Max Out?

[Big A]

Growing Dad
Senior Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 136
Max Out?
I'm talking specificly about benching.
I have not tried to max out for some time now. Mainly because I got carried away always trying to max out and hindered my gains.
Is there any kind of formula that can be applied to figure out what would be reasonable for an attempted max?
For example, If I can bench 225lbs for 5 solid reps than I should be able to bench "X" for 1 rep?
I'm itching to attempt a new max but don't want to blow out with a failure(I work out alone mostly and don't want to chop my head off!)


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01-06-2002 04:57 AM



Ry Roid
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Prolly won't get a lot of answers because not a lot of Powerlifters here.hehehe I forget the formula you use but, unless your a powderlifter maxing is dangerous and dumb. I do inclines w/ 495 for 6 reps so I don't need to know what my max would be cause it would prolly hurt me.hehhehe

RY


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01-06-2002 05:54 AM



sandblaster
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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: So. Cali...
Posts: 7
I guess I'm one of the few, the proud, powerlifters here...Thanks Ry!

It all depends on how you've been training and your make up of muscle fibers. There are times I couldn't bench 315 for more than 5 reps, yet still bench into the low 4's. My training partner benches 455 for 5 but maxes at 485. So, it is highly individual.

SB



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01-06-2002 06:00 AM



grishaxxl
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Registered: Jan 2002
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Planning
From a BB standpoint, I am definitely with Ry on maxing out. other than testing your limits, it has no particular training advantage and it is real easy to hurt yourself. Bud of mine got overambitious on the bench and fucked a couple of disks and basically had to quit - that is true Hell, I think you would agree.

However, couple of years ago I did some like 12-14 week PL routines for increasing the major lifts - the best documented one was for BP - and they were really kewl - brutal but they got me over a hump and I picked up a lot of mass that year. Got my bench to 410x1.

I have been looking for them (I had them on my old box, but the hard drive fried) but no luck yet. There was even a formula to target a starting point (idea being to increase the lift by 25 lbs over the course) - I'll bet sandblaster and the PL bros could point you in the right direction as far as routines are concerned - if I can run down what I used, I'll post it.

Just btw - and IMO - as I gather you are just gettig rolling on training, I'd hold off on trying to max out until - well, for say another 6 months or something - there's a lot of skill and technique in these lifts when you are trying to max them, and you gotta practice the moves and make sure you know exactly how to do them before pushing that envelope . Once u got that down, then you can go wild...

also u will know better spotters...



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01-06-2002 06:36 AM



whiteboy351
Junior Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Westside
Posts: 3
heres a link to a site with a 1 rep max calculator if youre still interested:

Click here



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01-06-2002 06:42 AM



Ry Roid
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Yeah I tore my pec doing flat benches but, my BF was really low soo I was pushing the limits but, don't really do flats anymore. Don't take this the wrong way grishaxxl but, until I really looked at your avatar I always thought your monster guy had pom poms.hehehehe

RY


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01-06-2002 06:57 AM



grishaxxl
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ROFLLLLLL!!!
Not a DOOM player, I guess..

Actually, Ry - I'm glad you brought up pom-poms - I needed an excuse to post this...



grishaxxl has attached this image:




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01-06-2002 08:21 AM



Growing Dad
Senior Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 136
Thanks Gents
I do so appreciate the no B.S. advice! I think I will just cool my jets a bit. I am eager to test my limits, but not at the expense of injury. Considering I could hardly get 5 reps with 135 when I started, I'll be happy adding on just a couple 2 1/2s at a time!
I had just started benching at a slight incline about a month ago and I just amazed myself when I hit the flat bench the other day! I'll stick with the incline cuz it's working!
Thanks again!
GD


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01-06-2002 08:24 AM



sandblaster
Junior Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: So. Cali...
Posts: 7
If you're into bodybuilding and your goal is size, your best bet would be to leave the ego at the door. You can always do 3, 5 or even 8 rep maxes. Use those as your guides for determining if you're gaining or losing strength.

The problem with single rep maxing is that your form is just as important as your strength. At your maximal efforts, poor form can lead to injury. The greater the weight the more technical the lift becomes.

Ry posted that he does 495 x 6 on the incline. That is one hell of a lift and although it is six reps, he is still one VERY strong man. Frankly, this lift impresses me more than 550 on a flat bench...

SB



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01-06-2002 12:03 PM



FRKNHUGE
Future Junior Natl Powerlifting Champ

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: in your bed with ur girl, lol
Posts: 289
looks like im a lil late here
but here is my thought
if u do 225x5, in theory i would think u could go atleast 250
but u have no spotter, so--- DO NOT ATTEMPT IT, LOL
unless you want absolute power, dont do 1 rep maxes, if you dont train for it, they WILL hurt you
try 235 for a trip, that way if u get 2, and dont think ull get the third, then rack it, play it safe, the key to both styles of lifting is longevity

frk



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01-06-2002 01:15 PM



Growing Dad
Senior Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 136
Cool
My main goal is to be just flat out huge without looking like a slob(i've done the slob thing already!).
You guys are the best!
I'll say it again, I'd never be as far down the path as I am or worse yet injured, if it wasn't for solid guidance from solid people!
Peace to the good Bros! :


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Growing Dad
Protector of my family!
Transformation comes in response to a NEED as well as a DESIRE