Maxed out at 205lb (almost 225lb)

I normally don’t use the bench press since to me its a scary apparatus. If the bar were to fall it has no where to go but right at your neck or chest. I typically use dumbbells when excercising my chest. However this past week I had a workout partner who was able to spot me. The difference in weight between dumbbell press and bench press is amazing. On a normal chest work out, my regimen is to do 6 sets:

90 lbs – 45lbs x 12 reps
100lbs – 50lbs x 10 reps
120lbs – 60lbs x 8 reps
140lbs – 70lbs x 6 reps
120lbs – 60lbs x 12 reps

40lbs x 12 reps (fly)

However on the bench press the weight difference was far different

135lbs (45lb) x 12 reps
155lbs (45lb + 10lb) x 10 reps
175lbs (45lb + 20lb) x 8 reps
185lbs (45lb + 25lb) x 8 reps
205lbs (45lb + 35lb) x 2 reps
225lbs (45lb + 45lb) x 0 reps (I had it half-way)
135lb x 12 reps
40lb dumbell x 12 reps (flys)
Machine fly press @ 165lb x 12 reps

I couldn’t believe how much I could bench! The barbells must use either a different muscle group or the same ones but in a vastly inefficient manner then the bench press. I thought I would be more sore since it was so much more weight but it wasn’t any different the day after. Overall great work out.

I look back at my notes and in Sept 29, 2008 I could only bench 110lbs x 6 times.