Can Tank really bench 620 lbs.? (ATTN. Ground Control)

[Atomic]

Biz--

I've never been that strong on bench, really. In high school, the best I did was 270, but I trained differently back than as opposed to now. I used to do 3-4 sets with 8 reps, which worked out great for my legs, as I could squat over 500lbs. OTOH, my chest just isn't the same and doesn't respond well to that rep range. Now I usually do 5X5 (5 sets, 5 reps), 6X4, and 5/4/3/2/1 (last is one the number of reps per set). My most recent workout I did 245x5, 250x5, 255x5, 255x5, and 260x3. No big deal. In the end, I'm still more impressed by overhead presses, C&J, snatches, and squats. BP really isn't that important or indicitive of true strength.

I'd probably be further along if I didn't have surgery last fall, which threw me off for at least 3-6 months.

Atomic

[EJ]

I pushed 250 @ 185 lbs.

It was part of a pyramid program, on the 5th set... so maybe I could have maxed 275.... maybe.

Now I can probably max out at 225!!! I havent touched weights (except 30# dumbells) in a year or more.

[The Colonie Crusher]

Well.....

The most I ever benched was 275 lbs. for a max out when I was 195 lbs. But that was without a pause, so competition style, I could probably do less. Also I have very long arms, so powerlifting isn't the best sport for me...that's why I box!

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

Im 125 and I can bench 175-180, yeah I know
PATHETIC

[GROUND CONTROL]

Rock Ape I would guess that he can bench even more than 680. I believe that he must bench over 700 to push that weight for reps.

Ober- Anthony Clark could do it for sure. But he would have to lose about 100 lbs to weigh 280.

[The Colonie Crusher]

This one guy I seen on 'Real TV' has the record for doing 720lbs. for a max out. he did it in a competition. He also had a bench shirt on. Ground Control, how much does a bench shirt add to your bench would you say?

[Biz]

Yella Tiger, if you only weigh 125, then benching 180 is GOOD!

And yeah, benching isn't a true test of strength, as different factors make it tougher for others.

Benching is a stronger point for me. One thing I can't do is curl! I can only curl about 100 pounds. It's a combonation of weak wrist and terrible biceps. I been working hard on them for a while and still no results...

[Ronin]

I'm starting to think that non-sport-related weight lifting is a waste of time and energy and a sign of vanity.

Of course, it helps that I'm naturally big, strong, and muscular, with a physique like a "Greek God"...

Oh, wait, that's Ken Shamrock I'm thinking of...

Never mind!

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

Well at my weight 180 may be "good" but think how good it would be if I had lets say....a 200 lbs bench?

[rockinronnie]

Tank Abbott

I don't know about 620 or 650 (whatever it was), but 500 sounds more like it - in free weights. Maybe 600+ on the universal gym or similar.

I don't think he's taking any performance enhancing drug. Just to look at him, he looks like a big strong (naturally looking) brute.

Ober - I'm curious - are you into kinesics? If so, are you a student, or a doctor? Or, do you just read alot about the subject? You sound well versed in this area.

Ronnie.

_______________________________
A straight arm's still a broken arm - Master JPF

[Oberleutnant]

Rock Ape: I'll take your word for it; from your past posts you don't seem like the kind of guy to BS. But that is truly some world class strength this guy you speak of does, if he really peformed what you described.

rockinronnie: I'm not quite sure what you meant by 'kinesics' ! (the definition of kinesics is "the study of body motion as related to speech" )

In regard to exercise physiology and weights; A little of everything Student, long time recreational practitioner and read books/attended particular seminars of notables that piqued my interest. (I'm HERTSWENIP on the mma.com S & C forum). Other than that, I'm nobody.


______________________________

"BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP BUY UGLY GOES STRAIGHT TO THE BONE!"

[GROUND CONTROL]

The shirt actually aids you in getting the bar off your chest. Most shirts won't even allow you to touch your chest unless the weight is extremely heavy. It is this rigidness that helps "spring" the weight off your chest. Some people claim that a good bench shirt can add 40 to 50 lbs to a lift. I think that the number is more like 20 to 30.

You must train with the shirt on and find your "groove" with it. If you don't it can be a hinderance. It effects the plane that the bar travels in, so you must be comfortable with the shirt on before compeeting in it.

Most people wear a looser shirt to train. Then they put on the super tight shirt for their one rep maxs. My friend attempted 540 the other day with his competiton shirt on. It took 3 of us to get the shirt on him. And his opening attempt of 500 he couldn't even get down to his chest becasue the shirt wasn't seated properly on his body. After somemore tugging and pulling we got it right and he hit his last 2 attempts of 525 and 540.

[L3FTH00K]

Answear me this, Is it just me or can everyone bench press more on a decline bench?

[Oberleutnant]

L3ft Hook: When neuromuscular coordination in the individual to decline pressing comparable to their coordination in level pressing has been achieved, yes, it's very normal.

[GROUND CONTROL]

Ober is right. In layman's terms the decline bench actually mimics flat benching with a big arch in your back or lifting your ass off the bench when you lift. Not to mention the bar has less distance to travel when on the decline bench.