FUK Misc... Is a 225 bench really just that hard for some people to hit?

[XPmpnII]

I don't get it... I've never fuking struggled with something so much. 225 feels so fuking heavy it's unreal. I can't figure out if it's some huge mental barrier or if I've got a weak point that's holding me back or what. The only thing I really know to try is to run smolov jr and see if I can get to it with that.

Are some people just not built to bench very big numbers? I do pretty good with dumbbell bench, but barbell is a different story... And it's not that barbell doesn't work my chest very well. It does, but it's hard to move up

Dem feels

In b4 everything is a weak point

[cheekyclap]

keep at it brah you need to improve your technique and it will come

started benching 185 for 10 6 months ago twice a week, now Im at 225 for 10 mostly imrpoved technique with slight increase in strenght/size

[Tsudo]

How's your form?

There was a guy on here the other day who claimed that switching to a power lifting form increased his bench by 30lbs.

If you're not already doing it, you might want to try it....

[cellmax]

it's not very big, just keep consistent and you'll overcome it easy.
That said bench always has plateaus but just stick at it, maybe try 531 if you're that concerned.

Such a good feeling hitting it for the first time though.

i can now press 2 plates for 20 reps

[JuiceMane01]

Don't mean to be a kunt but most people who dedicate themselves hit it pretty quick say about 6 months just really get your technique down and remember to throw in upper back work it really helps

[glenn777]

brb can deadlift 420 / barbell row 220+ but only bench 200 crew checking in.

[TreFo]

if u have monkey arms and an upper body as wide as a pencil then yeah ofc it's gonna a lot harder than that barrel-chested T-rex armed bro

[XPmpnII]

Maybe I need to look at changing my form then or something... Now I wish I would've took some videos since I benched last night

Hell, it could be an issue with form that I'm not even aware of.

[hxa]

Stop believing e-stats and comparing yourself with Miscers.

[mahousesn]

Technique, Technique, Technique

[Benny_Lava]

Stop believing e-stats and comparing yourself with Miscers.

whatever helps yourself sleep at night.

225 is not much at all for most after half a year of lifting. BUT, you'll notice something key.. 90% of the people responding saying its easy (ie. myself), will be 5'11" or less.

dunno how tall OP is, but I'm guessing over 6'

But it sure as chit isn't E-Stats.. 80% of dudes are under 6 feet, and for dudes under 6 feet with shorter arms 225 is no big feat at all.

[Johnnyfalcon731]

Doesn't take long with proper diet.. I managed to work my way up to it with the worse diet ever.. And also weighing 140 lbs.. Keep hustling cuz.. Eat lift and repeat.. Soon 225 will be a thing of the past.. Just takes time

[Notsogifted]

it's just a mental block. Build up to 200/210 for a while until you get comfortable with it, depending on how many times you train chest a week say 4 sessions, then start incorporating sets of 3-5 reps at 225, couple weeks after that go 5x5, the you can get comfy at 3x8-10. easy.


My biggest mental block is not being comfortable with the weight bringing it down initially and feeling my biceps contract to help hold it up. It's just the fact the weight is playing on your mind and you're struggling to focus your pecs/tris. Get a spotter to help it off the rack for you and hold it for a couple of secs before you attempt the first rep so that you can get comfortable, contract your pecs and control it on the way down. Repeat.

[l99]

My second week in the gym I was benching 350.

/misc

[Comboking]

switch it up
do db's 1 week, bb the other
then start with incline one week
then back to flat bench
try hitting twice a week, first would be heavy low rep, second is lighter(60-70%) at 8-12reps
took me about 8months to get to 225 incline bench x5(mind you at the peak of my bulk)
have not tried flat yet, but im sure i could get 245-265

[AgRyan]

Just keep at it, switch it up as others have said (grips/dbs/angle/etc).

Took me 3 years to get to 225. Then 1 year more to get to 315 and now I can get 225 like 15 times no problem.

[XPmpnII]

whatever helps yourself sleep at night.

225 is not much at all for most after half a year of lifting. BUT, you'll notice something key.. 90% of the people responding saying its easy (ie. myself), will be 5'11" or less.

dunno how tall OP is, but I'm guessing over 6'

But it sure as chit isn't E-Stats.. 80% of dudes are under 6 feet, and for dudes under 6 feet with shorter arms 225 is no big feat at all.

I'm like 5'7-8" brah

[JiP]

Your technique is probably bad dude.. take a video, if you change technique and hit it hard you'll probably get 225 soon. Some people do just suck at benching though

Also I think 1 year is a good standard for a 225lb bench, depends on the individual's background obviously

[Distance]

5'9 height with a 6'1 wingspan makes benching difficult. I can only bench 205 for 1 rep but can deadlift 365 for 5 reps.

[Soonerjohn]

I think it took about 6 months to hit that amount. Make sure you get enough protons err day.

[XPmpnII]

Your technique is probably bad dude.. take a video, if you change technique and hit it hard you'll probably get 225 soon. Some people do just suck at benching though

Also I think 1 year is a good standard for a 225lb bench, depends on the individual's background obviously

Do I need to get a video of me doing a weight for, say, 5 reps to really be able to judge my form or a one rep max or what?

[MiscinHard]

Watch this:

Get your technique down. Shoulders pulled together, weight on your traps, activate lats. Warm up properly (I personally don't go above the 5-6 rep range when doing warm-up sets, if you go to 10-12 even on "lighter" warmups you could be getting too fatigued). Make sure your programming incorporates good accessory lifts for your delts and tris.

We're all gonna make it brah.

[Comboking]

5'9 height with a 6'1 wingspan makes benching difficult. I can only bench 205 for 1 rep but can deadlift 365 for 5 reps.

i can confirm, deadlifting and flat benching is hard for tall brah's

[JeVreM]

hahaha only beta ******* specimans cant bench 225kg, easy for me LOL

[Critter5592]

The best thing anybody can do for improving their bench is track their weight/reps. This ensures you never plateau from a mental block, in fact it stops plateauing all together I would like to believe.

[LiftHeavy85]

Should only take a year of solid lifting to hit it, so not that big of a accomplishment

[Ronnie87]

How many Calories are you eating a day?

[TheKlaus]

If your goal is hypertrophy than don't worry about it. SRS, doing 185 x's 8 will do much more for your growth than 225 x's 1. Know how much I max on a barbell OP? I don't know either...

however, if 225 is a goal for you that you have been trying to reach and it feels heavy, I would think it has to do with your stabilization. I bet your chest can handle it but your forearms/triceps can't. Switch to DB Chest press for a while SRS good luck

[Benny_Lava]

I'm like 5'7-8" brah

mystery unsolved then

not sure man

form must be boinked, only thing i can think of.

[baize82]

3 things

1. Learn how to bench - the Dave Tate video posted above is great
2. Widen your grip - I do ring finger on the rings
3. Hammer your shoulders - heavy standing BB OHP, heavy DB seated

If that doesn't get you there, it's time to find a new hobby