind out a single at 295.

When I was benching 160 for 5, my max was maybe a slow 180. I'd say yeah, you have a fairly unusual distance between them. It's likely that the bench elevation plays a factor, though, too.

this.
I think I can get 245 for like 8-9? But I can do 315x3

[justinvb_657]

Curious what is regulation bench height?

Also doesn't seem far off to be at all 165 is about 75% of ur 1rm on heavyer days we do-

1x6x75%
1x4x85%
1x2 (or failure)x95%

Seams to be working well for us so far I would assume if u can't do 2@95% then a 5-3-1 scheme would be better