March Challenge - Bench Press

[SRS13]

Thanks Birds and thanks for posting. tried for the 19th rep but just couldn't push it out. Bit embarrassing but hey! I was happy thinking I beat rev's 17 and then he goes and does the 22 the SOB lol

I'm down to 79kg now (from 86kg over 6 months ago).

Trozzle - just post up mate. It's not about winning or losing, it's about giving it a crack and improving your own performance.

[rev210]

still a little sore in the chest from the first attempt at this .....I feel old.

[Birds]

cbf recording it unless I know I'm in contention for the win I'm happy enough with 9 reps of bodyweight though, so I'm not entirely disappointed. Hopefully I can get it up to video-worthy level before end of month

No one is going to beat rev at this, should still chuck up a vid though. People might be able to spot issues with form that you don't realise and it encourages others to have a go too.

[L33SH]

Don't worry Troy I did it and I sucked

Edited March 11, 2013 by L33SH

[Birds]

You got 11 reps, that's good!

[rev210]

Don't worry Troy I did it and I sucked

11 is actually very good. remember this is a starting point too so you can only become more awesome at it !

Challenge yourself first and foremost. It's the best mindset

Push yourself, then your body will do what it's designed to do and get stronger. By the time this challenge is done I believe you can get to 22 L33SH , go for it!

Edited March 11, 2013 by rev210

[L33SH]

I don't have your belief Rev, but thanks

[rev210]

I don't have your belief Rev, but thanks

No problem . Want to encourage your belief in yourself, I'd love to help see you go from disapointment in 11 to determination for 22.

If you 'want' 22 , 20 ,15 or even 40 enough to try for it ,then you will have the most important ingredient that will get you there.

Edited March 11, 2013 by rev210

[L33SH]

I need strength though

[rev210]

I need strength though

Thats the easy part, if there is one thing from just giving this a shot it is you will get stronger. The hard part is activating the higher performance you have waiting with mind attitude.

Think about this .... If you never give your body a shot at getting to 22 you can't actually know you will never get there. Your limits could be even higher? No one can tell you it's not possible.

You can do it!

Edited March 11, 2013 by rev210

[Birds]

No problem . Want to encourage your belief in yourself, I'd love to help see you go from disapointment in 11 to determination for 22.

If you 'want' 22 , 20 ,15 or even 40 enough to try for it ,then you will have the most important ingredient that will get you there.

I've tried, she gives up too easily! Can't wait til she is in Melbourne again, then I can show her what the body is capable of when you have the above

But I'm glad she attempted the challenge, that's half way there.

[L33SH]

What do you mean I give up too easily?

[Birds]

On the mind/attitude side of things, IMO the bench press tests willpower more than any other exercise. So many times (usually during 1RM attempts or low rep sets) I've had the bar half way up and - like an epic arm wrestle - have taken a solid 15-20 seconds to finish the rep, inching the bar up millimetre by millimetre, fighting back the growing urge to just let it fall. It's an amazing feeling of accomplishment and no other exercise brings that out in me.

Think I built that willpower from the days where I trained solo and, many times it was a case of get the bar up or get crushed!

[Trozzle]

Can't wait til she is in Melbourne again, then I can show her what the body is capable of

[jangles]

I was thinking the same thing.

[jangles]

Thanks Birds and thanks for posting. tried for the 19th rep but just couldn't push it out. Bit embarrassing but hey! I was happy thinking I beat rev's 17 and then he goes and does the 22 the SOB lol

I'm down to 79kg now (from 86kg over 6 months ago).

Trozzle - just post up mate. It's not about winning or losing, it's about giving it a crack and improving your own performance.

It appears you do not drive with your legs at all, is that the case?

[NickR33]

What was your bodyweight John? 80kg from memory?

Good form and solid reps throughout! Almost had the 19th...

SRS13

BW: 80kg

BP: 80kg x 18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_irH8fbKbHs

Solid effort!

[SRS13]

It appears you do not drive with your legs at all, is that the case?

I cant say that I know exactly what that means or that I do or don't do it but I try to 'plant' my legs, get a good strong base and then drive with my whole body.

Open to suggestions to improve the technique .

Solid effort!

Thanks Nick. Don't think I can do many more than that but will give it another crack.

[TTT]

IMO the bench press tests willpower more than any other exercise

You know how I know you've never done 20 rep breathing squats?

[Birds]

You know how I know you've never done 20 rep breathing squats?

I have a bumper sticker on my car that states my aversion to 20 rep squats.