Ladies, how much do you bench?

ali_b83

So today was the first time I did flat and incline bench press (I used the Smith machine). I felt like weak sauce. How much does everyone else bench? I just want a comparison for what is reasonable. Thanks!

rmhand

Usually use 2 20lb dumbbels, so about 40lbs. I'd be excited to do a set of 10 with just the bar if I used a real bench press.

MB_Positif

I usually just do 55 pounds, but recently my husband left his 25 pound plates on the bar and I actually did a couple of reps of 105 pounds! Since then we've gotten and olympic bar and some more weight plates, so I can no longer lift what my husband leaves on the bar!!

wellbert

My wife benches 80lbs, this took 2 months to get there. Started at 45.

But try getting off that Smith and doing a traditional bench. It's hard to compare a machine to an actual bench press.
Especially because the bench can't move in a straight line without wrecking your shoulders. (Even though a smith machine forces it to.)

Just be sure you know how to do the roll of shame if you need to get out from under that bar.

Angie_1MR

Barbell bench is 130

geekyjen

I used to be super into bench pressing and at the time I weighed btw 120-125lbs and could bench (rep) 110lbs (my MFP goal was to bench my weight, and I could do that for one rep...).
That said I helped a lot of girls start who were doing the bar alone. I think there's a huge range - I used to use this as a reference:
http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/BenchStandards.html

Nerdy_Rose

70 lbs. No incline.

Drunkadelic

But try getting off that Smith and doing a traditional bench. It's hard to compare a machine to an actual bench press.
Especially because the bench can't move in a straight line without wrecking your shoulders. (Even though a smith machine forces it to.)

Just be sure you know how to do the roll of shame if you need to get out from under that bar.

I agree.

I bench 85lb.

stephyy4632

I just started on my home bench two weeks ago and right now I have 35 pounds on the bar and do 3/4 sets of 8 reps going to pick up somemore plates this weekend but this 35pounds is still really hard for me to finish out the last few of the last set so I`m going to wait alittle while before I up it some

no incline bench is flat

cellokitty91

I don't know what my max is but I typically bench 60 pounds.

GeneveSparkles

My one rep max on a barbell bench is 95 lbs and hopefully will get over 100 lbs in a month or so!!

Sabine_Stroehm

65-80 depending. (olympic bar plus whatever I feel I can handle that day).

Rae6503

I agree that non-Smith is better.

I am working on getting 3x5x105 right now (1 rep short right now). I started with 65lbs just a few month ago.

jeffpettis

Please don't use the Smith for a bench press, it is terrible for your shoulders because as you move the bar it forces you to go in a straight line which is not the natural line when you do a bench press. You may not feel it now but trust me if you continue to use it you will eventually. I commend you for lifting, but don't let anyone tell you that ANY machine is better than the free weight exercise it is "trying" to duplicate. Hang in there!

megami_girl

I started out using just the Olympic bar (45 lbs) at 3 sets of 12. I am now benching 65 lbs and still working my way up.

ali_b83

My wife benches 80lbs, this took 2 months to get there. Started at 45.

But try getting off that Smith and doing a traditional bench. It's hard to compare a machine to an actual bench press.
Especially because the bench can't move in a straight line without wrecking your shoulders. (Even though a smith machine forces it to.)

Just be sure you know how to do the roll of shame if you need to get out from under that bar.

Yeah, I'm following Jamie Eason's program, and she said to use the Smith for the incline press. So I just did both on it. That, and I wanted to get a feel for it before going all out and using the normal bench press

ali_b83

Please don't use the Smith for a bench press, it is terrible for your shoulders because as you move the bar it forces you to go in a straight line which is not the natural line when you do a bench press. You may not feel it now but trust me if you continue to use it you will eventually. I commend you for lifting, but don't let anyone tell you that ANY machine is better than the free weight exercise it is "trying" to duplicate. Hang in there!

Okay, thanks for the advice! I have a messed up left shoulder as it is, so good to know.

Rae6503

My wife benches 80lbs, this took 2 months to get there. Started at 45.

But try getting off that Smith and doing a traditional bench. It's hard to compare a machine to an actual bench press.
Especially because the bench can't move in a straight line without wrecking your shoulders. (Even though a smith machine forces it to.)

Just be sure you know how to do the roll of shame if you need to get out from under that bar.

Yeah, I'm following Jamie Eason's program, and she said to use the Smith for the incline press. So I just did both on it. That, and I wanted to get a feel for it before going all out and using the normal bench press

Really? That makes me hate her program even more than I already did. It's crap. I'd suggest Stronglifts 5x5.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

DaveRCF

To be fair ladies, you should probably state whether your benching is true touch the chest stuff or the half benches I see all the time in the gym (women and men). Not saying anything wrong but if you are going to be strutting your 1RM, best to compare apples with apples!

margojr4

I agree with other posters on the smith machine. Find a spotter and go for the regular bench.

Currently I'm benching 105lbs.

mamamudbug

I can bench my 12 year old :bigsmile:

(85 pounds) 5x5

Just looked at my log, I'm at 95 so... 90 5x5... my 1 rep max would be what? 100-105?