Is it the gear pushing the weights?

[Slaine]

I've been training now for say 4 years, no steriods, just lots of hard work and eating well, I'm 6ft and about 210lbs. Yet everytime I come on here I hear of sensational claims about training weights, most of the time these guys are pushing about 3 times more weight than me and they are only say, 20lbs heavier than me, some are the same, why is this, does gear boost your strength that much!!

For example, my bench press training weight is from 140lbs to 168lbs, I might be able to squeeze 175 at a push. My shoudler press before my cuff injury was about 80lbs tops! a lot of guys on here use 150lbs just as a warm up, it's outragous!!!

 

[xrsist]

how may sets and reps are you doing at those weights?

 

[no1_brawler]

I've been training now for say 4 years, no steriods, just lots of hard work and eating well, I'm 6ft and about 210lbs. Yet everytime I come on here I hear of sensational claims about training weights, most of the time these guys are pushing about 3 times more weight than me and they are only say, 20lbs heavier than me, some are the same, why is this, does gear boost your strength that much!!

For example, my bench press training weight is from 140lbs to 168lbs, I might be able to squeeze 175 at a push. My shoudler press before my cuff injury was about 80lbs tops! a lot of guys on here use 150lbs just as a warm up, it's outragous!!!

NO gear doesnt boost your strength that much. Sorry to say if your benching 175lbs at 210lbs you are WEAK. I'm 18, weigh 200lbs and bench press 320lbs Max.

 

[drwoody]

To answer you question,NO!! There gear is not pushing the weights.

I'm 10lbs less than you,6ft 200lbs.My max bench was 275lbs before I ever touch gear.Gear does give you extra strenght for sure,but its years of hard work and proper trainging and dieting that is pushing the weight.

Gear is just like the cherry on top,gives you that extra edge.

Your on the right track,keep training hard and eating well.

Good luck to you

 

[Bruce]

well i would not call him weak because he has had an injury and also probably has pretty long arms i'm assuming like me which can make benching hard. still i put up 235 at 170 and scrawny compared to now. the funny thing is i no longer do any heavy weights due to back problems but i mean shit not heavy is what you are saying you do for your heavy sets. i do 185 now a good 12 times with great form, but actually i rarely do any work with barbells on bench. i much prefer hitting flys first to get blood pumping into the chest. then i go to 10-8-8-6-6 sets of dumbell bench with perfect form.


what do you think your bf is man, cause you weigh more than me and are doing a lot less weight. 135 is like the beginining weight for most guys who are ready to lift naturally. i will say that benching is genetics because my boy does 475 like a feather and thats no joke, he was able to do 250 when we started lifting. he just has a barrell chest and its really easy for him. i really only ever got up near 290 at the most, it is impressive for my small frame but its nowhere near my boys. on the other hand my back puts his to shame any day of the week. i can pull down more and my bi's are stronger. so that is genetic for me. i also know guys who are 6 4 and played hoops that can barely do 125 with stability.

 

[sardonicone]

I've been training now for say 4 years, no steriods, just lots of hard work and eating well, I'm 6ft and about 210lbs. Yet everytime I come on here I hear of sensational claims about training weights, most of the time these guys are pushing about 3 times more weight than me and they are only say, 20lbs heavier than me, some are the same, why is this, does gear boost your strength that much!!

For example, my bench press training weight is from 140lbs to 168lbs, I might be able to squeeze 175 at a push. My shoudler press before my cuff injury was about 80lbs tops! a lot of guys on here use 150lbs just as a warm up, it's outragous!!!

I'm curious as to how hard you're hitting the weights if you can only do that much weight.

I weigh 145 and I crank out more than you, and I've never been on gear. What are your workouts like? What is your diet like? Are there any other underlying conditions we should know about? I'm not the strongest guy around, in fact I'm far from it, but I can put up at least 205 on the bench, which, while not great, is 60 lbs over my bodyweight.

Maybe there's an underlying issue causing you to not gain strength.

 

[misticat]

thats bad... before i started my first cycle I was pushing 275 for flat bench 6 times when i weighed 185 after 2 years of lifting...

 

[advanced-stealth]

Could you post more info on your training.

 

[Powerbuilder333]

I started out with a very weak bench. Long arms are a huge disadvantage. Learn how to shorten you range of motion (develope your arch, rotate shoulder blades in towards your spine, and take a 32" grip) and eat to increase chest thickness. AAS can increase your benching strength POTENTIAL by at least 10%, and maybe a little more.
Good Luck.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

I did my first cycle when i was maxin 275 on the bench, i just couldnt get any stornger.

Im not that much stornger now to be honest, but im about 25lbs lighter and i and 10x happier with the way i look.

 

[Sue Me]

Yeah, haven't done any gear yet, and a little taller, but same weight almost, 6'4", 211lbs, had a rotator cuff injury (supra) to the left & right this fall, and I just got up to 205lbs for my last 2 sets today (5 reps)....so just keep eating and lifting.

 

[no1_brawler]

Most STEROIDS do not increase your CNS. The steroids gives you strength thought increased muscle mass which in turn means you'll weigh more. Most roids wont make you stronger P4P. You have to do that with training correctly for strength.

 

[st8grad]

I'm sure telling the guy how much each of you weigh and bench really helped answer his questions. Be careful on the movements you choose with a rotator cuff problem. Benching with "good form" can wreak havoc on those muscles. The whole bar to your chest thing is really not good for your AC Joint, Rotator Cuff, or your Glenoid Labrum. If you come about 2 inches above your chest you are fine. Less stress on the shoulders and more on the chest and tri's.

Like powerbuilder said, learn how to pinch your shoulder blades together and get that ring or middle finger out to the ring on the bar. You gotta drive through with your feet etc.

The other thing guy is that you can't come into the gym every monday for 4 years and do 3 sets of 10 at the same weight. You are decent size if you are 210 at 6'1", not gonna win Mr Olympia, but your not wasting away either. Try some lower reps of heavier weight. Warm up completely, then do 4 sets of 4-6. If you get 6 reps on the weight bump up 2.5-5 pounds the next week.

Check out the max-ot style of lifting (do a google search)....it's a good routine to add strength. Don't buy any of their products, the routine is free. And look around a little and get your diet in check. Don't worry about the other guys bragging about their crappy bench max's either....just read up on nutrition and periodization of your routine and you will make some nice gains quickly.

It's not a magic pill, but yes the steroids do make you that much stronger. You need to do a ton of research before you head down that road however. And it is true that diet and training need to be 100% before, during, and after a cycle. But anyone that says it only helped them "a little" or only "10%" is living in that world of hazing and trying to run newbies who just want to get educated through the same bullshit they had to deal with when they were noobs. If gear only worked "a little" then no one would bother. But I will agree that your bench should be much much higher than 175 all natural. You could and should be easily in the mid 200's. Good luck bro.

 

[st8grad]

Most STEROIDS do not increase your CNS. The steroids gives you strength thought increased muscle mass which in turn means you'll weigh more. Most roids wont make you stronger P4P. You have to do that with training correctly for strength.

I hate to debate that, but absolutely steroids will make you stronger pound for pound. I'm not going to even bother looking around for clinical studies on this, but clearly some compounds are even coveted for there ability to increase strength. Anavar and test run together on subject x will yield approx the same muscle mass as test only on subject x, but the anavar/test combo will definitely yield greater results in strength than test only all other variables being considered equal.

That's not to say that this guy should just jump into using AAS without understanding training and diet.

 

[Nelson Montana]

I agree. They do make you stronger, no doubt. It isn't just the additional muscle they build. There's increased creatine, blood volume and other variables that are pretty instant.

Having said that, some people simple have genetically superior tensile strength (connective tissues, etc) But the Bench Press is my WORST move -- always was. I have long arms, I'm off the juice, weigh under 200 pounds, I have a blown out shoulder and I'm 53 and I can bench more than 170.

Maybe you need to simply train harder. I know natural guys who lift more than guys on a gram a week so that's not always the answer.

Sometimes you have to get "mentally tough" to get stronger. And sometimes, the juice can provide a little of that as well.

 

[glover]

I had to chime in when I read some reply's. Gear will absolutely make you stronger not just a little. When I started gear I could bench 100 lbs over my body weight after gear I could bench 200 lbs over my body weight and squat went up even more.

Why do you think strength athelets take them

 

[no1_brawler]

I hate to debate that, but absolutely steroids will make you stronger pound for pound. I'm not going to even bother looking around for clinical studies on this, but clearly some compounds are even coveted for there ability to increase strength. Anavar and test run together on subject x will yield approx the same muscle mass as test only on subject x, but the anavar/test combo will definitely yield greater results in strength than test only all other variables being considered equal.

That's not to say that this guy should just jump into using AAS without understanding training and diet.

I said MOST. Yes steroids in the DHT class increase CNS activity which in-turn improves strength. But Test and Nandrolone dont make you stronger p4p, and if they do its minimal. Most of the strength comes from added muscle mass

 

[NickyE3]

as you get stronger with the weights, remember to also train your rotator cuffs to keep their strength up as well.

I have a bad right shoulder and bench is a pain in the ass

 

[Powerbuilder333]

Where I basically agree with st8grad I have to take exception to being called a bullshitter. I don't ever intend to decieve anyone.
Before my first cycle (after 9 years of training) I could cheat bench (touch and go with a illegal bridge) 455. After 12 weeks with a Deca only cycle I could cheat bench 505. That's real close to a 10% improvement.
On my legal style deadlift I went from 665 to 675, that's closer to a 1% improvement. I'm a competitive powerlifter, and I use gear because any improvement increases my chance of winning, and no one wants to give up an advantage to a competitor.
Believe me I'd love to say gear will turn a 400 bench into a 800 bench - but that's not the case for most people.

 

[st8grad]

Where I basically agree with st8grad I have to take exception to being called a bullshitter. I don't ever intend to decieve anyone.
Before my first cycle (after 9 years of training) I could cheat bench (touch and go with a illegal bridge) 455. After 12 weeks with a Deca only cycle I could cheat bench 505. That's real close to a 10% improvement.
On my legal style deadlift I went from 665 to 675, that's closer to a 1% improvement. I'm a competitive powerlifter, and I use gear because any improvement increases my chance of winning, and no one wants to give up an advantage to a competitor.
Believe me I'd love to say gear will turn a 400 bench into a 800 bench - but that's not the case for most people.

Didn't intend to call you a bullshitter. I think the percentage thing screwed with my statement. I was thinking that they should take you from 200 to greater than 220 in a cycle for example. That 10% increase I wouldn't be too happy with. The fifty pounds you added to your bench would represent a 45% increase for our 200 pound example bencher. Now that is the type of improvement I was thinking of. At your level, the improvements are harder to come by although anyone would be happy with a 505 bench even if they were at 495 previous to their cycle. So your statement is completely true, but I hope for this guys sake he doesn't only add 10% to his 168 reps weight if he decides on a cycle. Sorry for the insult, again not intended.

 

[Powerbuilder333]

^^^Agreed.
The closer you are to your genetic limit, the less dramatic of a differance gear is likely to make, but it's about the only way to defy your limitations.
A typical beginner could enjoy great improvement on a light cycle.
Oh yeah. Bodyfat can also help up your bench. I'm not recommending anyone try to put on bodyfat, but it does improves leverages. If a big bench is your #1 priority, then building a big gut will only help your bench. The opposite happens with the deadlift - a big gut will throw you out of your natural groove.

 

[zk7]

I've been training now for say 4 years, no steriods, just lots of hard work and eating well, I'm 6ft and about 210lbs. Yet everytime I come on here I hear of sensational claims about training weights, most of the time these guys are pushing about 3 times more weight than me and they are only say, 20lbs heavier than me, some are the same, why is this, does gear boost your strength that much!!

For example, my bench press training weight is from 140lbs to 168lbs, I might be able to squeeze 175 at a push. My shoudler press before my cuff injury was about 80lbs tops! a lot of guys on here use 150lbs just as a warm up, it's outragous!!!

It's all Gear dude, Gear doubles your strenght like overnight.

 

[zk7]

To answer you question,NO!! There gear is not pushing the weights.

I'm 10lbs less than you,6ft 200lbs.My max bench was 275lbs before I ever touch gear.Gear does give you extra strenght for sure,but its years of hard work and proper trainging and dieting that is pushing the weight.

Gear is just like the cherry on top,gives you that extra edge.

Your on the right track,keep training hard and eating well.

Good luck to you

Gear is also the quick fix for many people and it works very well as a quick fix, so lets be honest. The whole point of many people taking Gear is because they don't want to wait Years to develop a body, they want a QUICK Fix and Gear does that. Most people dont even train right or eat right UNTIL THEY ARE ON GEAR then they train and eat perfect. THats because they have more faith in the Gear than themselves.

 

[lil-swole]

It's all Gear dude, Gear doubles your strenght like overnight.

Dude, honestly... I've watched you post for a while now.. It seems like you actually know a little bit, but you always throw in something retarded to get on people's nerves.. like playing games to stir up shit, just trying to get the "wtf" reaction out of people. sometimes you make me laugh, and sometimes I'm just like "wtf?... stfu for the love of god, please..." I hope for your sake that you are playing games, because if you really are sincere then, well...

 

[thebadguy54]

This may be a useful guide for a 200 lb. male:

Elite Athlete: 300 lbs. for reps (or 1.5 x body weight bench press)
Advanced Athlete: 250 lbs. (or 1.25 x body weight bench press)
Intermediate Athlete: 200 lbs. (or 1 x body weight bench press)
Beginner: 150 lbs. (or .75 x body weight bench press)

 

[st8grad]

This may be a useful guide for a 200 lb. male:

Elite Athlete: 300 lbs. for reps (or 1.5 x body weight bench press)
Advanced Athlete: 250 lbs. (or 1.25 x body weight bench press)
Intermediate Athlete: 200 lbs. (or 1 x body weight bench press)
Beginner: 150 lbs. (or .75 x body weight bench press)

Is this a guide to see about how strong you should be at a given level? I'm not elite but I can bench 1.5 times my bodyweight. I can bench more than I squat though.....I run 40 miles a week so I can't risk loading heavy weights and being sore for a week. My squat would put my in the begginer category. My point is that everyone is different and I would not just jump to the conclusion that an elite 200 pound athlete should bench 300 or that someone is elite if they do bench 300.

 

[sardonicone]

This may be a useful guide for a 200 lb. male:

Elite Athlete: 300 lbs. for reps (or 1.5 x body weight bench press)
Advanced Athlete: 250 lbs. (or 1.25 x body weight bench press)
Intermediate Athlete: 200 lbs. (or 1 x body weight bench press)
Beginner: 150 lbs. (or .75 x body weight bench press)

I'd never consider myself "elite" and I can bench 1.5 times my bodyweight.

 

[thebadguy54]

I'd never consider myself "elite" and I can bench 1.5 times my bodyweight.

The bench press is only ONE measure of strength.

Those of you who can bench 315 and don't consider yourselves elite are correct! You chest strength may be considered comparable to what an olympic gymnist can to but can you do 40 dead hang pull ups? They can... for a warm up.

If you can do ALL of the following (and more) then you may actually be elite!

Squat 2 x body weight
Pistols (one legged body weight squat) 25 each leg
Push ups - 60 on rings
overhead squat - bodyweight x 15 reps (good luck with this one)
1/4 mile run in 1:04
1/2 mile run in 2:20
deadlift 2.5 x bodyweight
handstand push ups - 10 (full range)
1.5 x bodyweight clean
vertical jump of 30 inches
50 dips on rings
pull up with extra 1 x bodyweight
1.25 x bodyweight snach
5 minute mile

Obviously you can be considered elite in one thing and a begginer in another! So the guy that can bench 315 AND run a 5 minute mile is much more impressive then the guy that can bench 315 but can't run.

 

[methodx31]

I've been training now for say 4 years, no steriods, just lots of hard work and eating well, I'm 6ft and about 210lbs. Yet everytime I come on here I hear of sensational claims about training weights, most of the time these guys are pushing about 3 times more weight than me and they are only say, 20lbs heavier than me, some are the same, why is this, does gear boost your strength that much!!

For example, my bench press training weight is from 140lbs to 168lbs, I might be able to squeeze 175 at a push. My shoudler press before my cuff injury was about 80lbs tops! a lot of guys on here use 150lbs just as a warm up, it's outragous!!!

Some advice about the info you find on here; some of it very good but be aware, if it smells like shit, tastes like shit, it's probably shit. There is alot of shit info by "bodybuilders" and other "athletes" here. Look around and learn about what juice can realistically do for you. Good luck

 

[sardonicone]

The bench press is only ONE measure of strength.

Those of you who can bench 315 and don't consider yourselves elite are correct! You chest strength may be considered comparable to what an olympic gymnist can to but can you do 40 dead hang pull ups? They can... for a warm up.

If you can do ALL of the following (and more) then you may actually be elite!

Squat 2 x body weight
Pistols (one legged body weight squat) 25 each leg
Push ups - 60 on rings
overhead squat - bodyweight x 15 reps (good luck with this one)
1/4 mile run in 1:04
1/2 mile run in 2:20
deadlift 2.5 x bodyweight
handstand push ups - 10 (full range)
1.5 x bodyweight clean
vertical jump of 30 inches
50 dips on rings
pull up with extra 1 x bodyweight
1.25 x bodyweight snach
5 minute mile

Obviously you can be considered elite in one thing and a begginer in another! So the guy that can bench 315 AND run a 5 minute mile is much more impressive then the guy that can bench 315 but can't run.

Interesting checklist. I should make it a goal that I can do all of those things.

 

[thebadguy54]

Interesting checklist. I should make it a goal that I can do all of those things.

That's what that is... my list of goals... there's more but I didn't feel like typing it all. I'm close to some of those things and not so close to others. Let me know how you make out... especially with the OHS. Like I said, the guy that can do ALL those things is a f'n cyborg!