When should I max?

[RusPA81]

Whats up guys. I am looking for your opinions on when I should max. I want to hit 405 on bench. I finished 340 on the 5x5 on Monday. I am wondering what you guys think would the appropriate corresponding weight on the 5x5 to hit 405. I am thinking about 355. I know that different people have different ratio's of reps to 1RM, but I still am looking for a general opinion. I don't really like to max to often because it messes with my normal workout so I want to make sure that I can get the first time I try, which is why I haven't tried yet. Thanks for you help.

 

[Fatty4You]

As far as i am concerned, maxing is purely an ego lift. Its not enough reps to build either strength or size. I rarely ever try to max.

But my friend, who is a monster, he kinda tries to max every workout. He'll start at lighter weight, and make large jumps, building up to one a huge rep. SOmething like

135x10
315x8
405x2
460x1

And he'll do that at the beginning of all his chest workouts. He is a mutant though, and i dont think that many people can do what he does.

So, here you have, one person who never maxes, and one person who doesn't do an all out max, but maxes most every workout. I think its all what you want to do. No need for special timing.

-Fatty

 

[Exodus]

As far as i am concerned, maxing is purely an ego lift. Its not enough reps to build either strength or size. I rarely ever try to max.

But my friend, who is a monster, he kinda tries to max every workout. He'll start at lighter weight, and make large jumps, building up to one a huge rep. SOmething like

135x10
315x8
405x2
460x1

And he'll do that at the beginning of all his chest workouts. He is a mutant though, and i dont think that many people can do what he does.

So, here you have, one person who never maxes, and one person who doesn't do an all out max, but maxes most every workout. I think its all what you want to do. No need for special timing.

-Fatty

thats a pretty messed up way of thinking. 1 rep max's build the cns and huge amounts of muscle. now doing them everyworkout till failure will halt progress, but within reason its ok. Also your friend is not so unique, there are tons of guys like that. Lots and lots of guys, that train like that and are that strong and even stronger. besides he just wants to test his strength, nothing wrong with that, gotta check your progress, besides thats a goal of his.

X

 

[Lift Chief]

You should rarely do your 1RM. Maybe once every 3 or 4 weeks. Also you have to be careful as it's very easy to get injured. I suppose it has its place every once in awhile though.

 

[RusPA81]

I haven't maxed in almost 2 years. Like I said, I rarely max since it messes with my regular workouts, I just want to see if can hit 405.

 

[louden_swain]

Frankly, I don't see the point in maxing unless your are a powerlifter. If you do choose to max, be sure to warm up. Let us know what happens.

 

[Fatty4You]

1 rep max's build the cns and huge amounts of muscle.
X

I agree that 1 rep maxes can help you develop CNS connections, but as for muscle i am not so sure. If that were the case, how come powerlifters aren't always huge muscle bound freaks. Now, dont get me wrong: they are rediculously strong and they do have plenty of muscle. BUT, they dont have the kind of muscle size that say a pro bodybuilder would have, even though bodybuilders are not as strong.

Of course there are exceptions both ways, but i am talking general.

-Fatty

 

[gymtime]

I agree with LS. I can't even remember the last time I maxed. Not that I think it's a bad thing to do once in a while, but certainly not something that should be empasized as part of a workout.

 

[gettinlarger]

I do it to test my strength on occasion, and to give my ego a little boost. Haha.