Goals for 2012

[PaulBeech]

You know whats funny/a shame? Most guys in the gyms I frequent can bench way more than me and tell me I need to get my ass in gear. With the same breath they tell me they would hate to squat and pull what I can!
Is the bench the easiest lift to progress on or is it total vanity?

[Trei]

It's a combination of vanity/ego (since you can see the upper body size/definition more than quads/hammies/glutes typically) and mental ease, I think. Mental ease in that the lift just isn't as mentally draining as a heavy/high rep set of squats is, typically.

[Callador]

You know whats funny/a shame? Most guys in the gyms I frequent can bench way more than me and tell me I need to get my ass in gear. With the same breath they tell me they would hate to squat and pull what I can!
Is the bench the easiest lift to progress on or is it total vanity?

It is not the easiest lift to make progress on, I think that would be the squat or the deadlift (depending on build). Those two lifts go up way faster than the bench. The thing is, those guys at the gym have been benching for a long time. Most "bro" lifters have been benching for years, so I hope they would be good at it. They have an ego problem if they don't want to squat/dl because they would have to start too light. In the same way, folks here have an ego problem if they avoid benching because bros can out bench them. Just set your goals and only worry about that! :-)

It's a combination of vanity/ego (since you can see the upper body size/definition more than quads/hammies/glutes typically) and mental ease, I think. Mental ease in that the lift just isn't as mentally draining as a heavy/high rep set of squats is, typically.

I agree that squats can be tough (especially high rep), and I think high rep benching is easier to do. I also think that you can do more volume for benching, so take advantage of that. It is different when you are going for a bench max though. It is the same as the other lifts, if your form goes bad, shit hits the fan. A max effort bench can be pretty hard, but I think squats are the toughest for me (that is my worst lift). I think deads and bench are about the same.

Bench is great for building the pecs. OHP is not going to build a chest like benching can. Since the bros are interested in chest/biceps/shoulders, the bench is a great exercise for them. They should do all the other lifts too, but it is hard to get them to squat the bar, etc, without ego getting in the way.

[joosejpr]

Good things are happening.

Agreed. So many people have been busting out some good workouts lately!

I have said it before, but I can't emphasize enough how transformative this thread has been for me. Everyone has been having good and tough times and I think I don't speak for myself when I say we all benefit from each other's good and bad moments. Cal, thanks a ton for this thread. F4, cheers to you for the contest(s), and their indispensable addition to the epic awesomeness of this thread. And to all you lifters, you have my gratitude for making this thread the bloody best thread on SS.

/jooseyness

[f4thpathway]

I still have this money...

[LeonidasfromSparta]

It is not the easiest lift to make progress on, I think that would be the squat or the deadlift (depending on build). Those two lifts go up way faster than the bench. The thing is, those guys at the gym have been benching for a long time. Most "bro" lifters have been benching for years, so I hope they would be good at it. They have an ego problem if they don't want to squat/dl because they would have to start too light. In the same way, folks here have an ego problem if they avoid benching because bros can out bench them. Just set your goals and only worry about that! :-)



I agree that squats can be tough (especially high rep), and I think high rep benching is easier to do. I also think that you can do more volume for benching, so take advantage of that. It is different when you are going for a bench max though. It is the same as the other lifts, if your form goes bad, shit hits the fan. A max effort bench can be pretty hard, but I think squats are the toughest for me (that is my worst lift). I think deads and bench are about the same.

Bench is great for building the pecs. OHP is not going to build a chest like benching can. Since the bros are interested in chest/biceps/shoulders, the bench is a great exercise for them. They should do all the other lifts too, but it is hard to get them to squat the bar, etc, without ego getting in the way.

+1 on this. But I would emphasize that the squat and deads are very hard, and people don't like doing hard things.

[sking1001]

I still have this money...

Did I mention that I and three boys would be so happy to have an S-2 and bench...at least a bench?

I'm 15 pounds away from my goal, and on my last deadlift attempt, I literally had to go check my pants. I'll get there..

[hamburgerfan]

Had an amazing workout today. Squatted 540 for a triple. Deadlifted 455 for 6 reps. Think I may have found the right approach for my deadlift.

[sking1001]

That's awesome new, hamb! Congratulations, man.

[mwhities]

My knee is getting better; thanks for asking...