Why don't you bench?

I never used a trainer and I bench only have my husband to spot if I need it but usually don't. I bench 105lbs and have gone all the way up to 115lbs on a 1set 5reps once to see how far I could push myself. So to answer your question no women don't need trainers to bench.

I bench on my own, no spotter or trainer and I am up to 65 kg or 143 lbs (5 reps per set)

So put that in your notebook!!!

*drool!*

I thought my ORM was good until i saw this.

i bow before your awesome pecs, delts, and determination!

If you feel you need a spotter, I can't imagine anyone turning you down. No guy would, certainly.

I've noticed this too! I don't even know why really. I love bench.

TBH I do know a few women that bench, mostly from MFP, but it seems to be greatly in the minority, even amongst those who lift. If I watch workouts on youtube of figure/bikini competitors even, they will do other chest exercises just not bench press.

My best guess would be that you need a spotter. It's pretty much essential unless you're comfortable with the exercise and know exactly what you can and can't do. Even then, to do a weight where you're not challenging yourself because you can't get a spotter seems pretty silly to me if done on a regular basis. If you have a trainer then that's an instant spotter. Luckily for me I have my bf some of the time (all of the time when I first started out) and now that's I'm comfortable in my gym, I don't give a crap about asking others for help, as a spot. If I started out without my bf there, I might not have gotten into it.

A second reason might be that they don't need to (unless they're powerlifting) One could argue that for legs, squats are the best exercise you could possibly do, therefore they're "essential". For chest, there are a million other ways to hit it just as efficiently.

I don't want to get bulky!

If you feel you need a spotter, I can't imagine anyone turning you down. No guy would, certainly.

i know you aren't replying to me, but still...I still get the odd stare from (some) guys while I use the weight machines. Heck, I barely finished using one and some dude was about to plop down before I wiped it down. When he realized I had been using it (water bottle, towel, sweat marks) he finally asked "Are you done yet?" Really? They have benches - why are you using a machine for dumbell lifts?!?

Blarg.... I really want to start, damn it

My less evolved brethren might have to adjust to the 21st century, but that shouldn't be the majority experience.

I was actually thinking more above the lines of "chest/shoulders and triceps muscle aren't a glamour muscle" . This is why women would rather work out their legs and *kitten*, which i see happening very often.

Not true, most women want nice lean arms, not flappy bat wings.

I have just started into the lifting part, but i am using machines to help until i get strong enough without. I don't have a trainer, and I do agree that most women are intimidated by the weights. Example, the y i go to most women go in and are on the treadmill or elliptical (i understand if you have injuries that don't allow you to lift or medical conditions) but i get bored after a while, even with music or books or whatever, and i venture into the weight area. I have seen maybe 3 women in total (granted i go in late in the evenings because that is when my husband gets home and i know he can watch our son plus have his wind down time from work) go in there and usually for about 10 minutes. Now, i will also say that i am just now getting back into it after 9 years because i was told I could never weight lift again due to the main nerve in my right elbow that i injured that caused (and still does occasionally causes) me to lose feeling from my elbow down (don't worry i do regain feeling). Some may not consider it to be lifting, but when my chest is hurting as well as my arms and abs from machines, I consider it a success.

I was actually thinking more above the lines of "chest/shoulders and triceps muscle aren't a glamour muscle" . This is why women would rather work out their legs and *kitten*, which i see happening very often.

Not true, most women want nice lean arms, not flappy bat wings.

Also, women tend to prefer lower body because we have naturally stronger lower bodies. Upper body work is hard. Logically, this should mean that we need to do MORE upper body work, but in reality, that's not what happens. It's discouraging to start with minimum weights and progress slowly. If there were no consequences, I probably would never suffer through the humiliation that is OHP for me, even knowing everything I know!

(before anyone jumps and tells me that they are a woman who has a strong upper body- I get that there's exceptions, but in GENERAL, women have strong lower bodies and weaker upper bodies)

I love to bench, but I do it at home. I do 80# without a spotter. Sometimes I bench my children, I like to multi task

I was actually thinking more above the lines of "chest/shoulders and triceps muscle aren't a glamour muscle" . This is why women would rather work out their legs and *kitten*, which i see happening very often.

Not true, most women want nice lean arms, not flappy bat wings.

Also, women tend to prefer lower body because we have naturally stronger lower bodies. Upper body work is hard. Logically, this should mean that we need to do MORE upper body work, but in reality, that's not what happens. It's discouraging to start with minimum weights and progress slowly. If there were no consequences, I probably would never suffer through the humiliation that is OHP for me, even knowing everything I know!

(before anyone jumps and tells me that they are a woman who has a strong upper body- I get that there's exceptions, but in GENERAL, women have strong lower bodies and weaker upper bodies)

Overhead press is the DEBIL!

To be honest, if a woman exercises for looks only and chooses to neglect chest, I can't really blame her. Pecs are hard for women to develop and even if they develop them, they don't look that great IMHO on a girl. Better off concentrating on shoulders, arms and back IMHO. I think the only reason for women to bench is if they want overall strength and don't want to neglect any areas.

Developing your chest does more than just give you pecs. From what I've seen, the only women that have noticeably built pecs, are those who have not just built up sufficient muscle there, but also have a low body fat and not much going on in terms of boobs to begin with. Most of the time you just end up with a more prominent chest, and boobs that look firmer/more lifted.

To be honest, if a woman exercises for looks only and chooses to neglect chest, I can't really blame her. Pecs are hard for women to develop and even if they develop them, they don't look that great IMHO on a girl. Better off concentrating on shoulders, arms and back IMHO. I think the only reason for women to bench is if they want overall strength and don't want to neglect any areas.

Developing your chest does more than just give you pecs. From what I've seen, the only women that have noticeably built pecs, are those who have not just built up sufficient muscle there, but also have a low body fat and not much going on in terms of boobs to begin with. Most of the time you just end up with a more prominent chest, and boobs that look firmer/more lifted.

Ahh there is hope yet for my girls!

Heidi's totally right. I've lost a couple inches in the bust but my boobs actually look better now than when I started- rather than saggy from the lost volume.

I used to bench press 75 pounds, 3 sets of 10 reps. Half my weight and without help.

My "pec-cleavage" is the only cleavage I have. I like it. You can kid of see it here: