Can you bench press your own body weight?

[Kathandira]

I've never been one for upper body strength. I played Soccer and ran track, so upper body was never a focus of mine when I was younger. Now at 38 after 2 decades of not doing any sports or really any sort of physical training, I just started going to the gym 4 days a week.

I can do 3 reps of 135, and I weigh 170. Been at it since July 15th.

Bench Press
Started at 65x9 - 7 Sets
Current Sets: 95x12, 115x6, 135x3, 115x6, 95x8

Deadlift
Started at 75x9 - 7 Sets
Current Sets: 115x12, 135x9, 155x6, 135x9, 115x12

Squat
Started at 45x9 - 7 Sets
Current Sets: 115x12, 135x9, 155x6, 155x6, 135x6

I know it isn't a lot, but this has been huge progress in 3-4 months time in my opinion. I'd like to get closer to benching my own weight by the end of the year, but it might take a little longer than that.

[ZazuuPriest]

i weight about 230LB and can bench press that about 16-20 times my max ive ever benched is 410LB 4 times for 3 sets but I've been lifting for about 20 years

[Kathandira]

i weight about 230LB and can bench press that about 16-20 times my max ive ever benched is 410LB 4 times for 3 sets but I've been lifting for about 20 years

That's awesome! Can't say i'm looking to weight 230 (i'm only 5'8", i'd look like a dwarf), but I do hope to be able to bench how much you weigh in a few years lol.

[dwightyo39]

I'm pretty sure I could now, but haven't tried. I don't have a lifting partner and normally go to the gym at odd hours.

The thing is, I haven't stepped on a scale since I started going to the gym about 5 months ago. My plan has been to build muscle and strength (i can tell both are increasing) until the end of the year, then finally start working on my diet/cutting fat.

[jen69foster]

Could barely press half of my weight lol but its one of my favorite exercise to do

[Jotaux]

No I can't. Its odd, I have a big chest and been working out for awhile but bench is my weak spot. The most I've done is 175 for 4 reps. I weigh 215 at the moment.

[AndreWright90]

A lot of people I know cannot bench their own body weight, I am currently weighing around 220lbs and can bench over 320 lbs, but this has taken a while and I am not strong by any means.

[Polyxo]

I'm moving close to 2x bodyweight, but I'm having difficulty with wrist problems now.

[Maddoc]

Yes 10char

[op3l]

I would guess no. I can do maybe a few push ups cause I don't really strength train or exercise for that matter. Being that a push up is like 64% of the weight, then I can lift 64ish KG. Max probably 70? Never tried nor do I really care. Seems a lot of people who bench a lot messed up their shoulders.

I can however lift my baby high up in the air and that's all I really need.

[Powerogue]

From about 25 years ago, yeah. I was a pretty average toddler.

[Shifthappens]

i can Standing Overhead press 90kg for 3 (Push Press 100+), i weight 90kgs. I can Deadlift 260kg x1 (Done it) and squat 170kg... but cant bench for shit because MECHANICALLY im not built for it (Massive wingspan). This lift never progresses so i gave up and just train chest for size now.

FYI Flat bench is possibly the worst lift to build chest. its a press (Show of strength), if you want better pec development do Dips/Incline Press/Flys

[Freighter]

No, I struggle with just the bar. Do you think I'm some kind of god?

[schwarzkopf]

I don't think anyone can...

But seriously - rotator cuff injury ended any significant upper body weight work 5 years ago.

[Freighter]

The bar? You're seriously out of shape.

- - - Updated - - -



What? People can easily do that. I've done it.

You bench like 75 kg?

[Ulfric Trumpcloak]

Not right now. I weight 160ish and i haven't worked out in over a decade. When i was 15 one of my friends was able to lift 180, and he was maybe 120-130 pounds. I know most should be able to lift their own body weight unless they're severely overweight, but i sure as hell can't given my sedentary life style.

[StillMcfuu]

I can still bench my own body weight but it's not easy like it was. Used to be 175-180 and 185lbs was my warm up weight. Now I'm 250 and 3 years out from any serious training and I can still put up 250 for a few reps. The issue I find is I dont lose too much overall strength, but my stamina, especially with heavy weights, is completely gone.

[schwarzkopf]

What? People can easily do that. I've done it.

You probably missed the joke ... I don't anyone could bench press my body weight

[Zephire]

I've not tried but I've been standing on my hands doing push-ups. Might not be the full 80kg weight but should be rather close, also having cloths on. Pure bench pressing might be something else, at least different muscles.

[Rotted]

Can't bench press or anything to save my life,

But I can leg press 3x my own body weight.