Guy benching 410lb at 154lb bodyweight

[Animal2692]

What you are doing is picking some outlier and using that in an attempt to try and prove an argument, but there are many fallacies with this, including:

- This guy is the exception, not the norm
- He's likely a bench specialist, who has perfected his technique moreso than most people
- Completely ignores the fact that if he were to gain 20-30 lbs, his bench would likely go up
- You can't compare person a to person b as evidence, since everyone is different in terms of genetics, training history, etc

I understand he's an outlier. What I'm trying to say is that seeing him has challenged my entire idea of progressive overload=size. He's got a massive bench press yet he's not very big. That means that getting stronger≠bigger, so I was going at hypertrophy completely ass backwards. I've been the type of guy to come across as a powerlifter but only caring for hypertrophy deep down. I've met others that were in the same trap where they only want size but they're going at it like a powerlifter because "progressive overload". The #1 reason why I've given up so many times and haven't been consistent past 3 years.

[tommy4life]

I don't read any bodybuilding literature but isn't it just "increase stimulas (more weight, more reps, etc) and gain weight (with adequate protein) and size will follow?"

[Animal2692]

I don't read any bodybuilding literature but isn't it just "increase stimulas (more weight, more reps, etc) and gain weight (with adequate protein) and size will follow?"

That's what I used to think. Massive fallacy, I learned firsthand. It's the other way around. Weight and reps come by themselves. You've got to completely let go of the weight and reps (still pick a rep range you want though). Proper form, proximity to failure for enough volume, adequate protein/calories is king.

[tommy4life]

Not sure I agree. Again I don't read anything but just from experience

Example A: lift 5×200 for 12 months + gain bw
Example B: lift 5×200 for 12 months (maintain bw)
Example C: lift 5×200 to 5×250 or 8×200 over 12 months+ gain bw

Isn't it obvious that example C is better for size gains then example A?

[MyEgoProblem]

Not sure I agree. Again I don't read anything but just from experience

Example A: lift 5×200 for 12 months + gain bw
Example B: lift 5×200 for 12 months (maintain bw)
Example C: lift 5×200 to 5×250 or 8×200 over 12 months+ gain bw

Isn't it obvious that example C is better for size gains then example A?

Or is it that you can lift more BECAUSE you got bigger/stronger?

By doing hard work over time that caused you to adapt and that let you lift more.

C is a great option because its you adding weight to keep up with your progress. Not the cause of it in and of its self

[tommy4life]

Or is it that you can lift more BECAUSE you got bigger/stronger?

I don't know

I've definitely seen people get stronger without adding bodyweight. Obviously there's a significant correlation between strength and bodyweight but upper body lifts seem to respond more to bodyweight then lower body lifts.
Like I said before, get stronger and add body weight. Not one or the other but both.

[BeginnerGainz]

I don't know

I've definitely seen people get stronger without adding bodyweight. Obviously there's a significant correlation between strength and bodyweight but upper body lifts seem to respond more to bodyweight then lower body lifts.
Like I said before, get stronger and add body weight. Not one or the other but both.

You’re also ignoring the skill component in getting “stronger” (moving more weight from point A to point B)