Is a 500 lb bench press overdoing it?

[Austin316]

Considering Im not into powerlifting and competition and shit like that?

Basically this was the first week Ive started packing down protien again in 6 months, and tday at the gym I hit 405 for 3 easy!! Ive not used gear or anything in a year, but Im about to go on a pretty long cycle and my strength levels always respong extremly well especially during longer cycles as long as test is involved. Now the question is would upping my weight every week from 405 be wise? I could prob I think hit a 500 max since Ive had a 450 max in the past, but would that be too risky injury wise and what not? At the same time its a really tempting goal to set just to say I did it in my life time

decisions decisions

 

[GoldenDelicious]

depends. how big does your spotter want his traps to be?

 

[PBR]

400+ is very repectable....do you have anything to prove otherwise?....is it worth the risk to have this particular mark on your post of accomplishments?....only you can decide...

 

[H_T_]

be cautious. but, to be honest, nothing compares to conquering a huge weight like that. i've done it myself, and have only seen a couple people in all my years training do it in person. very impressive to say the least.

 

[blut wump]

Of course it's overdoing it. The question is whether you want it enough to accept the risks. Good luck, you know you do.

 

[stilleto]

first of all, you don't need to go heavy every week.
second- you need a routine. you don't just bench more and more every week. there is a rhyme and reason to things.

I don't know your age or your weight- both of which are a factor. the younger you are, the faster you will recover. now, if you weigh 300 and you're 25 years old, and strong as a mofo, and benching 500 is easy as pie, then benching 405 every week isn't going to effect you that much.
but if you're 50, your max is 420, benching 405 a few weeks in a row will burn you out and most likely you'll start to develop shoulder problems.
so... get yourself a routine (pm me for some options) and start posting in the powerlifting forum. there are a few people in chat that know about powerlifting, but the majority of info is over there. read the stickies, and ask ANYTHING you don't know.
nothing is too stupid to ask cause we've all heard it before and there's more respect there than you may even be used to.

 

[pintoca]

first of all, you don't need to go heavy every week.
second- you need a routine. you don't just bench more and more every week. there is a rhyme and reason to things.

I don't know your age or your weight- both of which are a factor. the younger you are, the faster you will recover. now, if you weigh 300 and you're 25 years old, and strong as a mofo, and benching 500 is easy as pie, then benching 405 every week isn't going to effect you that much.
but if you're 50, your max is 420, benching 405 a few weeks in a row will burn you out and most likely you'll start to develop shoulder problems.
so... get yourself a routine (pm me for some options) and start posting in the powerlifting forum. there are a few people in chat that know about powerlifting, but the majority of info is over there. read the stickies, and ask ANYTHING you don't know.
nothing is too stupid to ask cause we've all heard it before and there's more respect there than you may even be used to.

DAMN, this is why this guy came out of left field being a Mod

 

[blut wump]

Good post Stilleto. Over in Power and Weights, it's all about helping each other. We're a cool bunch.

 

[Sub-Zero]

first of all, you don't need to go heavy every week.
second- you need a routine. you don't just bench more and more every week. there is a rhyme and reason to things.

I don't know your age or your weight- both of which are a factor. the younger you are, the faster you will recover. now, if you weigh 300 and you're 25 years old, and strong as a mofo, and benching 500 is easy as pie, then benching 405 every week isn't going to effect you that much.
but if you're 50, your max is 420, benching 405 a few weeks in a row will burn you out and most likely you'll start to develop shoulder problems.
so... get yourself a routine (pm me for some options) and start posting in the powerlifting forum. there are a few people in chat that know about powerlifting, but the majority of info is over there. read the stickies, and ask ANYTHING you don't know.
nothing is too stupid to ask cause we've all heard it before and there's more respect there than you may even be used to.

what about for kids and or natural trainers....

my weights arnt anywhere near his, but i pretty much do go in and just bench more every week... except for the first 2-3 weeks of madcow 5x5 which i finished and am doing again...

so natural trainers is my main question, but

 

[Gambino]

hey austin i'd be careful about injury, pec tear would suck and is def. possible. I'd suggest getting a bp shirt...it will help prevent injury. With that being said, not going for 500 would be weak on your part, you'll regret it when you are 60 and using a bowflex. 500 is a awesome target, 1/4 ton. fucking wreck it

 

[saint808]

well i do know you and have known you for years... you have always had a naturally huge bench. i think you could o 500 considering you were hitting 400 way back before you ever touched any gear. You have that raw strength. Really, it's up to you.

 

[jackangel]

do it.

 

[AAP]

Is it better to bench 500 lbs or just look like you can? I prefer to look like I can. I never go over 405 for 6 on the incline. (don't do flat anymore). But that is just me. Muscle size is my primary goal, I don't care how strong I really am. I am not going to be hauling my bench and weights to the beach. Unlike stilleto, I don't have a monster 4x4 truck to drive around in doing bench presses in the back.

 

[Lestat]

shit man, you are strong!!! post some pics.

 

[Austin316]

info Im 6'1 23 years old, 250 lbs currently but would prob be around 230ish if everything goes according to plan during the cycle when Id be able to possibly do this. Basically Ive not taken supps or anythign in the last 6 months, was training once a week all summer, and could still put up 390 for 3, the second I started loading protein again I was back over 400, got a few weeks till my cycel starts so yea I dunno just tryign to figure out what other goals I wanna set for myself other then shedding off fat and putting on more lean mass. No matter what I do it always gives me a serious strength boost, and yea Id prob have to have more then one spotter considering there aren't any monster types in my gym lol

 

[jackangel]

definitely see what pitbullstl has to say

 

[Whiskey]

I wouldn't go over 405. Hell, I won't go over a 405 squat anymore, let alone a bench. I don't compete, so it's not worth the risk of injury. I want to keep lifting untill i'm 100 so I can still kick everyone's ass

Whiskey

 

[sigweed]

wow i thought I was cool when I could put up 2 plates

 

[Sub-Zero]

wow i thought I was cool when I could put up 2 plates

same.

fridays workout made me feel awsome

 

[thelion2005]

info Im 6'1 23 years old, 250 lbs currently but would prob be around 230ish if everything goes according to plan during the cycle when Id be able to possibly do this. Basically Ive not taken supps or anythign in the last 6 months, was training once a week all summer, and could still put up 390 for 3, the second I started loading protein again I was back over 400, got a few weeks till my cycel starts so yea I dunno just tryign to figure out what other goals I wanna set for myself other then shedding off fat and putting on more lean mass. No matter what I do it always gives me a serious strength boost, and yea Id prob have to have more then one spotter considering there aren't any monster types in my gym lol

It would seem you are blessed with amazing natural strength ... a true gift.

I think we all need personal goals to add discipline and inner meaning
to our lives. I'd vote you make the 500 a goal, develop a sound and safe routine and diet to get there over the next 8-12 months ... and Do It!

 

[stilleto]

info Im 6'1 23 years old, 250 lbs currently but would prob be around 230ish if everything goes according to plan during the cycle when Id be able to possibly do this. Basically Ive not taken supps or anythign in the last 6 months, was training once a week all summer, and could still put up 390 for 3, the second I started loading protein again I was back over 400, got a few weeks till my cycel starts so yea I dunno just tryign to figure out what other goals I wanna set for myself other then shedding off fat and putting on more lean mass. No matter what I do it always gives me a serious strength boost, and yea Id prob have to have more then one spotter considering there aren't any monster types in my gym lol

if you're doing a 5x5 and its working, then continue with it at whatever weight you're at- if its 400 its 400. You are young, which helps, but just listen to your body when it tells you you're overdoing it. If you get a pain in your shoulder- take a week off- don't be a hero.
you might want to look into getting a bench shirt if you plan on competing. you don't have to use one to compete, but using one does protect you.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Stilleto gave you some good advice, especially "listen to your body".

There is another issue I want to make you aware of. Low rep, high weight exercises elevate blood pressure tremendously. Over time, this can cause a thinning of the walls of the aorta. Later in life, this could be problematic.

Here is a dumbed down paper on it:

http://www.thelantern.com/media/pap...fting.Could.Be.Harmful.To.Health-433482.shtml

The article above references only an increased likelihood of aneurysm or compication from aneurysm. I do some work as a medical publisher on behalf of pharma companies and we deal with cardiology a lot. The jury is sort of out about high weight low rep workouts - if you are going to make a serious run at a number like 500, you might want to speak with a cardiologist first, and get yourself checked out. Most cardiologists agree that for very strenuous activities, the elevated bloos pressure over time will stretch the aorta and cause problems. It is not yet comprehensively understood (to my knowledge) what the effect of an aggressive cardio fitness program is, and the studies that made this determination about the thinning of the aorta are not universally accepted.

That said...Lift 500 and die at 53 is not for me. Look into it.

 

[Austin316]

hmmm see what I always do is don't go over something I can't do 3 times without struggling. When I do 405 like yesterday I didn't have to struggle much, last summer I did 435 for 3 1/2 without ovely exerting myself and that was deep into a cycle where I didn't start off a cycle being able to lift over 400

I dunno guys if I ever did it its not something I would keep doing it would just be cool to do it once

 

[Gambino]

what can you sq or pull austin?
what are you doing dicking around on ef, you should be playing ball for minnesota

 

[Austin316]

cant squat bro, my right knee is pretty damaged and basically have had bad knees forever

I only do light leg work, anything heavy and I won't be able to walk for a week it sucks

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

cant squat bro, my right knee is pretty damaged and basically have had bad knees forever

I only do light leg work, anything heavy and I won't be able to walk for a week it sucks

Those are impressive bench numbers w/o squatting (and I assume, not deadlifting). All of my compound movement exercises (squat, bench and deadlift were the key ones for me) moved in lockstep. As my squat rose, so would my bench and deadlift.

The only way I could get my numbers up was to do them all. good luck...but I recommend again investigating the correlatin between high weights/low reps and increased blood pressure along with aortic thinning.

I love to lift big iron, but I temper that passion with acceptance of the fact that no one is ever going to care if my max bench was 450 or 350. Sorry to be somewhat of a naysayer...I'm just trying to give you another opinion to help you make an informed decision.

 

[H_T_]

Those are impressive bench numbers w/o squatting (and I assume, not deadlifting). All of my compound movement exercises (squat, bench and deadlift were the key ones for me) moved in lockstep. As my squat rose, so would my bench and deadlift.

The only way I could get my numbers up was to do them all. good luck...but I recommend again investigating the correlatin between high weights/low reps and increased blood pressure along with aortic thinning.

I love to lift big iron, but I temper that passion with acceptance of the fact that no one is ever going to care if my max bench was 450 or 350. Sorry to be somewhat of a naysayer...I'm just trying to give you another opinion to help you make an informed decision.

i think i might have had one person that was a non lifter ask me what i could bench.

 

[Austin316]

thats why I asked lol I wanted to hear from both sides cuz I still don't know what I should set my goal at

 

[Mr. dB]

I say go for it, as long as you're having fun.

 

[nutsnack]

i seperated my sternum the first cycle i did cuz my bench went up 50lbs in like 4 weeks.. ure body isnt use to that strength gain

 

[Mr. dB]

thats why I asked lol I wanted to hear from both sides cuz I still don't know what I should set my goal at

I know it's cliche, but "listen to your body".

 

[Becoming]

lots of good advice on here bro...

if you really want it, go for it. definitely you will at least be able to say to yourself "i did that shit"... Not something many can say by any means...

500 is a hard number to hit raw (I have always been natty too)... I have flirted with it quite a few times (within 15lbs), but never quite hit it yet... Always an injury or burn out hitting right before I could hit it... I am a little older, and always getting busier so I might have missed my chance, but I might have one last shot over the next 2 years.

No reason not to go for it bro. If you are going to hit it though you got to really want it. No fucking around at that weight. Be serious and set goals etc, or don't bother.

Good luck. Take a vid.