A Clean Slate and 260 Bench Press?
Coming off a four day break, I went to the gym last night with no plan in mind. All muscle groups were well rested, so I was starting with a clean slate, I could do whatever exercises I wanted! I knew though that I would do some heavy lifting no matter what. I arrived at the gym to find it very crowded. The power rack was in use with two people waiting, so my options started to diminish. The bench press was free, so my decision was made for me. Time to try for a new PB on bench press.
After warming up chest for about 5 minutes, I did a set of 135×6. Felt light, so I knew I could press some heavy weight! Went straight to 225 and did a single lift, still felt great. I decided to go for broke and loaded up to 260 pounds, a weight I’d never tried before except for a negative. I looked around for a spotter, a couple of guys I knew were good spotters were busy working out together so I didn’t want to interrupt. I asked a guy close by who I knew could handle the weight, although his way of spotting is not my favorite. He helped with the lift-off, and as I lowered the bar he kept in contact with it. I did the first rep and although he says he didn’t help me, is that really true? Can I really say I’ve done a 260 bench press when the spotter was touching the bar the whole time? The second rep he definatly gave me a push. By that time there were two guys waiting for the bench press, so I just did one more set, I stayed with 260 and let the spotter help me do 3 assisted reps.
This was a little bit of a let down at first, I didn’t feel the sense of accomplishment I should have lifting so much weight for the first time. But I soon put it in perspective, things aren’t always going to unfold at the gym the exact way I hope, and the positives that I can take away from that bench pressing are huge! I am working with weights that would have been impossible a year ago, my strength is steadily increasing and I can see my pecs developing. Every workout is a new experience to learn from and another step towards being the best I can be and more specifically, another step towards my 315 bench press goal. After bench pressing I did 14 sets for chest, 12 sets for upper back and lats, and 8 sets for shoulders. Finished off with a killer set of 50 seated cable crunches for abs. After all that work I felt exhausted and great at the same time. Anyone who gives it their all at the gym will know what I mean! Next workout - deadlift PB attempt!
May 22, 2009 at 9:55 am
Great job on the bench Tony. I would say you got that 260 even if he was touching it. You did a lot of sets last night…slate is no longer clean lol. Keep working hard.