Why cant a bench near as much as most people?

[chrisw08]

I was competly inactive pretty much my whole life and started doing martial arts when I was 16. I went on a lifting spree for 6 months and doubled my lifting weight on everything and got pretty stacked for the way i was before in only 6 months. I could only bench 120 once now I can bench around 135 or so once I just dont understand why i cant bench that much im 5 9 22 and pretty average but ive seen small people like me bench 180 pounds i just dont understand here is how much i lift on my excercises and could you share what you think is the deal?

Chest- Chest press 50x8 60x3

Shoulder-Dumbell military press 28x6

Tricep-tricep extensions 18x12

Back-Bent over barbell row 85x10

Bicep-Barbell medium curl 65x4

[MasterPain]

Just keep working on it, and don't worry how you compare to other people.

[Zaine]

Like MasterPain says, don't worry about it. I find that people who want to go to the gym often don't because they don't want to be embarrassed by those who are doing better than them, but everybody has to start somewhere. Don't worry about those who benching more than you. Just workout and enjoy yourself.

[chrisw08]

Thanks for the support I was just wondering how these little not very muscular looking guys bench more than me. Im not unmotivated just confused about it. Im pretty muscular looking

[Zaine]

Just conditioning.

[GeoGiant]

I'm 6'4" and 180 lbs and I've been working out with weights for a longtime. I usually bench 130 to 150 lbs. I've gotten my bench press up to 200 lbs a few times and I always ended up hurting a shoulder or pulling something. I finally gave up with the heavy weight, I just figured i don't have the body type to lift heavy.

If i were you i would not focus on weight, focus on fitness and cross training.

[GeoGiant]

I'm 6'4" and 180 lbs and I've been working out with weights for a longtime. I usually bench 130 to 150 lbs. I've gotten my bench press up to 200 lbs a few times and I always ended up hurting a shoulder or pulling something. I finally gave up with the heavy weight, I just figured i don't have the body type to lift heavy.

If i were you i would not focus on weight, focus on fitness and cross training.

[Drew]

Thanks for the support I was just wondering how these little not very muscular looking guys bench more than me. Im not unmotivated just confused about it. Im pretty muscular looking

Being pretty "muscular looking" is a whole lot different from being strong. Take a gander at this here little lady http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdpET1ztZlQ

That lass doesn't look particularly strong, but she can squat more than twice her weight raw at that age.

The key factor of strength is not having visible muscles but intense nueromuscular conditioning, using what you have better. I know plenty of people with very visible muscles because of low body fat, but not many of them can put up twice their weight in any lift.

Just keep at it. Read about strength training, make yourself a good, educated program, and be consistent. You'll get to where you want to be.

[bushido_man96]

A simple 5x5 program will help you gain strength on your bench. Start with a load you know you can handle, and do 5 sets of 5 reps. The next session, add 5 lbs to the weight previously done, for another 5 sets of 5 reps. You only have to lift 3 days a week to make gains. Look into something like Starting Strength to get a good start into building strength, if that's what you are looking for.

[jaypo]

I had the same problem when I first started. I found that using dumbells helped me out tremendously. They force you to use your stabilizing muscles (in your arms- mainly triceps) and make them strong. I usually do about 6 weeks of dumbells and go back to bench. However, I haven't been able to use a barbell in years because I tore my labrum in my shoulder from lifting too heavy (315 when I was 175 lbs). So I use strictly dumbells and chest press maching.

If you keep it up, you'll get stronger.