Masters (Over 55) Rank Novice Training - No Bench

[VinceC]

Mr. Rippetoe,

I am a rank novice, almost 60 years old, and want to train using your methods outlined in your books. Two programs - A and B, three times a week, squat and deadlift in both programs, bench and press in one program. Except I do not have a bench at home. I have the equipment so I can safely do squat, deadlift, and overhead press, (and chins to add later in the program) but not bench press. I abhor going to the local gyms where I have to compete with strutting young people who don't appear to me to be training at all. What they do is their business, but I can't stand the atmosphere in these gyms. Anyway, back to my question for you. Would it be OK if I do the press three times a week? I have fractional plates so the press can increase by as little as .5 LB. I searched your forum and found an old thread, 2008, where you advised a person with the same question that it would be OK to press three times a week but recommended fractional plates for smaller increases. Just checking, almost 10 years later, that your thinking is still along those lines.

Thank you.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Fine with me, Vinnie. If you want to omit a major component of upper-body training, go ahead.

[Kiril]

Fine with me, Vinnie. If you want to omit a major component of upper-body training, go ahead.

Hi, Mark. I can see an importance in daily life for squats, DL and OP, but for which purpose is it good to have a strong bench press, targeting chest?

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's good to have a strong upper body. You disagree?

[VinceC]

Fine with me, Vinnie. If you want to omit a major component of upper-body training, go ahead.

Hear you loud and clear Mr. Rippetoe. I will either suck it up and deal with the public gyms or see what I can do to purchase a bench (money is tight but the holidays are coming). Either way, I will incorporate the bench press.

Thank you.

[tdood]

OP could floor press.

[This Old Man]

Why on Earth would you invest in a rack, bar, and plates and then not buy a bench? They're not very expensive.

If you ran out of money, just press until you have saved up enough to buy a bench.

[Kiril]

It's good to have a strong upper body. You disagree?

Who said? But if you have no space to do bench press, you could do the OP and add pushups(better with a weight on your back). Not a 100% substitute, but better than nothing.

[Strega]

Craigslist is full of benches $30 to $50. I'm sure if you search you can find something functional to get you started.

[This Old Man]

I will either suck it up and deal with the public gyms or see what I can do to purchase a bench...

Dips will make a pretty good substitute for benching in the mean time. Outstanding exercise, and all you need is a pair of chairs.

How many gyms are there in your area? Shop around, and you may find one with a group of supportive young people who are also running starting strength.