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A man bench pressed 1005 lbs this weekend
- Thread starter Devastation
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The Shadow
Guest
The REAL world record us 731.....Scott Mendelsen
supersizeme
New member
did he get it? looks kinda like he stalled at the top and then wasn't able to rack it. why don't i nitpick a guy benching half a ton a little bit more? that's amazing. i couldn't tell what he said at the end, but i'm pretty sure he was responding to some red karma he received early in the week by a guy in the audience. i think BENCHIN990 was like no man, you're not gettin it. have some red, nigga. then Gene was like SHIT.
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The Shadow
Guest
JerseyArt said:
Raw......yep...no shirt etc.
I could squat 550 if I only went down a inch and was wearing leg braces.
P.S. props to his Inzer and his spotters on an impressive lift.
P.S. props to his Inzer and his spotters on an impressive lift.
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The Shadow
Guest
seriously...his stroke was about 7-8 inches...thats like a 5-7 board press
Rottenwillow, sounds like you're hatin' on the man's lift 
I'll agree, the shirt might have added 100lbs or more, but I didn't see the spotters touch the bar till he had it locked, or close to locked. 900lbs of that lift was him. I really don't think you should hate THAT much on him, lol. Hell, just holding 1005lbs would be impossible for most of us, I bet you'd have trouble even standing upright with 550 on your back, much less squating it no matter what you were wearing 
I'll agree, the shirt might have added 100lbs or more, but I didn't see the spotters touch the bar till he had it locked, or close to locked. 900lbs of that lift was him. I really don't think you should hate THAT much on him, lol. Hell, just holding 1005lbs would be impossible for most of us, I bet you'd have trouble even standing upright with 550 on your back, much less squating it no matter what you were wearing
The Shadow said:
I actually posted that, but edited it out. It was less than 12 for sure.....he's got a barrel chest and flipper arms
RottenWillow said:
if the spotters touch the bar at all, the lift would be redlighted.
part of the art of being able to press more IS achieving a shorter stroke- arching your back, building thick lats and pecs, etc.
Whenever i hear people criticize bench shirts, i wonder if they have the same criticism for weightlifting belts in the olympics- they are used for safety and those lifters could not lift that weight without it. its an extra device. same with those full body swimsuits that swimmers sometimes wear to cut down on friction. even tennis rackets and golf clubs. some are better than others but nobody criticizes a player for using the top of the line expensive one if they win, rather than everyone having to use the same kind.
SlavikHavik
New member
Oh no no no no,
Here comes the bench shirt debate again.
Well ill say my piece before it gets started.
Faster skis, good tenis rackets, crazy golf clubs are ncessary because those elements are necessary to play the sport. You cannot ski without skis, or golf without clubs. You can bench without a shirt.
Then he cant lift it.
Now in regards to the actual lift.
Very sick. I remmber like two years ago there was a poll on the powerlifting board "Will anyone ever press 800lbs". haha. Wow, that bench record is moving like crazy.
Here comes the bench shirt debate again.
Well ill say my piece before it gets started.
Faster skis, good tenis rackets, crazy golf clubs are ncessary because those elements are necessary to play the sport. You cannot ski without skis, or golf without clubs. You can bench without a shirt.
Sugarplum said:
Then he cant lift it.
Now in regards to the actual lift.
Very sick. I remmber like two years ago there was a poll on the powerlifting board "Will anyone ever press 800lbs". haha. Wow, that bench record is moving like crazy.
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The Shadow
Guest
Sugarplum said:
....I have the same notion for wraps...elbow, knee and wrist....its a bullshit lift.
Pling is about "cheating" as much as possible and moving the weight.
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The Shadow
Guest
oh yeah - 100 pounds??
Nope - try more like 200-300
Nope - try more like 200-300
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The Shadow
Guest
lol
Dont get me wrong...this is NOT a rant about pling......its just that support makes a huge difference.
Dont get me wrong...this is NOT a rant about pling......its just that support makes a huge difference.
yes gear makes a difference. but it's like tv. if you don't like what's on turn it off and quit complaining
bodytemple75
New member
Impressive any way you look at it. With a shirt, without a shirt, with wraps, ect.... That man is a very strong individual IMO. Good for him.
BT
BT
wnt2bBeast
New member
The Shadow said:
come on really? some equipment is getting crazy more plys etc..
but wraps will give you a one time increase if youve never used them before..you will not get and infinite increase in your squat from using wraps..obviously shirts are a little different..
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The Shadow
Guest
Ish said:
No...but I bet your arms didnt hit bottom either now did it?
My brother-in-law has a denium shirt and it takes 185 for his arms to drop to parallel.
...and yes - warps will give you a boost that you could not get otherwise - thus my point is made.
wnt2bBeast
New member
The Shadow said:
right so say you get a 30 or 50 or whatever from adding wraps..any further increase is all you !!!!
wutangnomo
New member
Sure that's a helluva a lot of weight, but it isn't raw. He's performing an assisted bench; therefore, it isn't a real bench.
If I bench 500lbs using the smith machine, can I bench 500lbs using freeweight? Of course not. There will be a huge difference because of the mechanics involved. Once you remove the assistance (whether that be a shirt, smith machine, etc) that completely changes the dynamics of the lift.
If he were doing a raw lift he would probalby be lifting 700lbs give or take. Huge difference.
If I bench 500lbs using the smith machine, can I bench 500lbs using freeweight? Of course not. There will be a huge difference because of the mechanics involved. Once you remove the assistance (whether that be a shirt, smith machine, etc) that completely changes the dynamics of the lift.
If he were doing a raw lift he would probalby be lifting 700lbs give or take. Huge difference.
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The Shadow
Guest
LOL
To make a point...Im going to squat with a huge industrial spring under my ass and claim it as an official lift.
lol
To make a point...Im going to squat with a huge industrial spring under my ass and claim it as an official lift.
lol
wnt2bBeast
New member
yeah what a friggin wimp he prolly can only raw bench 700wutangnomo said:
what a loser
lol im outta here since i hate these arguments on the training board as well you guys have fun thoughwutangnomo
New member
wnt2bBeast said:yeah what a friggin wimp he prolly can only raw bench 700
what a loser
Why do you automatically assume I'm dogging him? Of course that's a lot of weight. NOBODY said it wasn't a lot of weight if you bothered to read and understand, but of course you took it that way because you are sensitive about your shirts.
Answer me this question. If he were not wearing a shirt, how much would he probably be able to bench? ..... exactly.
wnt2bBeast said:yeah what a friggin wimp he prolly can only raw bench 700
what a loser
i stopped arguing.
anyone other than powerlifters and olympic lifters don't understand obviously.
wnt2bBeast
New member
wutangnomo said:Why do you automatically assume I'm dogging him? Of course that's a lot of weight. NOBODY said it wasn't a lot of weight if you bothered to read and understand, but of course you took it that way because you are sensitive about your shirts.
Answer me this question. If he were not wearing a shirt, how much would he probably be able to bench? ..... exactly.
like i said im going to argue with anyone..realize poeple have different goals..but when someone that doesnt even bench half of what he does (and im not cutting on you because theres almost on one hear that will ever get near that #) comes on here and DIMINSHES someones accomplishment,shirt or no shirt..i take exception to it..i have never benched in a shirt..but i will tell you you dont put one on and then all of a sudden double your ench it doesnt work like that..again realize not everyone is a BB'er..thats all im saying
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The Shadow
Guest
wutangnomo said:Why do you automatically assume I'm dogging him? Of course that's a lot of weight. NOBODY said it wasn't a lot of weight if you bothered to read and understand, but of course you took it that way because you are sensitive about your shirts.
Answer me this question. If he were not wearing a shirt, how much would he probably be able to bench? ..... exactly.
Less than 1005......and knowing that the world raw record is 731 pounds...then Id have to say less than 731...which is a huge difference.
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The Shadow
Guest
wnt2bBeast said:
....dont you see...you take away the shirt it DOES diminish the lift...bottom line.
Everyone needs to chill......
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
I presume you train with Gene to know this?
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The Shadow
Guest
TheProject said:
...dont have too...thats what most manufacturers claim.....
if it doesnt, then he should shatter the RAW record.
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
If it's within the rules of the fed, it's hardly considered cheating.
wutangnomo
New member
wnt2bBeast said:
Diminish?? When I am stating FACT how is that dimishing anything? Because I am stating the TRUTH you consider it dimishing his accomplishment?
Of course he's strong as fuck. Stronger then I'll ever be and stronger then pretty much everyone else. NOBODY ever said otherwise.
We're simply stating this fact. If he were not to use a bench shirt would his poundage would be much less. Yes or no?
Moreover, if these guys were using smith machines in powelifting meets to do their "benches" would you still consider that a true bench? Yes or no?
Please answer those questions.
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The Shadow
Guest
TheProject said:
Thats why it was in quotations.....
wnt2bBeast
New member
im chill lolThe Shadow said:
yes i understand what you are saying..i do
i wouldnt say diminish only because how PL are using shirts, all of em
how many have pressed over a G?
thats all i was trying to get at..i think we can converse rather than have pissing contest like almost everything turns into on the training board, no?
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The Shadow
Guest
wutangnomo said:
Good points...but lets not get over-reactive to the situaion...thats goes for ewveryone
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The Shadow
Guest
wnt2bBeast said:
I agree.....it is an astonishing amount of weight.
I think the point is that certain shirts will add enormously to a lift......if it doesnt, why not train to break the raw record?
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The Shadow
Guest
Sugarplum said:
...again....the claims are 200 and up.
I personally know soemone who cant bring arms doewn to parallel with 185...so theres close to 200 right there
wutangnomo
New member
The Shadow said:
EXACTLY! Sure it's a "bench press", but it's not a true bench. It should be called an "assisted bench press" because that's what it essentially is.
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The Shadow
Guest
Oh look - a QUARTER....
LMAO
LMAO
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
I've never seen Inzer or Karin or Titan claim that their equipment adds any specified amount to any lift. I have seen testimonials from lifters that they have gotten X number of pounds, but that's an ignorant statement.
And like it or not...there's no money or interest in the raw record.
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The Shadow
Guest
TheProject said:
...so folks train to break records for strictly money then?
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
Clearly you're not qualified to speak on the subject.
Just because you can't get 185 to touch does NOT mean you get 185 pounds out of a shirt. That's ridiculous.
I can't touch 185 in my shirt, and you sure as hell don't see me getting 200lbs out of it.
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
Ego and money.
And it depends on the lifter, and what your personal goals are. You get to that level, you want to go to the WPO, Worlds, etc., cause that's where you make your name and your money.
You wouldn't see a top-level bodybuilder sticking to local shows just because he loves it.
wutangnomo
New member
Btw, I am chilled.... just like to type with capitals and punctuation to help emphasize the point better lol.
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The Shadow
Guest
Sugarplum said:
You arent benching a raw 700 either.....
you are getting 40 pounds...thats a 23% increase.....that makes a 700 bencher an 830ish one.
That aplies to you as well Project.
You have to look in terms of a percentage......
Clearly not Qualified??
LMAO
What a fucked up statement.....
Im qualified enough to know that if a bench shirt doesnt add that much then all the plers wouldn't be so fucking defensive about it.
Y'all have fun.
A few general remarks to no one in particular.
Lifters vary greatly in the amount of aid they dervive from bench shirts and squats suits. I dont know all the variables involved here, but I know that skeletal structure and technique are two important ones. Probably even brand and/or quality of shirt/suit is an important factor.
I'd like to see Oly and PL athletes without any shirts, suits, wrist or elbow wraps, or belts.
All the argument over the relative merit of this one guy's lifts supports my position. How much could he actually lift without the benefit of devices to support weak points and add force to the amount of work he could perform? None of us knows.
Lifters vary greatly in the amount of aid they dervive from bench shirts and squats suits. I dont know all the variables involved here, but I know that skeletal structure and technique are two important ones. Probably even brand and/or quality of shirt/suit is an important factor.
I'd like to see Oly and PL athletes without any shirts, suits, wrist or elbow wraps, or belts.
All the argument over the relative merit of this one guy's lifts supports my position. How much could he actually lift without the benefit of devices to support weak points and add force to the amount of work he could perform? None of us knows.
SuperShredder
New member
Congrats to gene,1005lbs is a shitload of weight.
Personaly, i couldnt take pride in a shirted lift, becuase i know that without the shirt i obviously wouldnt be lifting as much. Thats just MY opinion and i have nothing against people who do lift shirted.
Personaly, i couldnt take pride in a shirted lift, becuase i know that without the shirt i obviously wouldnt be lifting as much. Thats just MY opinion and i have nothing against people who do lift shirted.
wutangnomo
New member
The Shadow said:
Yup. Powerlifters hate to think of their lift as being "assisted" (those who use shirts that is). A shirt is assistance just like a smith machine is, yet if I were to claim to lift a shitload using a smith machine I'd get hammered for it.
Fast Twitch Fiber
New member
I've powerlifted for a long time. It used to be that a single ply shirt was good for at most 10%. This means a 600 lb raw would get 660 with a shirt. There have been so many improvements to the shirt technology as well as how the lifter wears them. For example, Rychlak wears an open back with the neck line pulled all the way down to his pecs. This makes a very strong seam and allows an extra tight shirt. Rychlak went out at the Arnold Classic and tried to open with 800+. He didn't have his shirt pulled down low enough and he got crushed with the bar. He then came back for his second lift with the shirt down low and actually lifted a heavier weight than what he had just been crushed with.
I don't want to diss anybody's strength, but when guys are lifting a weight with the shirt that they aren't even capable of lowering under control raw, it cheapens the sport. It took 15 years for the record to go from Ted Arcidi's 705 to Clark's 800 lbs. Now just 4 years later we're already at 1000? It' definitely something more than the lifters getting stronger.
I don't want to diss anybody's strength, but when guys are lifting a weight with the shirt that they aren't even capable of lowering under control raw, it cheapens the sport. It took 15 years for the record to go from Ted Arcidi's 705 to Clark's 800 lbs. Now just 4 years later we're already at 1000? It' definitely something more than the lifters getting stronger.
The Shadow said:
his incompetence is no claim to performance of the shirt he owns
RottenWillow said:
you'd be one of the only ones who would want to see it. you can go down to the local ymca and see that shit. this sport of powerlifting is about progress and records being broken. and people wear shirts and suits to lift because their competition is also wearing them. and if you don't compete then stfu about how much it "adds" becuz people who wear them understand why we wear them. we don't need bb's and people of elite chat debating if it's a real lift or not. you are meaningless to powerlifting as a sport. it left you behind years ago and i couldn't be happier
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The Shadow
Guest
Devastation said:
...that applies to Project as well then?
And I forgot to mention>......TO EACH HIS OWN.
God damn people. Whats good for the goose is not always good for the turkey. That came out wrong but do you get my point?
I dont give a flying poop what gene rychlak uses or johnny down the street. I'll do my thing and you do yours and we can live happily ever after!!
Now let the beatings continue until morale improves!
God damn people. Whats good for the goose is not always good for the turkey. That came out wrong but do you get my point?
I dont give a flying poop what gene rychlak uses or johnny down the street. I'll do my thing and you do yours and we can live happily ever after!!
Now let the beatings continue until morale improves!
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The Shadow
Guest
Lol
Bwahaha... Inzer condoms... as thick as those shirts are, it'd be dissatisfaction guaranteed. If you feel a damn thing you get your money back As for this thread... people's opinions aren't going to change. I still don't think the shirt gave him 2-300lbs, and I know, I've lifted with one and with dozens of plers who also used them, but if someone else thinks it could... maybe it can. Nice to argue though, I love arguements
As for this thread... people's opinions aren't going to change. I still don't think the shirt gave him 2-300lbs, and I know, I've lifted with one and with dozens of plers who also used them, but if someone else thinks it could... maybe it can. Nice to argue though, I love arguements
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
You cannot apply straight math to bench shirts or any other equipment; it doesn't work that way.
And until you buy a bench shirt that's fitted for you, learn to use it, and come back to tell us what you've gotten out of it, I'll stand by my statement that you're not qualified to speak intelligently about what they do and do not do. You want to come on here and talk about TUT or brown rice and tuna, or whatever, go right ahead.
What bothers me is that there are a bunch of people coming out of the woodwork who have NEVER trained as a powerlifter, have no idea about how equipment truly works, and they're holding raw training up as this bastion of purity.
The sport has evolved to what it is. You want to tell me there's things wrong with powerlifting, I'm not going to argue with you. There are more feds than I can count on both hands and more politics than I care to think about. There's a lot of bullshit that goes around. I'd maintain that in any sport, there are problems.
The bottom line is almost no one trains for raw strength at any level. It's just not done. There are no raw federations, and the public in general is more likely to be fascinated by 1000lbs than 700 raw. Bench America is an example of that.
In any case, it's asinine to come out and say that his bench shouldn't count because he was wearing a shirt.
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The Shadow
Guest
TheProject said:
...and where did I say that??
PUHLEASE show me.
What is YOUR best bench with and without?
I bet its a 20-30% difference.
Why cant you extrapolate that....it seems to be applicable to everyone I ask.
I dont care who uses what...I simply made an observation that the lift is nearly 300 pounds more than the raw record.
Thats fact.
...an interesting fact, imo.
...the fact is - you have your thoughts, I have mine......it has nothing to do with intelligence or lack of knowledge.
Bench shirts are responsible for lifts that otherwise would not be attainable.....is there any disagreement to that point?
jackangel
New member
all other attempts at reasoning aside, we can say with confidence that gene rychlak is getting a lot out of his bench shirt. forget supposed manufacturer's claims, or appeals to anecdotal evidence.
if we assume that:
1)gene's raw bench is below 750 (and that's fairly reasonable considering the current raw record)
2)any possible differences in technique between gene's raw and shirted style (i.e. hand placement, bar path, arch, etc...) aren't enough to account for much of that 275-300 differential
3)project is a super-fairy-toolbox
then it's likely he's getting at least 250 lbs out of it. obviously, the next person probably won't get that much. but it's possible.
and i don't really care one way or another.
if we assume that:
1)gene's raw bench is below 750 (and that's fairly reasonable considering the current raw record)
2)any possible differences in technique between gene's raw and shirted style (i.e. hand placement, bar path, arch, etc...) aren't enough to account for much of that 275-300 differential
3)project is a super-fairy-toolbox
then it's likely he's getting at least 250 lbs out of it. obviously, the next person probably won't get that much. but it's possible.
and i don't really care one way or another.
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
The Shadow said:
There you go.
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The Shadow
Guest
jackangel said:
I agree with all...especially number 3
lol
Smurfy said:
^
TheProject
New member
jackangel said:
I have to disagree...technique makes a big difference.
That's why you've seen such interest in the Metal Militia style of benching. I don't know how Rychlak benches (haven't watched his form) but I know people that have gone to MM seminars and added 50-80lbs to their bench...at sub-400lb levels.
Lumberg
New member
Lowest said:Rottenwillow, sounds like you're hatin' on the man's lift
Sure, that guy can definitely BP 900 raw. No doubt.
I don't know if it's the mood I'm in or not, but that was the lamest, most contrived PLing video I have ever seen. First thing that turned me off was his self-aggrandizing announcement at the end. He'd make a great WWE wrestler though.
Also WTF happened after the lift? Did he pass out?
Someone said something about a red light.
Was that at a competition? Were there judges?
I gotta side with Shadow on this one.
I remember once I shook up the PLing board by saying I was going to start the ultimate "raw" powerlifting federation: all lifts must be done naked. that's the only way to see how truly strong a man is.
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
And would anyone have thought 20 years ago that Mendy's raw lift was attainable?
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The Shadow
Guest
TheProject said:
...not the point...could he have hit 1000 without the shirt?
No.......so its an unattainable lift for him at this time.
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The Shadow
Guest
Lumberg said:
You had me at naked
TheProject
New member
Lumberg said:
The bigger feds have gotten more and more into hype...at the opposite end, you've got the USAPL. It's like lifting in a library.
It was at a comp, and there were three judges. I haven't watched the video, but you've gotta have two out of three white lights for the lift to pass.
TheProject
New member
The Shadow said:
You missed the post where I own3d j00 above.
supersizeme
New member
Just wanted to add here that while I'm at work, I typically wear a typing shirt which allows me to pull upwards of 115wpm, whereas when I'm at home just typing raw like in my undies or whatever, I typically only manage about 80-85wpm. I will admit that the one time I hit 116wpm, I stood up on the chair in my cubicle and made an announcement and then admittedly regretted it afterwards. I'm not trying to take away from Gene's accomplishment, but I'm just sayin.
supersizeme
New member
DT bro I thought we were down like four flat tires yo.
jackangel
New member
TheProject said:
i believe that. i have little reason to doubt that technique is important. but is your statement above to be taken generally, or specifically in this case as well?
here's my thought process:
his shirted bench is 1005. his raw is probably between 725-750 (one of my assumptions, hopefully not unreasonable). the question is, what components are responsible for that 250+ difference? the two obvious factors that come to my mind, when comparing a raw lift to a shirted lift, are what the shirt can add, and any differences in technique between the two styles of benching (for a given person at a given time).
so, are you saying that gene may add 50+ to his raw by using a different technique when shirted? and if so, isn't this difference made possible by his using a shirt?
if not, or if there's something i'm overlooking, then my 2nd assumption is perhaps invalid. and that's ok. the conclusion isn't set in stone, but offered on a provisional basis.
supersizeme
New member
i propose that from now on if PLers opt to use a bench shirt in competition, it must be covered in unicorns and daisies and have "Powered by My Little Pony" on the back.
stolen from the other elite fitness site.
Bench shirts are cheating: Cheating at what? Last time I looked is that the bench shirt is legal in every federation unless you compete in the IPTA (International Pec Tear Association). But the local Gold Gym Warrior will always point to something as to why he is so much weaker than powerlifters. Then you’ll have the old school lifters complain about records being broken and how it’s all about the shirt, blah, blah, blah… It’s like listening to a bunch of old women bitching and moaning about the prices at the grocery store. No one cares what you say and times change. But if the shirt is legal, then how is it cheating? Is it cheating if you wear a helmet in football? And to those that say, “Well, how much can you bench without a shirt?” To them I say, “I don’t care. I’m not judged by what I bench without a shirt. Would you ask a kicker who far he could kick without a tee? Or how far a baseball player could hit a ball without a bat?” I don’t know if it was Sebastian Burns who said it, but I’ll give him credit for this statement after being asked what he gets out of his bench shirt, “720lbs.” At the time this was his max.
written by jim wendler.
gene is the first person to ever bench a grand in a sanctioned meet. end of story
Bench shirts are cheating: Cheating at what? Last time I looked is that the bench shirt is legal in every federation unless you compete in the IPTA (International Pec Tear Association). But the local Gold Gym Warrior will always point to something as to why he is so much weaker than powerlifters. Then you’ll have the old school lifters complain about records being broken and how it’s all about the shirt, blah, blah, blah… It’s like listening to a bunch of old women bitching and moaning about the prices at the grocery store. No one cares what you say and times change. But if the shirt is legal, then how is it cheating? Is it cheating if you wear a helmet in football? And to those that say, “Well, how much can you bench without a shirt?” To them I say, “I don’t care. I’m not judged by what I bench without a shirt. Would you ask a kicker who far he could kick without a tee? Or how far a baseball player could hit a ball without a bat?” I don’t know if it was Sebastian Burns who said it, but I’ll give him credit for this statement after being asked what he gets out of his bench shirt, “720lbs.” At the time this was his max.
written by jim wendler.
gene is the first person to ever bench a grand in a sanctioned meet. end of story
Lumberg
New member
http://www.homestarrunner.com/vcr_sm.htmldjufo said:
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