women bench pressing

sammyneb
sammyneb Posts: 257
in Fitness and Exercise
How much can you bench press? I've had guys tell me they can't bench as much as me....I'm just curious if what I bench is "normal" for a lady my size....
I'm 5'4" 151lbs
I started strength training two years ago, took a hiatious to take up running..now I'm doing both :)
anyways..I normally bench 100-105 (I can remember if the bar weighs 30 or 35 lbs)
I bench that amount for three sets of ten..

any input appreciated :)
«1345

Replies

  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Most Olympic barbells are actually 45lbs so you could be selling yourself short :)
  • ashleighlive
    ashleighlive Posts: 43 Member
    That is good!
    Generally the aim is to lift your body weight, so push ups and core exercises are great to help you along!
    But it is true, I see men lifting a LOT less! Especially juxtaposed to their actual weight... being much more than yours generally!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    not that much. lol.
  • OnionMomma
    OnionMomma Posts: 938 Member
    Most Olympic barbells are actually 45lbs so you could be selling yourself short :)

    ^^YEP, they are heavier than you thought.

    I'd say you are doing really good.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    I bench 55kgs/120lbs x 5 x 2

    But I weigh a fair amount more than you.
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    5'3" I weigh 161..... and i lift 170lbs not counting the bar..
  • joeamendiola
    joeamendiola Posts: 54
    A grown man benching less than 100 lbs is just sad. When I was 200 lbs. I was benching 315 lbs. I have no idea what I bench now but If I couldn't bench 100 lbs then I wouldn't be able to get out of bed.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    5'3" I weigh 161..... and i lift 170lbs not counting the bar..

    Why wouldn't you count the bar?
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I can do 105 for 3 sets of 5.
  • sammyneb
    sammyneb Posts: 257
    Thanks all..However the bar I use is not an olympic bar (I have one of those too) the bar I use is "attached" to my weight bench. the kind that slides up and down...I weighed it one time I just can't remember if it was 30 or 35 lbs.

    Bench my weight??? I guess I have more weight to lose than I thought ! :)
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    5'3" I weigh 161..... and i lift 170lbs not counting the bar..

    Why wouldn't you count the bar?

    I keep track of just the weights in a book, try to lift more as I go.... No reason really lol
  • Vonwarr
    Vonwarr Posts: 390 Member
    It really depends on the the barbell. For some reason they market 35 lb bars as bars for women. My gym has a couple and it always weirds me out because they're thinner.

    It is all relative to size and body weight. A man benching less than 100 is pretty low unless he's quite small (I'm talking 5'1"-5'2") or rail thin. Men in general have more muscle, and a lot of that is in the upper body.

    Edit - if you're using a Smith machine, the bar is generally counter-weighted. In general, most people include the weight of the bar when listing their maximum lifts, as different bars weigh different amounts, but the weight is still the weight (if that makes sense, I'm tired).
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Thanks all..However the bar I use is not an olympic bar (I have one of those too) the bar I use is "attached" to my weight bench. the kind that slides up and down...I weighed it one time I just can't remember if it was 30 or 35 lbs.

    Bench my weight??? I guess I have more weight to lose than I thought ! :)

    So it's a Smith machine? I think you'd have to go down in weights to do a normal bench press.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I'm currently on hiatus due to an injury, but I started with just the bar and it took me 6 months to get to 105lbs. It's by FAR my slowest progression, and I've gotten stuck at every increment past 80 lbs. Farking bench press..........let's talk about squats or deadlifts! :tongue:

    ETA- I'm almost the same size as you, a little shorter.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    Hey, Beans. How much do you squat? :drinker:
  • sammyneb
    sammyneb Posts: 257
    [/quote]

    So it's a Smith machine? I think you'd have to go down in weights to do a normal bench press.
    [/quote]

    I guess it is a smith machine ( I had to google it :tongue: )
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Hey, Beans. How much do you squat? :drinker:

    No way. I'm not going down for thread hijacking AGAIN!!!!!

    Bench Bench Bench. Arch your back. Plant your feetz!

    (180)
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    Ummmm actually it can make da boobies look bigger. Check yo' self.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    Ummmm actually it can make da boobies look bigger. Check yo' self.

    Pretty sure it mashes them flat. 30 Day Shred. That's what chicks should be doing. Helps with long lean muscle instead of smashed boobies and bulky muscle. Just make sure you get plenty of healthy fats.
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    :huh: :frown: :noway: :grumble:
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member

    So it's a Smith machine? I think you'd have to go down in weights to do a normal bench press.

    I guess it is a smith machine ( I had to google it :tongue: )

    You need more stabilizer muscles to control the bar when you aren't using the Smiths machine, so you would likely have to decrease your weight to do a normal bench press, if you have access to a bench and a bar, I highly recommend you switch, but if you don't... keep on keeping on!

    :drinker:

    (180? that it? Pfft....)
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    Ummmm actually it can make da boobies look bigger. Check yo' self.

    Pretty sure it mashes them flat. 30 Day Shred. That's what chicks should be doing. Helps with long lean muscle instead of smashed boobies and bulky muscle. Just make sure you get plenty of healthy fats.

    I really hope you are trolling.
  • Feisty_Red
    Feisty_Red Posts: 982 Member
    Bench press and overhead press are those types that at least I think..are really hard for women to progress on. Just take it slow..and even micro plate it..if need be. Sometimes its hard to add 5 pounds next workout...but 2 is doable with the one pound microplates...some gyms have...some dont..

    My last one was 120...no where CLOSE to my actual weight though... lol and I have been lifting heavy for 4 months...
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    Ummmm actually it can make da boobies look bigger. Check yo' self.

    Pretty sure it mashes them flat. 30 Day Shred. That's what chicks should be doing. Helps with long lean muscle instead of smashed boobies and bulky muscle. Just make sure you get plenty of healthy fats.

    You obviously have never spotted for a woman who bench presses. If that's the case....I'm sorry. I'm crying inside just a little for you.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    5'3" I weigh 161..... and i lift 170lbs not counting the bar..

    do you compete? because i think that might be above the national record for women's raw bench press if you add the bar weight. certainly better than the state records in my state.
  • LovelyLifter
    LovelyLifter Posts: 560 Member
    125 x 10 x 3

    and you are doing amazing btw :flowerforyou:
  • mominwi419
    mominwi419 Posts: 87
    95 pounds x 5 sets x 5 reps

    Hoping to be at or above 100 by the end of the year!
  • OkieinMinny
    OkieinMinny Posts: 834 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    Ummmm actually it can make da boobies look bigger. Check yo' self.

    Pretty sure it mashes them flat. 30 Day Shred. That's what chicks should be doing. Helps with long lean muscle instead of smashed boobies and bulky muscle. Just make sure you get plenty of healthy fats.

    ^^ then I want flat boobies! I can BP 75# on my own 95# with my trainer spotting me
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Women shouldn't bench press. It'll mash their boobs.

    Ummmm actually it can make da boobies look bigger. Check yo' self.

    Pretty sure it mashes them flat. 30 Day Shred. That's what chicks should be doing. Helps with long lean muscle instead of smashed boobies and bulky muscle. Just make sure you get plenty of healthy fats.

    You obviously have never spotted for a woman who bench presses. If that's the case....I'm sorry. I'm crying inside just a little for you.

    Shouldn't have to spot them - spotters aren't used for Ripped in 30

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