Saxo Boy said it all really, and did so quicker than me.

 

There are the sort of conversations I used to have with my mates that would make outragous strength claims - I'd then get them down the gym and sling them a 50kg dumbell and watch them drop it!! They could hardly hold it let alone bench it )

 

Saxo Boy that is something that happens all too often at gyms all over the country

Banny

 

Is there a rough pertentage difference between dumbells and barbell?

I mean, if you can bench 30kg dumbells what would your barbell bench press be?

I've never benched with dumbells, only used barbell but I will give it a try (when my back eventually gets better)

My bench press is pathetic though, my weakest part.

 

It really depends on how much you have trained in a certain way. For example: back in the day I used to be obsessed with the A-frame machine and did all my benches on that as opposed to free. I was up to around 100kg and thought I was the man compared to the weeds doing free benches with an olympic bar for a total of around 75kg. One day some guy was hogging the A-frame to hell so I fired into 80kg on the free bench to 'warm up' . I got if off the rungs and very quickly realised my error when I couldn't stop it moving around. Like a moving building I knew it was coming down and I managed to chuck the bar off to one side so it didn't crush my chest. I learnt a lot about lifting weights in those few seconds FWIW I was only good for around 50kg although my progress to 75-80kg was pretty quick as it was more about my muscles learning than actually growing

 

I bench press 80kg , I do weights one day a week , then 3 days just training,

 

I use 2x 30 kg dumbells and just wondered if its average, and my form is spot on the whole time. I think i could do more maybe but that is the max weight at my gym.us

 

TYPING these from my wii so sorry if it looks odd

 

 

I started training last year from scratch. Slowly built up the weights so as not to injure myself. Started a routine based around compound stuff. After 5 months my bench with free weight barbell was 62kg for reps. I hurt my back in december and haven't touched weights since. It's been a real struggle for me though and I've worked hard to get there, shame I've thrown it away really Thing is my bench is poor compared to ther lifts IMO, I can barbell curl 40kg's on my ez bar for reps etc

My mate I consider quite strong and he's currently on 42kg dumbells.

I guess people talking about 'average' and 40kg dumbells in the same sentence must be thinking average person that's been going to the gym for a couple of years.

 

Using Chi power is cheating too.

I personally use weight gain 3000 - welcome to the gun show



MB

 

I used to like the Smith machine that help when bench pressing, or having a mate to spot, keep the form as you lift up.

Also, depends what you after here, do you lift to tone, to bulk ? Sometimes more cardio, reducing your body fat, makes you more cut, and look deceptively stronger.

Genetics plays a vital part. Im sure most people who go to the gym, knows of a chap that lifts vast amounts without any problem, that isnt on the gear. A natural so to speak. I wouldnt worry about others, train to your own body requirements.

I personally hate weight training, but I love the after feeling, your body is pumped, your arms, shoulders look good and you feel powerful. Its like jogging, hate it, but once finished, you feel on a high.

Another thing I love was being on the juice ! I loved it, from the moment I jabbed it in me ! Mmmmmm the gains were amazing, but you must remember to eat good clean food, as to bulk, you've got to eat. I used to train with a group, and was amazed at how quickly I was out training them. Mind you, I suffered terrible roid rage. Didnt get the spots, just rage !

Now, Im just natural, I work out to stay strong, feel firm, and keep fit.

SBK

 

totally agree with this!

 

It's true about the guided bench press and the free too...I can bench 120 on the guided, but can only just do 80 on the flat and decline bench. As for dumbell press, I can only just do 40, but I don't really do it much. I tend to do lower weights greater reps now anyway as I want more definition.

There are some monsters in my gym that can bench 160+ on the free bench...I susupect most of them to be on some kind of gear.

 

The 23 stone man must be using crap gear. Im 5' 10" and slightly over 15 stone and can do 62kg for 3 sets of between 9 dropping to 6 reps by my last set. Yes i take steroids but id expect a 23 stone man to be able to lift a lot more than me. The bigger heavier blokes in my gym certainly can anyway.

@ druggies

 

f'me there are some superb claims on here..

I would say a normal grown man, flat dumbell press WITH CORRECT FORM (repeat) GOOD FORM, not this 2 inches down and back up, 25kg to 30kg.

I recommend you post this question on muscletalk.co.uk you would get a far more objective answer

 

I would say average is around your body weight on the bench, As for dumbells, these are a differnt story if your not used to them as they use a wider muscle group to stabilise the arm!!

On dumbells I would say that around 30kgs are average!

I pushed out 6 the other day on 45kgs, and they were heavy!!!! I was well impressed with myself, especially as the biggest guy in the gym said to me and my mate 'I am the only guy in here who can lift them'.

Not bad for a guy who weighs 12 stone I reckon!!!

 

It also depends how far into your work out you are. I have been going to the gym for about 18 months now and when i am on chest and tri day i rotate my exercises. If i do dumbbell presses first then i use 40s or 42s (if i have a friend spotting me). If i do some other chest exercises first then come to do dumbell presses then i can normally only use something like 34s.

I would consider myself reasonably strong. From looking round my gym i would say that most men press between 30-40. Then again we are talking about gym people here. I would say that the 'average' UK male could press no where near that.

All IMO of course.

 

ok if anyone on here wants to take up this challenge
i will wager 50 quid that no scoobynetter can press 60 kg dumb bells for 4 sets of 6 reps
id struggle to get 3- 4 reps and im STRONG
im in st helens but willtravel
money to go to children in need

 

Its a weight over reps equation.

I would say 35's or 42's for 10-12 for 4 sets, with good form.

But never forget:

Pre-exhaust
Supersets
Drop sets

All in combination over months. Never stick to straight bench, bar or dumbs. Its the mix that builds.

 

Dumbell press:

Normal bloke: Between 25-30kg

Regular gym-goer: 35-40kg

Natural bodybuilder, 15/16 stone-ish: 40-50kg

Steroid bodybuilder, 18-20 stone: 50-60kg

IMO.

 

120kg is a very large amount to be able to bench press IMO, i only know a few people that can manage over that and there all on steroids.

As someone previously mentioned i think for a average man to be able to bench press there own body weight is a good level.

The strongest guy at my old gym managed 26 reps of 140kg (20kg bar and 6 plates) and the most i ever seen him do was 200kg

 

How can anyone advise that 60 or whatever KG is good average? I would say that 80-90% of your body weight is a good start assuming that you're relatively lean eg 17-23% bodyfat. Experienced trainers should be able to bench free weight barbell in excess of 100% of their bodyweight. However, you won't be able to the same weights with dumbells since this requires more use of supportive muscles. Smith machines allows you to "cheat" and therefore allow you to lift heavier weights however doesn't develop your supportive muscles like free weights.

 

i can lift, well, regularly lift, 20-25kg on each dumbell for around 3 sets of 8 reps, and im 12 stone, 5'11" and been lifting for about 3 months, 3x a week, id consider myself totally average!... more than that i think my chest would be tearing apart lol, but then again my form is pretty bang on and well timed, which make me feel more on the muscle than quick short motion with larger weights

 

I think the general feeling is around your own body weight is good/average!! I would steer clear from the Smith machine unless you train by yourself and go 'heavy'! I don't like Smith machines at all!!!! All free weights!!

 

I benched 200 kilos free weight the other day, I was very grateful when those lads lifted it off me.

Makes me laugh all the ***** waving, I lifted 120 kilos once, two lads spotting me and I got it most of the way back up, therefore I can bench 120 kilos.

I have seen a proper monster, hard core bodybuilder, not on gear do 2 * 60 dumbells in a proper bodybuilding gym and it caused a stir, it is not a routine occurance.

 

Jacko, maybe its me but i didn't really understand your question, if you are saying that lifting 2x 60kg is not a regular occurance (which is true to a degree) then **** me if you can bench press with proper form 200kg free weight then you should be entering strongman comps my friend.

seriously that is a serious weight - unless your taking the pee of course

 

lol i remember the first time i done that, i woz maybe 17 and man i thought it woz gonna fall on top of me, lol it woz so hard at the time it woz a free weight but hey all easy now

 

i couldn't agree more ,that kind of weight is world class !! after reading this thread there are ither more people out there on steroids than i realised or a load of bullshi**ers , becausae i know a few people who have trained for 20 years and shift serious weight but nothng like the weights bandied about on here , unless there some kg ? pound confusions !!

 

Well i'm sorry to disappoint you, but he can't. Blimey, i've been in this game over 20 years so i DO know what i'm talking about. If there's one subject which provokes exaggerated claims it's a BB thread. I'm just trying to say it exactly as it is.