Tell me why I need to bench

[tfarny]

My thinking:
1. I don't have a spotter, there are always guys around if I get stuck but still. Safety & confidence are issues w/ bench.
2. It's not a relatively weak point of mine, it's actually my best lift, so it's not pussing out. If it was that I'd be convincing myself not to squat.
3. Is the only lift that is not full body.
4. Alternatives are all more fun and seem less prone to injury.

Pros:
1. It's the f*n program and I'm a newb. Noted.
2. Rip sez. See point #1.
3. ??
4. Profit!

Alternatives are to put chins right there after squats, and treat chins as a proper lift and not accessory, do them 3x5 with weights. Alternatively to beef up my weighted pushups / unbalanced pushups work and add in weighted dips, which I never do. All of these seem more true to the spirit of dynamic functional full body hard-as-hell movement, they just lack the actual bar.

Convince me to keep the bench in the program, or bow to my superior logic.

To recap my goals: I have no interest in competitive lifting, but in general strength to be used towards throwing your motorcycle over the bridge, and also sports. I also have no interest in gym bragging rights, so my bench #s mean nothing to anyone.

[FatButWeak]

Your bench will help your press.
Bench press builds chesticles.
Bench allows you to handle more weight.
If you bench properly, using good form, you strengthen your shoulder, not weaken it, which means your less susceptible to injury.
Having more weight pressing down on you creates a greater stimulus to the whole body, but esp to shoulder girdle.
Triceps strength.
Keep sport options open (i.e. powerlifting)
Bench is full body. Re-read Rips chapter on benching in SS if your unsure why/how AND google Dave Tate's how to bench video.
Bench balances physique and development.
Greater bench strength = more pushups/faster pushups. Improving your bench will improve your pushups faster and safer than weighted pushups.
Explosive punches.
Heavy weight pressing into forearm fosters better overall development of forearms than just pulling does.
Chicks dig it.
Guys will respect you more if you have a decent bench, and this gives you a psychological edge in some situations.
If you fall of your motorcycle and stick out your arms, they and your shoulders will be better able to absorb/defelct the blow from landing.

That's all I can think of and more than enough. Just bench.

[John2336]

So you'll have a day where presses will be after squats, and then on the next day you'll squat and then have either chins/power clean or chins/deadlift?

IMO the Press and Bench both assist eachother. I think you'll get stronger in the press when you're getting stronger in the bench. If you have a power rack you don't need a spotter. You just need to remember to set the pins at the right height before benching.

What can you bench right now and what is your body weight?

[gzt]

If there are guys around, you can ask them to spot. You should do so.

If you want to get strong, you need to bench.

If you don't want to bench, you don't have to, but it will be much harder to get strong.

[tfarny]

Right at 200lb bw, best bench was 165 3x5. I know it's not much, but my best squat was 175 3x5 by comparison. I'm very new to lifting in general.
To be clear, the alternative program A is:
Squat 3x5
Weighted chins 3x5
Cleans 5 x 3
Accessory: Weighted pushups and or weighted dips, eventually on rings as a I get stronger.

And, I have noted huge improvement in my pushups since starting the bench, more than when I was actually focusing on pushups. So, good point there.

[Bloodninja666]

Why do you need to bench? Because you bench 165 pounds!

[Draft]

1. I don't have a spotter, there are always guys around if I get stuck but still. Safety & confidence are issues w/ bench.

If there are guys around, you have a spotter.

2. It's not a relatively weak point of mine, it's actually my best lift, so it's not pussing out. If it was that I'd be convincing myself not to squat.

You just said it was a confidence issue. You are pussing out.

3. Is the only lift that is not full body.

It is full body, and even if it wasn't, it's still a huge compound move.

4. Alternatives are all more fun and seem less prone to injury.

Lifting weights is not supposed to be fun.

[MazdaMatt]

You couldn't possibly hate it or be as bad at it as me and even I'm doing the fucking bench... Do it. Dooo iiit.


Do it.

[Tom Campitelli]

Lifting weights is not supposed to be fun.

This made me smile.

[MazdaMatt]

Lifting weights is not supposed to be fun.

...then call me a masochist.