If you could be an absolute monster with one exercise, which would you choose?

[EliKoehn]

Again, just for fun. Even if you're strong with everything else and train with well-roundedness, if you could be known for elite performance in one lift, which would you choose and why?

[radrd]

Tough one but strict OHP more than your bodyweight is impressive AF to me.

Big squat, bench, and deadlift are pretty common and not that interesting.

I'd also like to be able to knock out a lot of pull ups with ease.

[coachcalande]

Again, just for fun. Even if you're strong with everything else and train with well-roundedness, if you could be known for elite performance in one lift, which would you choose and why?

Front squats as my thighs would be massive….but I chose squats. Battling ACL/mcl and miniscus issues most of my years….wonder what could have been?

[air2fakie]

In the context of your Q, I guess BP just because that's the only number for which most people you come across, whether serious lifters, casual lifters or even cardio bunnies, will have any point of reference and understanding.

For example, even someone who Hammer Strengths 4 or 5 plates doesn't really have a good idea what that means IRL.

[ECGordyn]

OHP. Many links in the chain, and it's almost impossible to "muscle up" with brute force, it demands real strength + skill. So does squat

[mdonnelly80]

OHP; it's relatively easy for me to increase my lower body movements (deads, squats, front squats, RDLs, etc) as I'm built for it. Bench/incline can be a grind but there's a lot of ways to break through these plateaus. OHP is just different for me; I have to ramp up the volume on this exercise to break plateaus and keep moving forward.

[TheShadowMan]

Olympic lifts, hands down. For as beneficial as they are to strength, hypertrophy, speed, and overall development i'd love to excel at one of them.

[MyEgoProblem]

Log clean and press....

Or snatch, that's just stupid impressive when done well.

[BeginnerGainz]

The bodybuilder in me says “all of them”

Log clean and press....

Or snatch, that's just stupid impressive when done well.

But if gun to the head and forced to choose this

[jaxqen]

dumbell kickback for the w...

okay, landmine punch... if it would improve my KO power.

from the list, I oscillate between deadlift and row, assuming being a monster will that exercise would imply having a huge back.


and yeah, Log clean and press looks pretty great

[paulinkansas]

I went with OHP and Jenna.

[NMS3]

Easily OHP, I should really start doing it again. I remember how great it felt to finally hit 135lb on that lift. I know everybody on the misc is a professional power lifter that warms up with that weight on that lift, but it still was nice to finally rack 45s and strictly press it over.

[TolerantLactose]

Easily OHP, I should really start doing it again. I remember how great it felt to finally hit 135lb on that lift. I know everybody on the misc is a professional power lifter that warms up with that weight on that lift, but it still was nice to finally rack 45s and strictly press it over.

I ruined that moment for myself. I did warm-ups with 25s and added 5s and 10s on the way up. It was a choice of taking all the plates off for the 45s or be lazy. I chose lazy.

[EiFit91]

Bench press.

[supramax]

If you could be an absolute monster with one exercise, which would you choose?

(Full squat) clean and press (or push press) or the Snatch.

[joewattie]

Olympic lifts, hands down. For as beneficial as they are to strength, hypertrophy, speed, and overall development i'd love to excel at one of them.

I agree.

I was surprised that the bench press didn't poll better as it seems to be the "gold standard" around here.

I was also surprised that the overhead press polled so well. Not because it ain't popular but because many to most "cheat" it's hard to calibrate. Clean and Jerk would be a better measure.

Ditto with squats. Deadlifts would be a better measure.

Me? Because of age I've bad knees, bad back and only one good arm so I'd have to say a one armed snatch with an Olympic bar!

[Heisman2]

Squat for me as I've been dealing with knee issues ever since I tore my meniscus and it would be awesome actually overcome them. We'll see...

[GrouchyUSMC]

Since I'm guessing you mean max strength and not repping something out, I'm going with the clean and jerk.

[Strawng]

Bench press.

I'ma have to say this, cuza this...

that's the only number for which most people you come across, whether serious lifters, casual lifters or even cardio bunnies, will have any point of reference and understanding.

[bLinkMoore]

Squats are by far my favorite. I think partly because it's been the life that I've progressed the most on in the last few months, but also it's just so satisfying to grind out a heavy squat. Plus I just want to have big legs.

[EliKoehn]

I am also surprised at OHP leading the poll! Additionally that the deadlift fared poorly. Obviously it was my choice, but I thought others would want a monster deadlift above others.

To me, squat feels the most like a box to check, not something I relish but feel gratified having been diligent with.

And I didn't necessarily mean 1RM strength, just overall performance; but the vertical pull is really the only odd one out with that distinction unfortunately.

[Darkius]

Tough call between pull up and squat. Squat would let me run up stairs and mountains well. Pull up would be useful climbing rocks.

Why does everyone like bench press so much? All the glorification of pushups from a young age and the fact they can be done anywhere.

[Darkius]

Front squats as my thighs would be massive….but I chose squats. Battling ACL/mcl and miniscus issues most of my years….wonder what could have been?

I had no idea rear and front squats made that big of a difference in muscle development. I thought it was just a grip preference. Please explain more.

[EliKoehn]

Why does everyone like bench press so much?

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qim...0ea2cd0af3f265

[air2fakie]

Tough call between pull up and squat. Squat would let me run up stairs and mountains well. Pull up would be useful climbing rocks.

Why does everyone like bench press so much?

Because we always fall over backwards when we squat.

[MyEgoProblem]

I had no idea rear and front squats made that big of a difference in muscle development. I thought it was just a grip preference. Please explain more.

Unless you can get a much longer range of motion at the knee and still use as heavy enough load without your upper back giving out first...

In effect its no better for quad growth at all.
Supported by study and Annecdote.

Its just bro lore.

Hibar will do the job better for 95% of people, and if quad is the goal... Extensions or split squats still beat that

[Filmbuff81]

Bench press because everyone asks and my squat and deadlift are already “OK” and being able to bench an absurd amount and asking a random gym goer to spot my 400-700 pound bench would be hilarious.

[BeginnerGainz]

Unless you can get a much longer range of motion at the knee and still use as heavy enough load without your upper back giving out first...

In effect its no better for quad growth at all.
Supported by study and Annecdote.

Its just bro lore.

Hibar will do the job better for 95% of people, and if quad is the goal... Extensions or split squats still beat that

Or just put some wedges or blocks under your heels and high bar squat that way.

Or break out a safety squat bar

[jaxqen]

I am also surprised at OHP leading the poll! Additionally that the deadlift fared poorly. Obviously it was my choice, but I thought others would want a monster deadlift above others.

Me too.
Very few are very good at it, maybe that's why.
But it's not that popular because is not like OHP would give you a big chest or a big back or big legs, unlike bench, deadlifts or squats.
Mostly shoulders and many stabilizers.
And shoulders are a small muscle group and could be trained with exercises that don't have a high SFR, like OHP. Plus the fact that front delt is involved in horizontal/incline press and posterior delt is involved in rows and deadlifts.

Why does everyone like bench press so much?

Men secretly want to have big tits and wrecked shoulders.
Also, you need a spotter, so having another male looking down at you while you clench your anus is quite desirable for most men... it can bond an amazing friendship, especially if you both take a shower together after that.

[snailsrus]

Tough one but strict OHP more than your bodyweight is impressive AF to me.

Big squat, bench, and deadlift are pretty common and not that interesting.

I'd also like to be able to knock out a lot of pull ups with ease.

Body weight over head press I think may be easier when you don’t weigh 180+, I got to it my first year lifting

My gut reaction is to say deadlift. I would love to walk into the gym and pull 400lbs

But, as a female, I think being a beast at bench would be awesome