2 (Well 4) Plates
I had my chest workout earlier today, and I’m pleased because I finally got past what, objectively speaking for many of the people here, is not a huge accomplishment, but for me had been a big mental barrier for a long time (as long as I’ve lifted). When I was in high school and college benching 4 plates (225) was always sort of beyond me. I was always in pretty good share, but just didn’t have it in me to grind it out with more than one of the big plates on each end of the barbell. I would keep at it and push myself but always look at the guys who were pushing out sets with multiple plates with, if not awe exactly, at least a little bit of envy. It was an accomplishment for me to start with 135 as my warmup.
I’ve been gradually getting stronger over the last few years and had crept up to doing reps at 185 and more recently felt like I was really pushing it with reps at 205 (45s + 35s), but 225 was a barrier that I had built up to be beyond me (when I looked at BB’s 1RM calculation as well in excess of 225, I thought it just wasn’t right, because I just couldn’t visualize myself pushing up 4 plates). Anyway, I was starting with a new workout plan today which had me doing a certain number of sets/reps at a % of my 1RM, and when I did the math for the bench press, I saw the ominous 225 come up. Thinking that I just couldn’t manage that, I was ready to make my own adjustment to the plan and drop those sets down to 205, but for some reason, just before starting, I felt inspired to go for it. So I did, and was very pleasantly surprised when the first rep felt *heavy* but manageable. I was able to finish the workout at the prescribed reps/sets/weights, which felt great.
I will be the first to admit that hitting a specific weight or lifting with 1 plate or 2 plates or 3 plates or more is superficial at best. I’m just feeling good because I got past a personal barrier that I had built up too much.
December 7, 2007 at 12:26 pm
superficial my ass! thats a good accomplishment, I am still working on 1 big plate each side of the bar, during my next power phase I hope to get a bunch higher but that was always my big barrier, when I hit it last and did it for 5×5, I could just jump outta my own skin! anytime you can crush a barrier or meet a goal in life, its cause for a bit of celebration, way to go my man, way to go
December 7, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Progress is still progress bro. Congrats!
December 7, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Xue (not sure how else to refer to you. Thanks for the feedback. It’s great to hear.
By superficial, more than anything else, I meant that it’s not so important whether you lift one plate or two or whatever; it’s most important that you’re always pushing yourself to whatver limits you’ve got. I like seeing the person who’s working their a** off with the 25s who cares about making themselves better more than I do the dude who’s got tons of weight piled on for ego but only does half a reps with crappy form.
Thanks again for the pat on the back.