What's a bigger deal 300 or 315 bench?

[eat big]

Depends on who you're telling. Some guys who are kind of strong think 300 is a lot. That is the point where you become strong to others who don't train very much. But obviously, somone who can bench three plates can move some weight. 300 is over-rated, it's so talked about and honestly, having more than three plates on the bar looks bad ass.

 

[steelmass]

Ya my goal was always 315x5. The second I hit it it was 315x10. My last cycle I peaked at 405x5... it never ends...

 

[b fold the truth]

I wasn't trying to be insulting. My point is in the gym you see these guys screaming and yelling throwing up 400+ jump off the bench and start yelling "Im the man". And Im not talking about a powerlifter or football player physique. Im talking about the guy who comes into the gym just to try and show off how strong his bench press is and after that he has nothing else. It's an ego thing for alot of people. I used to work out at this gym and this guy weighed over 400lbs bf 40% minimum he was stronger than a bull on the bench but how can you respect that when he let his body go and become what it was.

I think I gotcha now. I don't care if someone is setting their PR with 95 lbs...or celebrating in the mirror because they have just accomplished their first set of abs...I can appreciate everyone and the accomplishment of their goals. I have a lot of friends who are bodybuilders (they compete) and I can appreciate what they do just as much as I do a bodybuilder who benches 800 in a double denim bench shirt.

 

[coldblue1955]

Today I got 275 up for the first time and it got me to thinking...is 300 or 315 (3 plates) a bigger deal?

the stronger the better.

 

[bignate73]

just my personal opinion, but I know how elusive the 300 mark is. generally most people get to the mid 2's and then 2.5, nickel and dime their way to break 300, so its sortof a milestone for most. to most, all they see is a bunch of loose change on the bar, but to the lifter, its a record. the 3 plate thing is great, but it seems more to impress those watching. its easy math to show strength. sortof like when you first started working out and couldn't wait to warm up with one plate on each side.

trust me, its all a fight. I'm fighting to get back over 300 now, and I'll definitely be fighting then to get over 305, then 310....etc. seems like a very steep uphill climb once you've been doing this for a while. hehe

 

[mojaz87]

I agree with Nate in how difficult it is to break through barriers on the bench. I hope one day I can surpass the 300 mark, but for now I am in a rut at the 225. I just can't seem to get passed it. Any advice would be helpful. The thing that frustrates me the most is that I feel my triceps are strong, which most people say is the main problem with a weak bench. It could possibly be my lats since I bench with a "powerlifter" arm position (close to my body). I've improved on dumbells, incline/decline bench, pushuos, dips, but my flat bench just won't budge. Any advice? (sorry for getting off-subject)

 

[Beachbum1546]

I only max maybe once every two years or so. Last time I maxed was in december and I benched 345. The time before that was in early 2004 where I got 255. I don't workout with a spotter so I tend not to go so heavy that I can't complete four reps.

 

[Tweakle]

get fatter

being fat helps the bench and the squat immensely, bench bloat and being packed full of carbs all the time is great.

 

[b fold the truth]

trust me, its all a fight.

Man...very true words. I have kids that I work with and their eyes got huge and they cheered when they got up to the "big bar" on the bench press.

 

[DZLS]

this is really a silly question...

315 is the milesonte, IMO...