The Official 2012 Ov35 "Body Weight Bench" Competition

[acrawlingchaos]

In the spirit of the previous Ov35 strength competitions, I bring to you the "Body Weight Bench". Rules are simple, bench press your current body weight (75% for women) for as many repetitions as possible.

. Must be flat a bench, using an Olympic bar (no incline, decline, or dumbbell bench press).

. Style of bench is left to the individual, BUT, you must maintain two point of contact with the bench (upper back and glutes).

. The weight must come within an inch of your chest for each rep, "bouncing" of the weight off the chest is not allowed. A full extension is required at the top of the movements and a full range of motion is needed.

go to this thread for an example of the preferred video angle and the required range of motion.

. Cadence of the set is left up to the individual.

. Spotters are allowed for racking weight only. Individuals must unrack weight themselves. If a spotter touches the last rep before lock out, it will not be counted.

This is a video competition. All entries must be taped and must clearly show the weight on the bar. The video should be taken from in front of you at, bench level and should clearly show you maintaining two points of contact with the bench. Make sure your spotter (if you use one) does not obstruct the camera's view. The spotter's hands should be clearly away from the bar.

This competition will run from now until the end of June. There is no weight class for obvious reasons and there is age category, this is all for the glory. This post will be updated with all entries and placed in order.

Male entries will be based on 100% of their current body weight

Female entries will be based on 75% of their current body weight

Best of luck to everyone who enters.

DEMIKE EDIT: I will rep top two or three men and women from this at the end. I'll decide if I will do top two of each or top three of each sometime.



MALE ENTRIES.

Boathead IN!
Payton1221 IN!
Flex IN!
Heatwave13 IN!
Getsum IN!

FEMALE ENTRIES
Discdoggie IN!
Erinlee01 IN!

[discdoggie]

In!



Is our bodyweight done on the honor system, or is an on-camera weigh-in required?

[erinlee01]

I'm getting close to repping 75% of bodyweight, so in!

[boathead]

In!

[HairyScandinavian]

Cool idea. My bench sucks so I'll watch from the sidelines.

[Payton1221]

The weight must come within an inch of your chest for each rep, "bouncing" of the weight off the chest is not allowed.

How about at the top? I've taped myself, and my range of motion at the top looks questionable.

[LisaSkinnoble]

FLEX is in! He should have a preliminary entry video tomorrow.

[heatwave13]

Yeah, this should be interesting....I'm fairly light, so hopefully I can crank out a decent number. I think I'm also doing the 225 bench for reps NFL combine style. Don't we have a topic on that somewhere, or am I just dreamin that up?

[boathead]

i'll kick it off with the first vid. this was two days ago.

bw 159 bar 160

x21. and yeah, i'm a little short of the full ROM at the top. it's like any nfl combine vid i've seen.

[acrawlingchaos]

In!
Is our bodyweight done on the honor system, or is an on-camera weigh-in required?

Honor system. This is just for the friendly competition. Though I will most likely bring a scale when I do this after my cut.

I'm getting close to repping 75% of bodyweight, so in!

Can't wait to see the video.

Cool idea. My bench sucks so I'll watch from the sidelines.

Or.... you could use this as a way to progress . Trust me, my showing will be embarrassing compared to Boathead, but an early video here will be a great way to continually beat ME. When all is said and done, the only person you have to worry about out doing.... is yourself.

How about at the top? I've taped myself, and my range of motion at the top looks questionable.

Just work within your best range of motion. You don't have to lock out, but it should be close. Throw a video in, if it's too ugly... I'm sure the critics will let you know. Welcome aboard.

FLEX is in! He should have a preliminary entry video tomorrow.

Tell him that he can stop after he hits 100 reps.

Yeah, this should be interesting....I'm fairly light, so hopefully I can crank out a decent number. I think I'm also doing the 225 bench for reps NFL combine style. Don't we have a topic on that somewhere, or am I just dreamin that up?

I will be doing that one as well. The topic was discussed, but the thread was never formally started.

i'll kick it off with the first vid. this was two days ago.

bw 159 bar 160

x21. and yeah, i'm a little short of the full ROM at the top. it's like any nfl combine vid i've seen.

Mirin..... bad ass entry to start things off. Now start bulking for crying out loud. Hey Payton.... these reps look pretty good and is about what I am expecting. Besides, all the final reps are at full lockout. Gotta take them breathers.

[acrawlingchaos]

Here is my own preliminary video. 180x12.

I won't have an "official" entry for a few weeks, when I become "of age". My goal is 30 reps by the end of the competition.

[Getsum]

I'm in, I'll work on a video when I have a chance.

[Payton1221]

Just work within your best range of motion. You don't have to lock out, but it should be close. Throw a video in, if it's too ugly... I'm sure the critics will let you know.

Hey Payton.... these reps look pretty good and can is about what I am expecting. Besides, all the final reps are at full lockout. Gotta take them breathers.

I can't view Tom's video (at work), but I've seen it before. Our ROMs are similar. I normally don't flat bench for fear of a shoulder issue recurring, but for the competition . . . I'M IN!!!

ACChaos, 30 reps would be super sweeeeet! I got 23 reps but on a decline Monday night. I'll probably be lucky to get 18-19 flat, but I'll try.

[Getsum]

i'll kick it off with the first vid. this was two days ago.

bw 159 bar 160

x21. and yeah, i'm a little short of the full ROM at the top. it's like any nfl combine vid i've seen.

Great job man, you were grinding them out.

Here is my own preliminary video. 180x12.

I won't have an "official" entry for a few weeks, when I become "of age". My goal is 30 reps by the end of the competition.

Great job and nice spotter!

[induced_drag]

i'll kick it off with the first vid. this was two days ago.

bw 159 bar 160

x21. and yeah, i'm a little short of the full ROM at the top. it's like any nfl combine vid i've seen.

This looks like fun....but we are running a slippery slope on the ROM. While I can appreciate repping out.....it is hard to call those real reps for a competition. ( I see you noted that too)

If you look at where the weight stops on your first bunch of fast reps, the 10lb plate comes right up to the upper corner of the screen. Later in your reps, as you tire a little, you slow down and do full reps. Now you can see the 10lb weight comes up much further, almost to the bar. At real quick glance, it looks like almost a 3" difference in ROM between the first fast reps...and latter full reps.

I can understand from a workout perspective why one might do it this way, (always keeping tension on the muscle) but for a competition I think we need to tighten up on what is a real rep.

Same with coming all the way down. The weight has to touch the chest, or it is not a bench press. Almost like doing a 1/2 squat competition....a little silly.

Boathead....still impressive....and just so you know I am not busting your chops....I do the same thing on my rep out sets.... but for a competition, I think we need to have a little tighter standards.

[acrawlingchaos]

This looks like fun....but we are running a slippery slope on the ROM. While I can appreciate repping out.....it is hard to call those real reps for a competition. ( I see you noted that too)

If you look at where the weight stops on your first bunch of fast reps, the 10lb plate comes right up to the upper corner of the screen. Later in your reps, as you tire a little, you slow down and do full reps. Now you can see the 10lb weight comes up much further, almost to the bar. At real quick glance, it looks like almost a 3" difference in ROM between the first fast reps...and latter full reps.

I can understand from a workout perspective why one might do it this way, (always keeping tension on the muscle) but for a competition I think we need to tighten up on what is a real rep.

Same with coming all the way down. The weight has to touch the chest, or it is not a bench press. Almost like doing a 1/2 squat competition....a little silly.

Boathead....still impressive....and just so you know I am not busting your chops....I do the same thing on my rep out sets.... but for a competition, I think we need to have a little tighter standards.

You make a valid point. What would your personal suggestion be? Anyone else, having a consensus would be nice. I personally like the idea of a stricter standard, any opinions as to having my video as being the standard for ROM?

[induced_drag]

Your vid looks like good ROM. No need for pause....just touch chest....no bouncing and full extension. I mean this is after all a friendly thing anyway....no need to get too complicated.

On a side note, your bench form is something you might want to look at. A rom with your elbows rotated in slightly more will be easier on your shoulders in the long run. Yours is a good one to stress the chest but can be hard on the shoulders.

[waldopepper]

In the spirit of the previous Ov35 strength competitions, I bring to you the "Body Weight Bench". Rules are simple, bench press your current body weight (75% for women) for as many repetitions as possible.

My gym doesn't allow cameras. I weigh about 170. I've been making good progress on my bench (for a 47 year old man anyway). 155 lbs felt like my max at the beginning of the year. I pumped out 7 @ 185 lbs yesterday - I was pretty happy with that. I'm just glad I can lift my body weight! At least I got rid of my bird chest.

[Payton1221]

I'll probably be lucky to get 18-19 flat, but I'll try.

. . . but for a competition I think we need to tighten up on what is a real rep.

In light of the above, I'd like to revise my estimate to "I'l probably be lucky to get 8-9" (not srs)

[Smelly bull]

Nice job acc,,,this should be interesting. I am just cranking up a heavy bench cycle, so rep work will be out for awhile.....maybe in the late spring. Good luck everyone...

[Payton1221]

Here's my inaugural entry (and I've left plenty of room for improvement) FWIW, this is my first attempt at flat benching in months, and I'll save you the trouble of counting: TWELVE

[cowboybiker]

Wondering if I'll have time to lose 15lbs

[boathead]

good stuff, peeps. i'm all for whatever is decided on the ROM...i knew mine was short. probably full lockout is best....no real room for debate with that.

[acrawlingchaos]

good stuff, peeps. i'm all for whatever is decided on the ROM...i knew mine was short. probably full lockout is best....no real room for debate with that.

Great, I wanted to hear your opinion before I responded, since this was originally your idea.

Full range of motion it is (as described by induced drag). I'll up date the 1st post to reflect that in the morning. Can't wait to see your next video Boathead and Payton. These early videos will be a great way to sort of a journal for your progress.

[Payton1221]

Can't wait to see your next video Boathead and Payton.

Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong. I'm winning this if I have to lose 30# and rep 135 thirty times







(definitely NOT srs)

[boathead]

Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong. I'm winning this if I have to lose 30# and rep 135 thirty times







(definitely NOT srs)

if the worst bulk in history continues pace, i got you easy. was 158 yesterday. i graduated from college in 1983 at 155. 3 lbs Lean mass in 28 years, ftw!

[Payton1221]

if the worst bulk in history continues pace, i got you easy. was 158 yesterday. i graduated from college in 1983 at 155. 3 lbs Lean mass in 28 years, ftw!

Lulz! Tried to rep you for literally making me LOL, but you're on spread. BTW, you may have seen in my journal I'm 162.5, so I'm breaking out the microweights for my next entry (100% srs, too!)

[litljay]

I may give this a shot in a couple weeks. My weight ranges from 188 - 192, so to be safe, I think I'll put 195 on the bar and see what happens.

[acrawlingchaos]

if the worst bulk in history continues pace, i got you easy. was 158 yesterday. i graduated from college in 1983 at 155. 3 lbs Lean mass in 28 years, ftw!

Speaking of.... I just started taking my creatine again, and I am one of those people that bloat real fast on it. I'll probably be close to 190 by the end of month. Lost a few reps going to 180, be a killer at 190.

I may give this a shot in a couple weeks. My weight ranges from 188 - 192, so to be safe, I think I'll put 195 on the bar and see what happens.

Just throw in a prelim video, regardless of what you get.

[Feek0713]

Based on where I am now, I should be at bodyweight bench by April or May, so I'm in.

Boathead, on that video you posted...yesterday I saw some guy doing the exact same ROM and cadence as you did. Something I was wondering: is that ROM a real thing, or do you have injuries that prevent you from going all the way up?