Bench Press Weight Percentage

[trapsandlats]

As gym goers we have all been asked the question," how much do you bench?" most of us know that its not necessarily about how much we can bench that determines the level of development we possess ( what most in the bbing crowd really want), I d sure most would agree that weight, no matter the exercise, is primarily a tool to promote development using various rep ranges, rep speed, control, form etc... although bbers know its not necessarily there bench that matters but, to a degree, " how much they look like they can bench", deep down though most would love to have a huge bench !! My question is not how much can you bench but rather " what percent of your body weight do you bench? "a powerlifter told me " if cant bench at least twice ur weight you cant bench shit.. " I am small guy 5 3 and 180 so I always fall short (no pun intended) compared to the 300lbers with the 500 lb bench. feel free to mention in ur other lifts too if u like.. dl and squat.. its not all about bench !!

[ubcpower]

i got asked the "how much do you bench" questino yesterday, just wanted to slap the guy. It all depends on form and rep tempo. If you do slow controlled reps with full ROM you can turn 225 in 315 pretty easy

[Stang20]

At my peek when i was using a powerlifting training plan I was benching 305, deadlifting 465, That was at 5'11 220lbs, now I am 195lbs benching 275.

[drfunknstein]

2x your weight is pretty F'n good for most dudes in the gym...especially the over 200lb crowd. I consider my bench pretty good...365 bench @ 215lbs. If "not benching shit"means 430lbs then I guessI can't bench at all.

[p.s.]

Who cares what a PL thinks?? I mean really can he/she diet down and get into contest shape? Probably not. Look if you can bench 1.5 times your current body-weight then from a BBing standpoint you're doing great, and particularly if you're getting 8 or more reps. I've known many great BBs who were not all that strong compared to how they looked and I've known some very very strong PLs who just looked like some fat ass.

The sports do cross over and back in the day many BBs/PLs did both sports, but ya don't see that happen to often anymore (there are a few exception like Johnny Jackson) as both sports are much more specialized than they were back then.

[smurtis]

well im not on any sauce but i can usally do 175lb almost my body weight (4 sets 8 reps ) ... i wish i could use 200lbs dumbells like ronnie coleman LOL hes a FkING BEAST ( How muc juice do you think he does ) i see he has a tackle box full of pills LOL and he probably spends about a hour a day poppin them :P

[p.s.]

Originally Posted by smurtis

well im not on any sauce but i can usally do 175lb almost my body weight (4 sets 8 reps ) ... i wish i could use 200lbs dumbells like ronnie coleman LOL hes a FkING BEAST ( How muc juice do you think he does ) i see he has a tackle box full of pills LOL and he probably spends about a hour a day poppin them :P

Being a great bencher/lifer has nothing to do with AAS etc and everything to do with genetics. If you're designed to be a great bencher then you'll be a great bencher no matter how much or little gear you take. As an example my "little wee" wife at all of 125 lbs could competition bench 170 as a natty and squat 315, but she's genetically built/gifted to be a lifter/bodybuilder. So quit worrying about how much ya lift or what anyone else can lift. Unless of course you're wanting to be a PL.

As far as Ronnie and his gear use goes WHO CARES!! Ronnie is a genetic freak and even as a natty he was a freak, and that is what it takes to be a top IFBB pro whether it was Scott, Sergio, Arnold, Haney, Zane, Jay or Dorian all had great genetics for their time and only a few were known as big lifters. Oh and all of 'em used gear to some extent.