Past the hump!

Gearloose · 13-Dec-05, 11:21 PM

Perseverance pays off!

Tonight I benched 225 lb for one rep! It took three attempts. but I got it on the third try without anyone else touching the bar.

I started out warming up with an empty bar for a dozen reps.

I then worked my way up:

185 lb x 3 reps

195 x 1

205 x 1

215 x 1 (This was my first time at 215, and it felt pretty good!)

Then I went for the goal.........

I stripped off the small weights and slapped on another pair of 45 lb plates. This was mainly for the psychological lift. Yeah, I could have just slapped another 5 lb on each side, but..........

First attempt: Lift off felt real good. I moved the bar out and into position over my chest. So far, so good--no shaking. I lower nice and smooth. I start to push up and the bar raises about 4 inches and stops! I'm stuck! I just move the bar back over my head and set it on the safeties. My wife is there to spot, but can't help lift that far.

I take a five minute break and try again. This time, the bar goes about half way up before I get stuck again. This time, one of the other guys is there to help spot and rack the bar.

I'm sitting there recovering and planning to try again. A guy on the bench next to me offers to let me try on his bench. He was on the "good" heavy rock solid bench. so, after a good 5 or 6 minute break while I wait for him to finish a set, I'm ready to try again. This time, he's spotting me. I instruct him not to touch the bar unless I get stuck and ask for help. This time the bar goes down, then it comes right back up! It was a bit of work on the last half of the movement up, but the bar never stopped moving up and didn't wobble all over the place!

Woo-Hoo! 225 lb!

That was the first time, but I guarantee you it will not be the last!

**threenorns** · 13-Dec-05, 11:55 PM

WOOHOO, indeed!!!!!! way to freakin' go!!!!!

Mr VW · 14-Dec-05, 12:42 AM

nice job, way to go.

**.V.** · 14-Dec-05, 08:36 AM

Way to go man...What's next?

Gearloose · 14-Dec-05, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_welch503

Way to go man...What's next?

Just keep on pushing the goals out a little further.

Immediate goal over the next few weeks: Bench press reps at 225.

Intermediate: Add 10lb to my bench press & squat every 5-6 weeks

Long range:
(1 year, more or less) bench 315 & squat 405.
Next summer: cut the BF % down to under 10% and get a tan.

**.V.** · 14-Dec-05, 10:31 AM

Sounds like a plan.

:

Bearbait · 14-Dec-05, 12:38 PM

Congrats, won't be long and you will have three plates on there with your motivation. Good luck.

**LiftGirl** · 15-Dec-05, 01:41 PM

Good job, Gearloose!

neopianpro · 16-Dec-05, 08:05 AM

good job ;-)

Gearloose · 16-Dec-05, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the support, everyone!

Tomorrow (Saturday) is my next scheduled upper body workout. I'm looking forward to doing it again!

The goal right now is to slowly build reps at 225, then at the end of January or first of February, add 10 pounds and do it again.

Gearloose · 17-Dec-05, 04:30 PM

Just an update:

My bench press goal today was to do more than 1 rep at 225 lb. I did it! I did two reps, and it really felt good with none of the sticking from the first time the other day.
Next Tuesday - go for 3 reps at 225!

:

Today's sets-

Bench Press:

185 x 3
205 x 2
215 x 2
225 x 2

Decline Bench:

185 x 10
185 x 8
185 x 8
(I'm raising this to 195 next session)

Incline Bench:

135 x 6
135 x 6
135 x 5
(I'm making gains in my inclines, but still have a ways to go.)

**threenorns** · 17-Dec-05, 11:41 PM

anyone else care to say that ppl slow down with age? here's proof that's a lie right here!