Comments on: How Much Can You Bench? Who Cares!?

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:00:08 +0000

Totally agree on your point, but what I would find useful is a relative guide to weights for the major exercises. The purpose would be to show that I’m keeping things in proportion. So for example, for every ten pound you can squat you should be able to bench 9lbs, curl 2lb, etc. Particularly for relative novices like me it would be handy to have a rough guide that shows me I need to concentrate more on triceps and less on lats, for example.

By: SupplementPricing.com

SupplementPricing.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:59:48 +0000

I think we all need this reminder from time to time. I always try to tell myself “leave the ego at the door” when I find myself wanting to increase the weight when I know I shouldn’t. I guess it’s just a guy thing to want to look like we’re tough based on weight. I’d rather actually have the “LOOK”! And to do that, like Mark says, you really have to think differently. Thanks for the reminder Mark!

By: Benjamin Teal

Benjamin Teal — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:52:08 +0000

Mark,

Great post as usual. It drives me insane when someone in the gym asks me how much I can bench. The fact of the matter is that I don’t know, I can only estimate with one of those online calculator thing. I am not there to win the World’s Strongest Man Competition. I am there to get bigger, plain and simple.

Keep ’em coming.

By: monica

monica — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:16:04 +0000

Hah. GREAT post. Ugh, it’s my pet peeve when I see people bench pressing waaaay more weight than they can handle, backs arches, veins exploding out of their neck. I mean, if their goal in working out is to LOOK better, this is NOT the way forward.

By: Joerg

Joerg — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:42:11 +0000

So are so right Mark,
I know it, but it is really very hard to resist, trying to increase the weight.
I am training since 8 years in a Kieser-Training over here in Germany. They have a very similar phiosophy than you. Especially in regard to good form and reps, they say reps between 60 and 90 seconds alltogether and of course until failure.

Thank you for your reminder!!!
Best wishes from Germany, keep on with the good work.

By: Yavor

Yavor — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:24:21 +0000

Excellent advice here Mark. Lifting in the 8-12 range allows for a gradual micro-loading increase (say one rep more each workout) which in the end results in more muscle.

Yavor

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:19:54 +0000

Great to hear Jamie!
It echoes the success of so many other MuscleHackers. The truth can be annoying at first, but it pays BIG dividends 😀
Mark

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:06:56 +0000

lmao, great article and so true! I gave up ‘keeping up with the Jones’ when I got your free book. Mark, I’ve gained more muscle in the last month than the previous 8 months by following your advice on form and diet.
It’s so important but I never knew it. This happened to me, I was moving up the weights fast but eventually I had to admit I wasn’t growing. When I read your advice, I got the courage to lower the weights and really feel the muscle, then I grew! You are right 100% and now I know it.
J