Journey, Not A Destination

maleficent said:
it's just bounce off my boobs :)

Besides -there's no freakin' way I would ever attempt the weights you bench... at least not yet anyhow - though there is a very competitive side of me :D
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Hahaha, that's why I said relative to me. It't not a matter of the weights I use compared to the weights you use. It's all relative to what your strength. And what feels okay in terms of intensity today, could be a challenge to you on another.... so be careful is all I'm saying.

And I'm not trying to be a nervous nelly, trust me. It's just something to keep in the back of your mind, but not worry about to the extent that it slows progress.

You're smert, you'll be fine.

And I'm the bench press champion. :p
 
oh i know that - just doing shoulder presses - some days my pathetic 12lb dumbbells are too much -and others - it's just right...

And I'm the bench press champion.
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::must resist urge to be competitive::
 
maleficent said:
::must resist urge to be competitive::
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Even if you were naturally super strong in the bench press, I have the almighty advantage of being male.

Male = superior muscular development/mass in the upper body.

More muscle = ability to handle heavier loads.

:p
 
i so like the way you think - :)

Prepare for total bench press domination .. (in about 2 years :) covered in ice cream of course :D

what was your last bench press -like 500lbs?

Though somehow in my twisted little mind - I wanna be able to bench press -or at least move - what I used to weigh :)
 
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Moving a lot of weight usually doesn't come in the form of the bench press, relatively speaking. Deadlifts are normally where the big weights are.

My last bench press was 335, with room in the tank.
 
I haven't quite gotten my head or body for that matter around a dead lift yet -

No matter what weight I use - the only place I feel anything is in my back - so i know I'm not doing it right but eh - took me close to year to figure out how to do a squat -the deadlift shouldn't take me THAT long...
 
Steve,

Hubby and I have been doing our bench presses etc using dumbbells at home and I haven't asked him, but since you all are talking this stuff I thought I'd ask you. We just signed up for a gym membership yesterday online and can start using the facilities today. With that said, I'm sure I'd rather do bench presses using a barbell rather than dumbbells. Is it harder to do bench presses with a barbell or a dumbbell? And, if I'm benching 22.5 lbs per arm with dumbbells do you think it's likely I could do more with the barbell? Or is my reasoning flawed?

Thanks!

Tasha
 
My last bench press was 335, with room in the tank.
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I'm impressed! I managed to get myself up to 65 and got all excited ~ I couldn't imagine that amount of weight (never mind that due to my gender I will never get even close anyway :))
 
maleficent said:
I haven't quite gotten my head or body for that matter around a dead lift yet -

No matter what weight I use - the only place I feel anything is in my back - so i know I'm not doing it right but eh - took me close to year to figure out how to do a squat -the deadlift shouldn't take me THAT long...
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Sounds like you're only pulling with the back and not using your hip extension. Think about squeezing your butt to make your pelvis come forward toward the bar.

That's very rudimentary.... but
 
photocrazed said:
Steve,

Hubby and I have been doing our bench presses etc using dumbbells at home and I haven't asked him, but since you all are talking this stuff I thought I'd ask you. We just signed up for a gym membership yesterday online and can start using the facilities today. With that said, I'm sure I'd rather do bench presses using a barbell rather than dumbbells. Is it harder to do bench presses with a barbell or a dumbbell? And, if I'm benching 22.5 lbs per arm with dumbbells do you think it's likely I could do more with the barbell? Or is my reasoning flawed?

Thanks!

Tasha
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Hmmm, which is harder?

I'm not sure I can answer that.

In general, barbells allow you do use more weight. Reason is, there's not as much stabilization going on, since both arms aren't moving freely. That said, I'd shoot for using just the bar for starters. See how that feels..... it will be 45 lbs. If it feels light, keep adding weight to the bar in small increments until you find a weight that seems challenging.

Once you find that, you found yourself your starting weight for the next workout.
 
ali.smedley said:
I'm impressed! I managed to get myself up to 65 and got all excited ~ I couldn't imagine that amount of weight (never mind that due to my gender I will never get even close anyway :))
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I know some guys who put up much more than that.....

But not natural.

Although I'm sure they exist. I just don't see them in my gym. :)
 
Wow, I would love to see that!

One thing I noticed when I increase the weight on a bench press is that my arms move from side to side until I get used to the weight...I assume this is normal as my body is adjusting to the new load...
 
ali.smedley said:
Wow, I would love to see that!
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There is pictures of me benching 315 on my website.

One thing I noticed when I increase the weight on a bench press is that my arms move from side to side until I get used to the weight...I assume this is normal as my body is adjusting to the new load...
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Are you using dumbbells?
 
No I use the bar...it is only the first time I try a set with an increased weight...it is a slight shifting (nothing dramatic) from side to side as I move through the rep and once I get used to the weight, it disappears.
 
ali.smedley said:
No I use the bar...it is only the first time I try a set with an increased weight...it is a slight shifting (nothing dramatic) from side to side as I move through the rep and once I get used to the weight, it disappears.
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Yea, breaks in form are bound to happen when you start moving into uncharted territory in terms of weight lifted.

As long as you get acclimated to it quickly, that's fine. If not, you're probably being too aggressive.
 
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