Increasing Bench Max

[crash6934]

first of all i have never really tried to max out because ive been told that it does nothing for u excpet give u stats...... but i tried it today all i did was warm up with a set of 12 reps of 135 thenloaded 255 on and then 265 and pushed it out..... but is this the proper way to find ur max? also id like to get my max up to 300 by the end of the summer what is the best way to achieve this? like low reps lots of weight or what exactly

[Lee J B]

To achieve that goal, your probably going to find it easier to train for strength rather than the typical bodybuilding workout - progressive overload - which I bet is what you've been doing, right? To find your max I find the best technique is to find a weight that you can rep 3 times, keep doing this for a couple of sets, then do sets of one rep until your hit your max....then the next workout for this particular lift, take the poundage which you reached last time, and try to pull it, you should find it a little easier since you wont have done all them previous sets....if you manage to pull it you could be sure your only a few pounds away from your max... the idea is that you should only just be able to pull it, thus making it your ORM.

[Maxima]

Heavy sets, and very heavy negatives every so often on bench

[Alex(AJ)]

for a bodybuilder it's near pointless to max out on a benhc

[crash6934]

so if that is the best way to increase ur bench then what is the best way to build ur chest?

[Ch0r]

Incline bench !

[NateDogg]

Dumbbell presses seem to often be preferred (over barbell presses) for developing the chest.

[TsiTalon]

bench bench bench blah blah blah who cares . Everyone tries to determind how strong someone is from a bench press which i think is stupid.

[mike17]

what do u think is the best overall indicator of strength?

[Jakanden]

what do u think is the best overall indicator of strength?

I personally do not think it really matters. It seems to be more of an ego thing imo to try and find your one-rep max. It has no benefit to the body and it seems pointless. If you are making progress that should be good enough.

Just my opinion

[Lee J B]

You know what they say.....the only thing ego is good for is an injury.

[TsiTalon]

The first thing people ask me after they find out that i work out is "What do you bench?" I hate that ! I get these big guys that say oh i bench over 200lbs . i say yeah well i can leg press over 300lbs so what the hells your point?! You might be strong in ONE AREA but that doesnt mean anything. Just like Jakanden said its all about the ego which should be left at the front door.

[Alex(AJ)]

Originally posted by TsiTalon
The first thing people ask me after they find out that i work out is "What do you bench?" I hate that ! I get these big guys that say oh i bench over 200lbs . i say yeah well i can leg press over 300lbs so what the hells your point?! You might be strong in ONE AREA but that doesnt mean anything. Just like Jakanden said its all about the ego which should be left at the front door.

when people usually ask me I say 'eh, like 950pds' and watch them go

hehehe, it's fun to play with uneducated people

[TheBigness]

Originally posted by mike17
what do u think is the best overall indicator of strength?

DEADLIFt without question

[Maxima]

Originally posted by TheBigness
DEADLIFt without question

That's one of my strongest area so I'll give that a +1