The high rep BENCH thread

[KickerNine]

With MAJOR props to Dan C:

No matter which way you slice it, high rep benching is HARD WORK. Arguably, the MOST difficult thing you can do in the gym. Whether you are on the "table" or taking a breather before the descent of your next rep, there is NO escaping that weight! There is NO rest. There is NO quit.

We can talk about the release of hormones, growth factors and a myriad of other physical benefits commonly associated with benching, but common sense tells you that when you work hard (and I mean REALLY hard) on top of the flat bench, certain changes take place in your mind and body. That wobbly-armed, burning chest, profuse sweating, out of breathness you get after a high rep set of bench presses really is doing you GOOD. Subconsiously, you know it! And when you complete your desired number of reps, despite your minds' best attempts to tell you to quit, it's a significant personal victory.

What I propose is a challenge. A challenge to the members of Discuss Fitness, to challenge yourselves.

2 or 3 times a month, put your will power to the test - do a set of high rep bench presses - before, after or AS your workout. 15 reps or more. Let's see how far we can push ourselves. Post your results here.

And if you're wondering what brought on this post (aside from Dan C's high rep squat thread), I recently had a workout that I was particularly proud of. Two days ago I benched 225lbs for 15 reps. It took me around 25 seconds. 25 seconds of constant battle with my own mind who was telling me to quit.

I won.

And I am mildly sore today.

[KickerNine]

Seriously, now that my focus has shifted to the July 1 Lift and Run (where I have to bench bodyweight for reps and then run a 5K), I have started to add volume to my bench routine. So on Monday, weighing 190 (although I am cutting down to 175), I put 225 lbs on the bench to see how I currently stack up against the NFL prospects who must bench that weight for reps at the annual scouting combine. I got it up 15 times clean (no bouncing or short arming). I was rather pleased with the effort (better than 30% of the elite prospects tested at the NFL Combine).

Anyone care to join in the fun?

[luke.w]

last thursday (the day after my 40rep squat), I felt a desire to get my chest feeling sore like my legs.

after some low-reps on the floor press I did this-

dumbells 40's x10incline flyes, x10 incline presses in 1-set, no putting the bells down. This is the first time in years (I did this once months ago, 10flyes/2-presses) I've done flyes or presses, I had just started to lose my form on the last rep.

I loved it, and I'm going to use a system here, since I'm using 40's, I'll work up to 20flyes/20presses in 1-set, to equal 40reps with a pair of 40's, and do the same all over with 50's ect. ect.

I like this thread.

Right before I went on vacation I did 135x28 reps at a BW of 178 lbs. Not alot of weight but a starting point for me. I'll be stopping by.

[Firehawk]

This thread is fine but it's far more impressive in my opinion, to do high rep squats or high rep full body/lower body exercises.

[KickerNine]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

This thread is fine but it's far more impressive in my opinion, to do high rep squats or high rep full body/lower body exercises.

I agree that high rep squats are much more demanding. Then again, we already have a thread for that. I thought that this would be fun.

Today, 185 x 25.

[KickerNine]

Lift and Run was yesterday. Managed to get bodyweight (185) 27 times. New PR for bodyweight reps (besting my 25 rep performance at 175 at last year's Arnold).

Great job! That is some serious muscular endurance.

What was your time on the run? If it was a PR, post up in the running/speed walking PR thread we have here.

Have a great day!

[KickerNine]

Originally Posted by pierini

Great job! That is some serious muscular endurance.

What was your time on the run? If it was a PR, post up in the running/speed walking PR thread we have here.

Have a great day!

Thanks. Time was slow on the run. Three minutes slower than at the Arnold in March. So no PR. But then again, I didn't train for the run. Pleased that I could still run under 8 minute/mile without cardio training. I have to train cardio for my next competition so hopefully I will have a PR to post in that thread in the coming weeks.

[.V.]

Like the high rep squat thread. I won't be joining in, but good luck to those of you who wish to follow along.

Have fun.

[MostMuscle]

225lb x 17 reps last week. Not easy for me, but what a pump afterwards!

[xtremetris]

225 12 times yesterday.

[Gooseneck]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

Like the high rep squat thread. I won't be joining in, but good luck to those of you who wish to follow along.

Have fun.

I agree. I do believe this is good to incorporate into your training agenda, I refuse to post numbers on the internet because it undoubtably results in disbelieving, critizizing, and accusations with no way to prove otherwise.

But yall have at it.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

I refuse to post numbers on the internet because it undoubtably results in disbelieving, critizizing, and accusations with no way to prove otherwise.

I dont believe you. Prove it

[Gooseneck]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

I dont believe you. Prove it

I dont believe that you dont believe me. You prove it.