Can You Bench 405lbs DRUG FREE?

[@AlexanderBromley]

BaseStrengthAI is more reliable than a coach, cheaper than an Excel template!👇👇👇 www.BaseStrength.com/the-app Bromley Merch from Barbell Apparel only available HERE! 👇👇👇 barbellapparel.com/Bromley

[@CaciqueShinobi]

Hey Alex, quick question. Can deadlifts help someone with lumbar arthritis? I got degenerative disc disease in my l4 to s1, but I feel as though doing actual lifting would benefit my back/lumbar and help me in the long run.

[@someguy2972]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aofZZnaphZajd8k

[@mikenuzzo3323]

​@@glenros516back lift? What's the other name

[@beetlejuice4693]

Alpha destiny did and he was also under 200lbs. Which is extremely impressive more than 2x bw

[@ericgatlin6414]

Im a small guy about 5'5" 175 I've hit 225 for 8 reps I probably could hit between 260 maybe 275 at the most. This as a person that has a regular job I'm now 42. I might get an hour and a half or 2 hours in a day of lifting. I can't hit those numbers now maybe 250. My point is yeah 405 should be possible for a 5'10 200lb man that has the time to make it happen. 400lb bench 500lb squat 600lb deadlift are competition numbers. Most that work a regular job just doesn't have the time in the day to make that happen. I believe a 250lbs bench a 350lbs squat and 405 pound deadlift should be achievable for most people who dosent have the time to put hours a day into training

[@Mattias8612]

Yes, it is possible.. I have benched 462 lbs drug free, but what people don't see are all the sets, reps, and different exercises I did for 19 years to get there.. Most people never reach these numbers because they either give up or get injured along the road..

[@MrClassicmetal]

Have you logged your sets and reps from the start?

[@Mattias8612]

@@MrClassicmetal yeah, actually I have logged a majority of my workouts in analog logbooks since 2003-2004..

[@MrClassicmetal]

@@Mattias8612 And when you look back through those logs, that's when you truly realise how much work it actually took to get there, I bet. You'll be like, "What the hell, did I really put in _that_ much work???!!!"🙂

[@nadahammouzaki8568]

Damn That’s my goal to stay that consistent my whole life inshalah

[@Barneyfithlawman]

What was your height and weight when doing that? How much did you squat? I've seen some good benchers but that was about all they did, is why I asked... Had some buddies that mainly bench and caught up with me fast, weak on most other things

[@flyingpizza7247]

Apparently everyone in the comments can bench 400+ lbs

[@PaintDryLifting]

And none of them have a single video of themselves lifting Really makes ya think I've only ever seen one natty 405 bencher and he was an absolute unit and 300lbs I've known quite a few who publicly claim to be natty and very much weren't

[@sjoerdvandermeer15]

@@PaintDryLifting it’s normal for people not to upload and film everything they do, some are happy with just having hit it and don’t need video evidence for an internet argument

[@PaintDryLifting]

I don't know a single 405+ bencher without at least one video of them doing it. I know plenty of liars without videos tho

[@CaneFu]

I benched my 405 in 1985 before anyone had a camera phone and that's just how it is for a lot of us. I'm 68 years old now with no reason to lie in this anonymous forum but you believe what you want.

[@joeylaramie7398]

It takes time to get that strong for most people and older guys usually aren’t as big on filming everything

[@punxsutawneyphil3944]

I bench 40.5 lbs naturally.

[@bugdog81]

That’s nothing, try 4.5 KILOGRAMS, ALL NATURAL 💪

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

I can overhead press 45 lbs for 12 reps

[@punxsutawneyphil3944]

@@bugdog81 Impossible!

[@punxsutawneyphil3944]

@@jeffreyquinonez8964 No way! You're a liar.

[@dornkdornk4963]

​@@jeffreyquinonez8964 tren impossible

[@ryanchahri4192]

I'm 23 years old at 5ft10 215 lbs bw with a 355 lbs max bench and I can tell you that Bromley is right on this one. I have trained for 7 years and the journey to upgrading your bench is long with small adjustments and consistency. It's all about the mindset. Stay hard!

[@rustyclark6306]

Man, I'm 52 years old, and I've been seriously lifting for 5 years. I recently hit a bench PR of 305. My goal has been 315, and I'm almost there. But you'd better believe that when I hit 315 I'm going to up my goal. I may never hit 405, but that doesn't mean I won't try.

[@brucejensen3081]

At 52, doing 305, is getting to 400 on a bench going to do more for you than staying at 305, increasing VO2 MAX, agility, etc. If you are in the top third for strength, any gain in strength is going to improve health very minimally. You are like in the top 0.0000001% for bench strength for your age. If one of these you are in the bottom half, a small increase will help health massively. Focus should be on your weakest point. On the other hand, last chance to get to that 400lb bench, if you don't do it now, you won't we able to bang on about doing a 400lb bench when you are 90

[@PinataOblongata]

@@brucejensen3081 A fellow Peter Attia listener? I think most people watching this channel aren't really thinking about their overall health or even longevity, much. They have the powerlifting bug and they just want that max to go up, they're probably not much interested in zone 2 cardio. If that is the only thing that motivates them, then it's way better than doing nothing (if that is the alternative). I agree, though, if you really care about holistic health and longevity, then you get diminishing returns after a point and may even be hurting other aspects of health past a certain point. That said, the people who live the longest are skinny endurance types who eat virtually nothing and look awful, so there would be many people who'd rather shave a few years off and go out still looking jacked.

[@brucejensen3081]

@@PinataOblongata yeah I don't mind his stuff. The skinny endurance types do have issues with being too skinny and weak later in life, as falls tend to be the biggest killer in the elderly.

[@PinataOblongata]

@@brucejensen3081 Yeah, and I recall that the actual issue there was a lack of fast-twitch muscle allowing them to throw their leg out to catch them before a fall, so it stands to reason that resistance training should reduce hip breakage and the like.

[@brucejensen3081]

@@PinataOblongata some have very low fat too, and some fat around organs protects them from knocks. Also lifting heavy does increase bone density

[@VManiac16]

Absolutely possible. I actually made it to 405 for a single rep at 29 years old. I held there for a while and proceeded to workout less and focus on other things. I played more basketball, did more cardio, went from lifting 5 to 6 days per week to lifting 3 days per week. Then got married and had kids added advanced degrees (again other interests). Well now I'm 58 years old. I decided to get back into serious lifting after seeing my parents go through a lot in older age. I want to give myself every opportunity to stay as mobile and independent as possible. That said, as I approach my 59th birthday, I've been focused for the last 14 months (since I had major surgery). I started out at 155 lbs for a couple of reps ( I know ... I know ). Before the surgery I was hitting 225 for a couple .. maybe 3 reps on a good day. So 14 months down the road I am doing 295 lbs on my high set. A lot of joint issues, elbows, shoulder, etc.. But I can envision getting to 335 lbs. Can I get back to my 29 year old self ... it looks doubtful but I'm going to do my best.

[@djalma007]

Good luck mate 🙏

[@EL-nh6gl]

God bless. You can do it.

[@larrytate1657]

Getting to 335 will be a good goal. Stay injury free. Good chance you’ll get injured if you try to get to 405 and injury’s now take you out too long at that age.

[@joelouden6592]

I'm your age and lifted for over 40 years. I never got over a max bench of 225 x 10 full reps. I failed at 275 once. Luckily, a hero rescued me from the stuck barbell in the near-empty gym. My guess is my 1-rep max was 260 or so. This was at a height of 6' 2" with long limbs, so I don't feel bad about it. I could always military press, triceps pressdown, shoulder lateral, curl, etc, with as much weight as the 400-lb benchers at our gym, anyway. I would probably have had to become obese and eliminate all cardio over many years to get up to a 400-pound benchpress. I don't think it would've been worth it. I haven't bench pressed in about 22 years but I can do sets of 7+ deep parallel bar dips at 245 pounds.

[@noeflores8049]

PEDS! Totally okay for you to go ahead and jump on that simply because age. I say peds because your body cannot naturally recover like you did at age 25. Don’t be ashamed!

[@Private_Investigator]

This is one of the strongest comment sections on the interweb. Guys are doing it after 3 years of training, weighing under 180 lbs and even when suffering with severe learning difficulties (one guy spelled virtually every word wrong).

[@matthewminogue3276]

Oh yeah, everyone is benching 405 these days, haven’t you heard? I don’t understand what they get from lying… anyone benching 4 plates would have a video of it on their page…

[@ham5483]

​@@matthewminogue3276it is kinda sus tbh

[@PaintDryLifting]

​@@matthewminogue3276and those of us who do have videos of it know this whole video is a meme that will leave gullible kids with average genetics injured, fat and frustrated

[@notimportant3686]

@@matthewminogue3276 why?... do you train for yourself or for someone else.... i've never in my life had the idea of recording ANY training i've ever done, let alone with the express idea of putting it online.... what a broken generation that can't fathom idea of not living in lavish internet points so gross

[@tomd4748]

Most are lying. Reddit is exactly the same with the lies. All hulks online. That said, Bromley et. al. all talk the same mess about the MIND. chances are he was just born larger, found out he was good at lifting things, and got into stuff that allowed him to lift heavy things. This is how most powerlifters find themself in this arena. His MIND has nothing to do with it lol NOTHING- he had the right genetics for the sport. Period. It’s not just him, though. Most of the KZbinrs in this field do the same because it kills the likes/views once you tell them genetics will determine your strength and size limits, no matter how they train. I get it. You don’t want to tell them the truth because they’ll never come back. Even Dr Mike is guilty of this, but not to the degree others are. He had the stones to claim roids only responsible for around 10% more development of the physique than natty- which is a total lie. Even a high schooler knows this is bs. Try 50% and you’re closer to the truth. Most naturals will NEVER bench 405. Be real. You can’t hack your genetics, which include tendon attachment, muscle cell size/number/ bone structure, etc. Stop trying to sell these guys the soap 🤪

[@progundog]

I benched 425 at age 50 last year. Took me a solid 9 years to get there. 3 yrs from 405 to 425. Most people won't commit to that. I will say that i know some people who are otherwise very strong, but their bench just sucks. Some folks just are not good at pressing movements. You are right on with the bodyweight. I was 260 when i hit 425. If i cut weight, the bench is the first lift to suffer.

[@BO2Letsplay]

Congrats on your achievement. I believe pressing of all varieties suffer massively with weight loss more so than any other movement

[@tylerspecht7553]

I wouldn't necessarily say your bench would go down. I myself am 6'4 used to be 350 now 315 lost 35 lbs in 2 months whilst increasing my bench press. You can get away with losing weight depending on your body fat percentage I had plenty to lose so it didn't effect me. Also one thing to note is if you are a newer lifter you can lose weight and almost always still get strength while doing so because you are nowhere near genetic limit that it doesn't even matter if you lose weight.

[@billj4525]

@@tylerspecht7553 I agree, even as a pretty advanced lifter you can maintain your strength at the beginning of a cut and sometimes increase it, as long as you have some body fat to lose. The lower your body fat gets the harder it will be to continue doing though. As a newbie you can always gain muscle and strength as you lose weight, especially if you were real out of shape.

[@tylerspecht7553]

@billj4525 yes exactly I just think people put way way way too much limitations on themselves.

[@billj4525]

@@tylerspecht7553 Yeah, I have done a lot of cuts and bulks myself. I have gained muscle and strength at the beginning even when my lifts were considered advanced. I had bulked a lot, and had body fat to lose though. Even at the end when I was lean I maintained my strength, although it was getting harder. We're talking a lot of weight loss and being the same strength at the end that I was at the beginning. People need to not rush when cutting either, that can make them loss size and strength. People put too many limitations on themselves. I tell myself if I work hard enough then I can accomplish anything. I have accomplished a lot doing that. I know you have too if you have a similar attitude. Anyone who just starts working hard can easily do this.

[@GainsHimself]

I got 380 at the gym fully natural, definitely possible

[@larsenconditioning6742]

Depends on genetics mate, just cause you got close doesnt mean everyone can.

[@rafmatt1607]

Cool, now get to 405

[@deadlyphoenix83]

@@larsenconditioning6742 no ones arguing everyone can. Strawman argument.

[@vannelle9productions]

At what bodyweight ?

[@wishes_._]

​@rafmatt1607 he probably could for a 1rep he just needs to add on 25lb on the bench. He might need to become a bench specialist for a little lol but it's possible

[@MrPabloChang]

Been lifting since 15. Now 30 yrs old. I bench 440 touch n' go (lifetime natural) at a current bodyweight of 260. It took ALOT of dedication and consistency for me to hit that. Since I was 15, I have been benching minimum 3-4x a week, rarely missing a workout, I have only been injured a handful of times. I could go into it in more detail but honestly TL:DR. I'm not genetically gifted, was never the best at anything, I am as average as they come, I had to make up for it by having work ethic and tenacity. You get to a point in your lifting career where adding 5-10 lbs to your bench is a godsend.

[@MrPabloChang]

@uropod the nutrition is the hardest part, i do shift work and find it very hard to get my calories in on night shifts (i only work night shifts btw), im eating 5-6k calories/daily to achieve this. Im not a naturally big guy, im 5'10" and based on my girth measurements (no homo), i should not be more than 175 lbs

[@MrPabloChang]

@uropod my body does NOT want me to be this heavy lmaoo

[@Heiko_1965]

In Germany the magic border is 200kg (441lbs). There is always a discussion about whether this can be achieved drug-free.

[@tender6440]

i always wondered what the 405 equivalent was for people who use KG. 200kg makes sense but is definitely way harder than 405, so im sure its even more sought after by lifters

[@stiffeification]

I would say it is almost impossible. Definitely not for someone with even good genetics. Only the absolute elite genetics people could get it.

[@Pyryp2]

​@@stiffeificationI'm almost there but I've sought it for 14 years.

[@stiffeification]

@@Pyryp2 Damn great, wish you all the best in achieving it. Im sure you´ll get it. Probably only a handful of people world-wide that can get it drug-free

[@Pyryp2]

@@stiffeification I'm 31 so I have more than a decade of productive time left for something that's probably doable in two years (192.5kg bench now). I even have a lot of room for the unexpected.

[@williebrown558]

I hit 395 lbs 12 years ago at 42 years old and weighing about 195, on nothing but protein powder and creatine. It can be done. I'm now 54, and hit 360 in May for a 1-rep max at about 198 body weight, still natural. Technique, programming, rest & recovery, and confidence are what it takes to hit your goals. Now, if only I could crack 500 lbs on my deadlift...

[@TheNameIsFreddy]

protein powder and creatine ???? protein powder and creatine ???? XDDD

[@martinmi5]

Crack 500? You might crack your spine 😆

[@EmmerichHeimenbruk]

That's great but holy shit is that disproportionate. The stereotype of the older guys who only hit upper body are true

[@jettfuelfitness]

I did it, I was just kinda fat at the time. ~250lb. Maybe not the most impressive bodyweight ratio, but full natty, so yeah it’s definitely possible.

[@jameskirkland6916]

Oh no you only benched 1.6 times your bodyweight

[@hammerhead2362]

How tall are you. Cause if 6’3 and above you could be 250 and not fat

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

Respect 👊

[@jettfuelfitness]

@@hammerhead2362 6’ on the dot, and I was definitely fat at the time. Muscular too but not lean at all

[@James_vs_gravity]

I'm currently the same weight but a bit taller and only bench 335. 2 years training, I hope I can bench over 4 plates in the next few years

[@tommytomtomful98]

I believe it’s impossible if you believe it’s impossible, and if you believe it’s possible than it’s possible

[@Antares2]

This is why you should have dynamic goals. I started lifting in december 2022, about eight months ago. My primary goals has been to improve my strength, get better cardio and lose weight (I am overweight). Ofcourse I would love to get big numbers on the "famous" exercises like bench, but I can't have 400lbs (or 180 kg I guess) as my "goal" to start with. My first goal was to lift anything and feel like I knew what I was doing. I was actually scared ofthe bench press before I did it as I had seen all those clips of people getting the bar on their neck and what-not. The first time I did bench press, I only did 30 kg (60lb) for 8 reps, and was happy that I at least managed to have anything and not just the bar. My next goal was 50 kg, which I reached after a fairly short while. Now, my big goal is to reach 100 kg (200 lbs), or two of the big plates on each side. I currenly have a 1RM of around 70 kg, so it feels attainable. I don't do 1RM lifts, so it is only calculated based on my 6-8 rep weights. It's the same with losing body weight. I was 121 kg when I started. Mostly fat and very little muscle. My "ideal" weight is something like 75-80 kg, but if I set that as my first milestone, I would completely lose motivation as it will take a long time. Losing 5 kg wouldn't feel like an achievement when the goal is still so far away. Instead, I had my first goal at 110 kg, which I reached in may. Now, my next goal is 100 kg and I am at 107 kg. This also feels doable, and with a bit of effort I should reach two-digit body weight (in kg) before the end of 2023. Dynamic goals that you can actually reach is the key. Ofcourse that doesn't mean you "settle". Once you reach the goal, you make a new one. You can't start by having an "end goal" in mind, unless you have extreme dedication that most people don't have. And I firmly believe that almost anyone can do almost anything if they put effort and time to do it. Ofcourse, the extreme records, like 700lbs bench press and such, is not something most people can ever attain. But even if you don't reach record numbers, the biggest goal should be to be better than before.

[@timguthrie5583]

Great job, keep it up!

[@Antares2]

@@timguthrie5583 Thank you!

[@jonathanbauer9279]

how's it going for you?

[@inspiringvision6900]

I hit 430 fully natural at 218lbs bodyweight and im 5’8, ive been powerlifting for roughly 4 years but on and off training for 20+ years. Its definitely doable natty and at 180-190lbs

[@Suspect002]

Are you wider than you are tall?

[@billj4525]

It's possible at 180 or 190, but insanely hard. A lot of things are possible. I have hit 405 for 4 natty as well. I'm 245, and while most would think i'm fat as a natty my body fat isn't that high. I'm not shredded like I am at 195, but I look good enough. People forget you need A TON of muscle to bench that, so that's definitely going to limit your body fat. However it's not healthy to weigh a lot all the time. I have done many bulks and cuts before. I'm probably going to trim down and just stay ripped, even if it means being weaker. Trying to optimize health is important to me.

[@nordan00]

There’re a lot of dudes who can slam dance 405, but there’s a huge difference between meet standard pauses, touch and goes, slam dances, and Golden Gate Bridge benches. I’ve seen it be a hundred pound plus difference between pauses and even moderate arches. It’s a super important distinction not unlike those dudes who do the curtsy squats with 500 but can’t do one full rep with 250!

[@davidcarrasco2344]

The real question is not if most guys can do it while being natural, the real question is if you can do it while being natural AND not being fat. Most guys don't want to look like Bromley.

[@billj4525]

Most guys can't even come close to 405 on juice, never mind natty. Now good genetics sure, but most natty guys are going to have high body fat percentage when they hit 405, very few are going to be super lean. It can be done though. On juice you will see leaner guys hitting 405 more often, but like I said most people just can't lift that period even with years and years of work, so a natty doing that is amazing regardless.

[@CaneFu]

I was 6'1" tall and 220 Lbs. in 1985 when I did my natural 405 with a small waist and very little fat. I was 29 years old, now 68, and my shoulder pain won't even allow me to bench press anymore.

[@joeylaramie7398]

Bromley is a beast. Who wants to be a little metrosexual

[@kevinfair4169]

6’1 225lbs and 12% body fat. I’ve benched 405 once

[@Antonio_Collins.Powerlifter]

My current Bench max is 445 at 6'2 324lb bodyweight i just turned 23 been lifting 7 years last 3 years were seriously training im Natural and will forever be goal is 500lb+ so 400lb+ bench Natural is possible depends on how hard someone wants to achieve it and if you never hit 405 its alright enjoy the process of lifting and be the best version of yourself if you've read this far have a blessed day 💪

[@Antonio_Collins.Powerlifter]

Also forgot to mention I started lifting at 420lbs bodyweight at almost 16 I stayed around 380lbs until January of 2021 I started losing weight my bench was at the time was 420 at 386 strength went down do to how fast I dropped the weight I don't advise losing alot of weight real quick cause for most people it won't last but I was very determined I've been 325 for 2 years now and have gotten bigger and stronger I plan on getting to 300 or 280lbs sometime

[@ronaldmcraygun502]

445lb is impressive bud! You're a big strong real natty dude too💪🏽

[@Antonio_Collins.Powerlifter]

@@ronaldmcraygun502 thank you appreciate it keep on training 👊💪

[@Egoliftdaily]

So true. 💯 💯 💯 It's possible. But if it doesn't happen, just enjoy the process and be the best version of yourself. 👍

[@Antonio_Collins.Powerlifter]

@@Egoliftdaily thank you brother keep training and best of luck and lifting to you

[@chandlerhumphrey9578]

I relate to 11:14 so much. I spent 2 years stuck at the same maxes all because of a) I didn’t have enough protein intake b) I wasn’t consistent enough at working hard and c) I was skinny. I spent those 2 years at 150lbs body weight and it wasn’t until February of this year that I started to eat correctly and rest correctly and now I’m up to 187lbs and all my lifts have gone up by a ton. Squat 250 to 405, bench 215 to 275, clean 215 to 285, and deadlift 290 to 405.

[@albertojaimes2985]

I find it so hard to eat at a surplus, but I want to in order to meet my goals. Do you have any tips on how you gained weight? Right now I weigh 160 and want to go up to like 170-175

[@codealvo]

@@albertojaimes2985buddy of mine drank a gallon of milk a day one summer and gained 20 pounds. Obviously exercised a lot and ate more but drinking your calories is easier than eating them. Protein / mass gainer shakes are usually relatively easy to get down.

[@kingcreed348]

​@@albertojaimes2985mass gainer powder is good. I've seen some in stores that go from 700 calories a serving to a whopping 1200 calories per serving. I'm sure it destroys your tummy but 🤷‍♂️ eat regular and have one of those, you'd be fine.

[@tomsnowden6201]

@@albertojaimes2985don’t fall for the gallon of milk a day meme

[@papageorgio123123]

Another thing to consider is everyone comes in at a different starting point, some people have already developed a lot of strength through their father making them do push-ups or child hood team sports etc vs people who never did anything. Coordination and mind muscle connection goes along way, as well as tendon strength(they adapt 3-7 months at a time). If you work hard enough and want it, it is there, and if you don’t get there , you will still be stronger for trying.

[@Elias-pu9jf]

I benched 475 lifetime natty @ 273lbs in comp. I did this off of a 5/3/1 personalized split. Nothing fancy, just consistent amrap training. People just limit themselves. Social media makes it 10x worse. I started at 140lbs in high school and benched that at 27 after almost a decade of on and off progress. Find a training style you like and just throw in some periodization and do it for a few years you will be amazed how far you get.

[@Cfergsthebest]

to even ever be able to reach a size of 273 at a reasonable bf% for a strength athlete puts you in like the top 5% of humans

[@bacawaka2813]

I wonder how many of those 1000s who benched 405lbs had a high arch and 2" rom bench?

[@joeylaramie7398]

You mean using good form?

[@mikerotchburns42069]

@@joeylaramie7398 you probably deadlift sumo

[@healthymindhappierlife5089]

Lifetime natty, mid genetics/frame, 195lbs, 34yrs old, 12+ years of training (not towards strength the entire time). Continued to break plateaus even after the 8+ year mark when I made lifestyle or training improvements. Hit 315 early this year for the first time. Started the Starting Strength program for a couple months, and although I havent maxed out recently, however, I am certain I can max out higher. Most recent 3x5 success was 285. From what I've learned over the years the basic principals are always the same. 1. Force adaptation by moving heavy weight 2. Eat to recover 3. Sleep to recover 4. Minimize stress/cortisol levels 5. Have high testosterone from making the right lifestyle/training choices. 6. Do this without injury for extended period of time and profit.

[@rakugothdajjal527]

I am a much bigger guy (260lbs), but what you just said makes me think I'm genetically gifted. I started lifting at 38 years old and hit 315 on bench in just over a year... Man I wish i started sooner :(

[@tomashorst9544]

​@@rakugothdajjal527bro 315 at 260 is not impressive, sorry to break it to you

[@anonymousf454]

I was never serious about lifting, just ate and did a little lifting. I grew up underweight, slim and lanky, nothing special....probably 145lbs at most after high school. Most I ever did was 275 for 2 sloppy reps at like 175lbs body weight. Looked a little athletic, but never yoked. Having lifted in years. Shoulder injury probably never get even there again. Thats life...lol

[@rakugothdajjal527]

@tomashorst9544 I went from a 170lbs bench on the first day to 315 in 13 months. As far as weight to bench goes I agree it's horrible, but from no experience at all to 315 at 38yo in a year is kinda great from everything I've read.

[@anonymousf454]

@@rakugothdajjal527 You gotta be a naturally pretty big dude I imagine to make strides like that. That's super impressive though. Think if you started young and ate steroids...lol Freekin beast

[@dusterkev]

I got 335 at 150lb bodyweight sophomore year of college. Currently 170lbs trying to work my way up past 315 again now that I have kids and responsibilities lol. I also used to only bench and do upper body in high school and college. I for sure think 405 is doable if my life revolved a bit more around the gym and I didn’t take years off for boxing and other endeavors.

[@jonathandorow8654]

I benched 375lbs natty at 19, 205lbs bodyweight. This was a couple months ago when I was rigorously following powerlifting and peaking programs. After some injuries, I do more bodybuilding training and estimate my max to be 345. The point is: that programming and peaking make a big difference even if you're the same real strength.

[@MrPremo89]

I’ve had folks accuse me of using steroids because I was benching 315 for reps. If only they could have seen the hours, blood sweat and tears I poured into reaching that point. Makes you kind of mad to realize that you aren’t even at your goal yet, but you’re so far past small minded individuals that they can’t conceive that you are where you are without cheating.

[@larrytate1657]

Should make you happy though if your natty. It’d be a compliment

[@EpicMinecraftFail]

315 is perfectly realistic for reps without cheating

[@User-b9q2z]

No one cares about how hard you've worked in the gym. Millions of people have worked hard to be fit and strong you're not as special as you think you are

[@theman0110]

This video is so true. I lateral raised 500 pounds on each hand with 2 weeks of gym training YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!❤

[@ensabahnur539]

Yes, it is completely possible. I can attest to this. No specialized training method, I just enjoyed lifting heavy in a powerbuilding regimen. No gear or performance enhancing drugs, my personal best on the bench was 425lbs @ 46yrs. Since then, I've taken 6 years off to focus on family and work, and now that I'm fresh and back into the gym @ 52 years old, the weights are slowly but surely moving upward. Is it possible? Very. But the drive and determination to get to a certain achievement takes time.

[@BrandonLeech]

height and weight?

[@black0ut_53]

425 pounds at 42 years old is mega impressive and must have taken a shit ton of work! Major props!

[@jd9119]

At 52, you might want to consider TRT.

[@C-shadow]

@@jd9119 no.

[@jd9119]

@@C-shadow Ok, enjoy diminishing returns on training at the gym. Enjoy boneloss and enjoy diminishing sexual abilities. I'm not say run cycles. I'm saying at his age, it's perfectly ok to treat low testosterone with a therapeutic dose of testosterone.

[@ShredBundy420]

Bench is a fucking grind. You have to be prepared to do so much work around not just benching but other shit, speed work, tricep work. A lot of strength work and eat and recover properly.

[@waaagh3203]

There are so many factors. Size is a big one. Can a 200 pound guy bench 405 naturally is a different question than can a 315 pound guy bench 405 naturally.

[@billj4525]

Of course, size makes a big difference, although I pretty much give any natural credit who can bench 405.

[@waaagh3203]

@@billj4525 I agree to some extent. I was 290 when I benched 405. I considered it okay....but more impressed with a 150 pounder who could bench 320 that I knew.

[@Thesuppcabinet]

This is the video I needed to see. 6ft 202ish…was 195. My 1RM flat barbell Bench is 235. My goal is to hit 315 1RM. Keep telling myself it’s not in the cards for me. Thank you for this awesome video. I am inspired 💪🏻

[@DakotaLeonhard]

As a former collegiate thrower, a 400lbs drug free bench is certainly possible. There were quite a few kids at the D1 level that benched that or more in High School, much less by their senior year of college. Plenty of them were not genetic freaks, but had the discipline/motivation to work out hard years on end. Watched the video out of pure curiosity and was not disappointed.

[@batataandshawarmalover]

D1 by definition is a genetic freak. I don't care how hard they worked or "muh discipline", at 19-20 when they get into D1, they don't have any real training age in an adult body. That's talent, hard work (for a short time), and for some very physical sports (such as Football, shot putting, wrestling etc.), most certainly PED's as well.

[@GentlemanEDC]

Yes. First did it when I was 27 and again now at 35. No drugs, supplements, TRT. Endless hours of tweaking and adjusting training methods until I saw improvements. Ended up through it all finding consistency and simplicity in my re the best method, not all these different exercises, endless sets, etc.

[@deadlifter-]

Im 5'11", 240lbs, 22 years old, natural and have benched 455lb touch and go. Anyone who says it's not possible is coping

[@ronsalerno2058]

How long did it take you?

[@deadlifter-]

@@ronsalerno2058 the first time i touched a barbell i was 14. so about 8 years in terms of total time passed, but i wasnt training consistently for that entire time

[@Mysticbladegod]

Short answer, yes. I've been powerlifting for over a decade and I've been natural the whole time. It took me years to hit a 405 bench. It takes a heck of a lot of planning, hard work and patience.

[@a.f.s.3004]

What people need to understand, especially if you are over 40, is eating to gain weight has it’s perils. If you are eating like a freak as you age, your chances of contracting type 2 diabetes is significant. When you are young, you can get away with eating anything. Once you get past 35-40, 45….you better be careful.

[@DCJayhawk57]

That doesn't mean you can't bulk. People equate bulking with dirty bulking. I'm almost 38 and just came out of a bulk a couple months ago. Not only is it easy to lose weight when you live an active lifestyle, it's much easier than putting on muscle mass. I know I'm not going to be doing this forever, but choosing arbitrary age cutoffs is ridiculous. Most people think I'm 28, not 38. I don't get a lot of sun, I've exercised consistently for 25 years, and I eat pretty healthy foods all the time. Strenuous exercise is going to make it hard to get woefully fat even as you age. There is recent evidence that metabolism doesn't even slow much as you age. The reason people get fat is because they fall off the wagon with training or diet.

[@billj4525]

Well it depends what. I definitely have uncles who have ate junk their whole life, and they're doing okay for 60's and 70s. 30's and 40s is still relatively young especially 30s. Unless your predisposed for diabetes your chances of getting from eating like that is pretty low at those ages. Now it's definitely unheatlhy to eat like that for your body. When bulking I would suggest to try to eat mostly healthy food. Weighing too much for too long has it's negatives though, even if you're very muscular, especially if you have weighed a lot most of your life. So I do agree for the most part, and that's why I'm done bulking and cutting. I'm just going to stay lean from now on and ill try to increase my strength as much as I can without getting bigger. Either way I'm done bulking for the most part regardless of my strength.

[@billj4525]

@@DCJayhawk57 I find gaining and losing weight equally easy, maybe even easier to gain since I love eating, but when done correctly they're both pretty basic. I have done a lot of bulking and cutting, and that's one of the ways I got so much muscle and strength as a natural. I'm probably just going to stay lean though now honestly. Your metabolism doesn't need to slow as your age, just like your testosterone doesn't. Taking care of yourself can really stop those things for the most part.

[@CaneFu]

YES, I did a strict 405 naturally as a bench press specialist back in 1985 at 29 years old, 6'1" at 220 Lbs. and it took me 13 years to get there. I also had a friend who benched 450 and another who did 480, both as naturals but both of those guys were genetic freaks. I also went to high school with world powerlifting champ Mike Bridges and while he bench pressed 531 with just a tiny bit of gear he was easily capable of benching 405 naturally but his abilities at just 5'2" tall and 181 Lbs. were one in a million.

[@omdc535]

In 35+ years of lifting and being in gyms, I have never seen anyone bench 405. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen anyone bench 315...butt on the bench and no Missouri Arch. The highest I have seen is 365; the guy was probably weighed 300+.

[@zyncarla]

You got to some shit gyms brother

[@ronaldmcraygun502]

That's the reality bud, in the real world a 400lb+ bench as a natty is very very rare, the guys in comments claiming it's easy after years of lifting are talking bs, most of them who did it are on gear 💉 themselves, but they pretend they're natty. Online is full of frauds

[@toximan2008]

@@ronaldmcraygun502 That's really the best way of looking at it. Just go to enough gyms over the years and keep a logbook of who hit what lifts. In my life, I only ever saw one dude hit 405 on bench back in undergrad where he was a master's student. No clue if he was on gear. I didn't know the telltale signs back them at all to even make a comment. Maybe natty, maybe not.

[@johnsykes4414]

i can send ya a video of me doing it in my garage for 6 reps but i was fat and about 54-55 no drugs or equipment.

[@zyncarla]

@@ronaldmcraygun502 if you think most people benching 405 are on gear that says more about you. I’ve been a proud life long natty with a 455 bench yes it took years and lots of eating lol and lots of consistent volume. But I’m also 6’3 275lbs so that helps. I benched 315 the first time my senior year of high school in 2004 lol

[@scythiandisposition]

Bromley, the most patient YT strength coach

[@surfslikespicoli]

I bench 400lbs, up from 380 at the start of the year and am honing in on 405 now. This is with 5 years of consistent training. I'm 6'1, 225lbs, 38 years old, with a wife and 2 young kids, a demanding white collar job. I eat pretty clean but take some liberties on the weekends (I love to have a few beers with chips and salsa). My only supplements are creatine and a multivitamin. I'm disciplined about my sleep and recovery. Barring genetic variances, it's very much achievable.

[@sw4841]

Yes if you have great genetics… and train the right way

[@Jcampz01]

I am nowhere near close to 400. Chipping away at around 290. But from anecdotal experience, its always the people who don't want to gain weight who complain that their numbers stall. I remember when everyone around me including myself thought 225 was a good milestone. Now thats my working set weight for 8-10reps and all it took was weight gain+consistency. When I was ~165lbs I remember chasing just 185 on the bench. Then a little heavier I chased 225. I'm 192ish now and nowhere near fat and am chasing 300 atm. Gaining weight and consistent training is the literal key to the fastest progress. At some point sure you may need special programming but I think a lot of people can get to 315 plus without even special training. Just bench 2-3x a week or something and you'll eventually get there. Plenty of gym bros have done so without ever even looking at a program. Add 10-15+ years to that and 400 for a 1rm probably isn't so unrealistic, but again at a certain point people have other things come up, or prioritize other things.

[@joecowan3719]

Well said, couldn't agree more and my bench and bodyweight is right where you are too. That part at the end is really the biggest key, 10-15+ years of consistency and having be one of the goals of your life, not the only one, just there in the background.

[@GG-jn9fx]

Finally broke 315lb for reps after a looong plateau, going for 500 at 6'0 250 goal body weight. Realized it was programming. Built up cns fatigue and not enough volume work held me back for over a year. Changed that up and deloaded once and cracked the plateau in less than two months. Also feel better pain wise than I've ever felt. I was flying too close to the proverbial 1rm sun while also not getting nearly the hypertrophy progress I needed to keep improving. I think programming is a major factor for why most ppl won't see it possible and won't even get close to 315 without injuries and plateaus.

[@TheJMan1K]

Yes it’s possible just takes lots of time. My dad did it drug free in college ball (465) and I hit 405 senior year of HS weighing in at 257. Didn’t play college due to surgery but it absolutely is possible.

[@tjxwheel7812]

Damm that’s a crazy pr

[@1vootman]

I benched 315x8, and 400x1 at 54, then tore my rotator cuff...total bummer. I did it naturally, i love strength training and actually dont really care about BP, I wanted to have a 140kg power clean and did that at a much younger age, at 38!

[@Bdubtheblack]

Yes you can. Just benched 407 in training with a pause. Let's see if I can get it in a few months at a USAPL meet 🙏🏾

[@kylemiller6765]

Anyone saying a 5'4" man can't bench 225 has no clue what they're talking about.

[@JonathanMungo-iw4ut]

You're right.

[@JonathanMungo-iw4ut]

I got a cousin who lives in Texas. He spent 13 hrs in prison. He 51 about 5'6 500 lb bench press! I've seen him do it. He probably weighs around 190lbs

[@JonathanMungo-iw4ut]

13 yes in prison my bad.

[@Калин-е1е]

Who says that im 5'5 and a teen with under a year of training and bench more than 225

[@alexn4843]

Back in my younger days, college, was weighing about 125 in a 5'5" frame and was benching 225 a few times. Won a bench press contest at my weight and did 275 once. Almost busted a nut on that one. Those days are long gone now, not that I'm fat, only weighing about 135 now but not throwing that much weight around.

[@eliezermelendez4417]

Also has anyone seen the ufpwrlifter video benching 400+ at 150something pounds bodyweight?💀

[@LairdRoss]

Yes it is. Took me 5 years and I did it naturally. Was 21 years old. Started powerlifting at 16 years old.

[@royalrandomness777]

Bench press is probably the lift that is most affecter by bw gains. I would say that 405 is achievable for anybody that doesnt give a shit what they look like. I got up to 340 at 202 bw. Pretty damn sure if I bulked up to 240-250 that 405 wouldnt be an issue at all. Weigh more on the bench = way more on the bench

[@billj4525]

With good genetics, and you have them, then you could hit 405 at around 240-250 if you trained specifically for that lift for a while. I think I could hit 500 if I went up to 300 in bodyweight, but it's not important enough to me. I don't need to be fat like that, and am natty so I would be a high body fat at 300, and I have a ton of muscle for a natty. I have done a lot bulking and cutting to put on strength and muscle. I'm going to be trimming down to get ripped again, and probably won't bulk again, at least not much.

[@iielysiumx5811]

Yeah either bench of conventional deadlift, but yeah you gains weight your bench goes up

[@TheBatugan77]

My bench increased a lot when I started doing dumbell inclines first. Sometimes I did Bbl inclines, and at times I skipped flat bench altogether. Whenever I did inclines, it seemed like the flat benches were easier.

[@Nolan-55]

Love this video. Is there one coming for squat and deadlifts as well. Or maybe a PL total. The sheet you pulled up was about 1600 for tested lifters. What is the likelyhood of 1600 total or 1800, 2000?

[@bbszabi]

The short answer is yes. I personally have a friend who can, and I know a few folks who are very close, unenhanced. Probably I could get there myself if I was younger, but I am 50 yo, so it's a bridge too far for me :)

[@jtropp]

im 5'5" 74kg 30yo lifter in drug tested. ive only been competing for about 4 years. i can now do paused 350. i have been consistently programming bench twice a week for these last 4 years (wrestled in college so had a lifting foundation). I am aiming for 400 within the next two years and may not get it. Its absolutely possible, but its a lot of work. Caloric surplus, pleanty of protein, no ego lifting (prevent injury), program variants (floor press, incline, decline, tempos, chains, cambered, etc.), make sure you get rest each week, try different grip positions. When you have done all of this over many years and it doesn't work.... then we can have a convo about genetics or gear.

[@Code_Made]

Def can be reached naturally imo. Im currently natty n aroun 325lb on tha bench if speaking of that lift alone. Im 6'1" 205lbs. 405 is my goal for 2024 n then on to the land of 5hundo. Godspeed to all your gains.

[@JakeSemeniuk]

Just benched 380 natty AF. Currently on Road to 405

[@liamyates5544]

hell yeah brother!

[@TheNickLavender]

My current bench max is about 415lbs. It took me about 3-4 months to get there from 270lbs. I'm 6'3 and weight about 350lb. I have very wide shoulders that I see as a gift from my mothers side (my uncle was a wrestler) and those shoulders have allowed me to carry quite a bit on my frame without looking like I'm obese or something. I started lifting when I was in middle school on and off. When I got to high school, I made it to 320lbs my senior year in my bench press. On and off after high school, I would dabble with the bench press and do other things as well all but ultimately would injure myself because I did the wrong technique. This happened on and off. One time about 5 years ago, I reached 360lb on my bench but encountered SO much muscle fatigue (didn't know what it was at that time) that I stopped because I didn't know what was wrong. Eventually I got married and life just happened and I didn't have time to work out. Then I started to notice I was pulling my muscles whenever I did anything heavy (move tools, mower, etc). I was sore in the mornings and I got tired of it. I finally thought, I have this frame, I have this height, and this size and yes to a degree, these genetics, and I'm NOT going to waste them any more. I am in the prime of my life (late 30's) and I am going to see where this body can finally take me... I then started my journey for real about 3-4 months ago. I learned about muscle fatigue, I learned about not getting enough protein, I learned about vitamin deficiency, etc. I take what looks like a pharmacy load of supplements in the morning. I do NOT take any kind of steroids. I drink a ton of water, eat plenty of watermelon for hydration, drink beet juice, etc. I work out about an hour and a half 3 days a week with some treadmill after my workout. The bench press routine I use is one that was created by my old high school football coach. He created this bench press routine back in 1972 for one of the more prominent High schools in Ohio at that time, and they dominated in football. His program worked and that is what I have used for my Bench press routine. I also do pull downs, curls, triceps work, and deadlifts using the hex bar. Now, since this increase in my bench and my strength, my confidence has soared! The sleeves of my t shirts are tight and you can see my tri and biceps through the sleeves. My wife likes them as well lol. My back doesn't hurt like it used to and my overall mental health has vastly improved. I'm leaving for a cruise in 6 months or so and my plan is to be benching around 450lbs with an overall goal (if I can get there) of 500lbs. THATS my ultimate goal. Those of you reading this, you CAN achieve great things. Have patience and take the time. Do the right process. You only have one life to live, so make the best of it!

[@Coronafamilar]

One the best most helpful videos I’ve found on natural growing n gaining strength everything said was obvious but said together perfectly

[@howardsonscementproductsin883]

My max was 365 for a couple reps. I was chasing 405, until I realized I was going to have to weigh in excess of 250 +, I was 240ish at the time, and at 5'6" (probably 5'4½" if I'm lucky) it was already a workout to tie my shoes. Also this was back in the Pro hormones days. Technically not drugs, but drugs ! Went in two weeks from hit or miss at 315 to 315 for five solid reps.

[@quickjab33]

Before he stopped lifting weights seriously my brother put up 375lbs. It took him years to reach that and he could have gotten 400lb if he had continued. I asked him what in his opinion was the key to his success and he said going to the gym on a consistent basis - said alot of people would go hardcore for a month or two stop for 2/3 months then restart. He never really missed going to the gym for about 10 years straight. And these are just his opinions mind you but he also believes that when you start messing around with super heavy weight for an extended matter of time that is when you are at risk for damaging your joints/ligaments.

[@awmlawoffice]

Yes, I benched 425lbs at 5'10 and 210lbs all natty. I actually did a 405lb bench 2 days ago. The first 405lbs was about 2003 after about 7 years of serious training. At 45 my strength has plateaued and my hypertrophic gains, particularly in the quadriceps, is starting to wane.

[@anagramconfirmed1717]

Update: just did 405 for 4 and 425 for 1. My other comment on here was just a couple months ago.

[@big_mike_nyc]

Absolutely! I benched 405 in high school as a senior at 18 years old. I was heavily into weight training throughout my 4 years in high school and I wasn't even a football player, I was a baseball player who looked like a football player. I had/have very good genetics and I am certain that played the major part!

[@martinmi5]

I was going to say, it’s been a while but I remember 16 and 17 year olds who could bench 300 pounds plus. Now we have grown men who take 10 years or more to reach 405. Have men gotten weaker over the decades? This was back in 1995

[@Bombus143]

Bro stfu no u didn’t 💀

[@Bombus143]

@@martinmi5no it’s cause people are just full of it and lie out their teeth, just like this dude lol

[@Bombus143]

🧢🧢🧢

[@jefferylord3068]

I did 430 at the age of 47, it was my lifetime personal best. I never did anything stronger than creatine and protein powder. My body weight was around 290 when i did that. Ive dropped some weight and lost some on bench now.

[@Neverworld-ne9pj]

Just throwing this out there for my fellow skinny guys, Taylor Atwood competes tested and benches like 475 weighing 163ish. That tells me that we can do it too we just gotta eat and train for it like we want it more than breathing.

[@MatteoDettori]

Tested is NOT drug free.

[@HTXatLarge]

Im 6'5 203lbs 38 years old. most I've ever pushed is 345 itd be a dream to push 405 its just gaining enough weight seems to be the most difficult part. Between work & my crazy high metabolism i might have to wait until my 50s idk tho. I love the content!

[@ConKen77]

Absolutely possible. My all-time bench PR was 425 weighing about 215 lb drug free. Trained my ass off to get it.

[@liamyates5544]

top 3 tips?

[@ConKen77]

@@liamyates5544 1. Add another day of bench to your training. 2. Build that back & tri's 3. Get out of your own head 1. Wednesday (lunch break) was my original chest work day. Heavy sets of 5's or 3's, heavy pin press, and floor press. Basically anything I could think of to expose myself to heavy loads. After a while I added two a days on Mondays (lunch and after work) Monday lunch was my leg day. After work was tons of pressing heavy as I could tolerate for reps. 135x15, 185x12, 225x10, 275x8, 315x8, 365x3. Followed by a couple varieties of chest press 4sets 15,10,10,8. 2. ALL the rows! Barbell = bent/t-bar/penlay. Pick two and crush 3-4 sets of 10. DB = heavy single arm rows 3x8. DB shrugs slow and focused on your back through the movement. Plate load machine = single arm rows 1plate x20, 2x 20, 3x15, 4x8-10. Lat pulls = 4x10. (Back day was Tuesday, Deads on Friday). Thursday was beach muscle day. Always loaded the Triceps heavier with a little volume at the end, while the bi got more volume minimal loaded work. 3. I never thought I was doing something that I couldn't do. I would get a little nervous before I un- racked it, but once I did it was like a switch flipped and 100% of my focus and energy was on moving that bar as fast as I could. I always said to myself and others (training partner) it's just weight, it don't matter and I don't care, Im just going to lift it... Cant never could... I was just as stoked about adding 2.5 on each side as I was hitting that next big number because I knew with each 2.5 I was only getting better. I think #3 is most important bc that alone is was what carried me to 375 before all the targeted training; and even after.

[@benthornes3526]

This is an amazing video. It's something I've been trying to explain to my Newby client, but I've not managed to put it this brilliantly.

[@Bombsuitsandkilts]

Im 300 lbs and I am working towards 500 lbs natural bench, Im gifted with short arms but I think the more important thing is I was willing to gain a lot of weight.

[@billj4525]

Good for you. I said to my brother recently that I could hit 500 naturally if I bulked up to 300, and you're actually trying it. Good luck man, you got this. I have done many cuts and bulks for muscle and strength purposed. Currently bulked up to about 250, but i'm going to be trimming down again to get ripped. Probably going to stay lighter, as I wan't to try to optimize my health. You absolutely have to be willing to gain a lot of weight if you want to gain a ton of muscle or a ton of strength, especially as a natural. Very few naturals do it.

[@mr.brusher2149]

I found this channel not too long ago and I must say that I dont regret it at all. These videos really inspired me to give powerlifting a try, I've been training for mass since i've started my gym journey, but never for strength. I am 19yr old 5'7 156lbs, sounds pretty average but after training for 2 years I have fairly muscular build now and I am satisfied with my progress so far. Today i am starting candito 6 week program for The first time, I am really hyped for my powerlifting journey. Remember kings, yall got this. Stay strong.

[@luishueramo8358]

Currently @168 lbs, 21 & 5’8. I hit 315 natural and truly believe that 405 can be hit as well… of course with consistent training & recovery.

[@liveslowlivesimple]

post a video

[@Ice-Sik-ill]

Post a vid

[@billj4525]

You can hit 405 natty too, but not at 168. You'll definitely have to gain weight.

[@luishueramo8358]

@@billj4525 100% agree with you on that. Going to aim for 180 & see where it takes me.

[@Diaz-iz2xw]

I'm always impressed when I see big weights being pushed around wether natural or not its hard work regardless

[@barbellbryce]

Alex Leonidas. That's the quote.

[@Waywind420]

Unless you're naturally strong, I wouldn't bother going for 405lbs, 315lb is plenty and far far more practical. 315lbs puts you on par with some international Rugby forwards and NFL players. It also puts you about twice as strong as the average male (globally).

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

Obligatory thanks for putting your programs for free on Boost Camp 👊

[@drioslegacy]

I’m currently doing sets of 320 (3x7), so for a one rep max I’m probably not far off from 405. I’m 36/ 5’7”/ 192 lbs, drug free, and have been lifting pretty consistently since my early teens… with a a few extended breaks from the gym due to either injury, bad habits, relationship drama, work related issues, etc. Recently getting my strength back up after taking a break during the pandemic, but I aways get back in and manage to recover everything I’ve lost. Bench workout these days typically looks like: Warmup: 10 x 135 10x 225 Training weight: 7x 320 7x 320 7x 320 Cooldown: 225 for however many reps I can (usually between 20-30) 10x135 When the 3x7x (training weight) becomes comfortable, I increase the weight by 5 lbs and do that for several weeks. Just kind of riding the wave for however long this lasts, until something inevitably happens that keeps me out of the gym and I’ve got to get my strength back again. If I can do this at 5’7”… I’m pretty sure most healthy men have the potential for this if they commit and work hard, and enjoy benching.

[@snipem09]

I’ve been as of the last 4 months in a cutting phase to get lean. I do this every few years for fun. Back in 2019 after cutting to low levels of BF (for me) I wanted to see how much I could get my bench to in 3 months. After eating enough to pack on about 30 lbs, up to 245 at 5’11”, totally natural, I got to a 425 and barely missed 445. This from about 335. I am a naturally bulky guy. I love being lean. But I have come to terms that it’s either the 6 pack or an EASY 405 bench. For me to keep abs and reach 400, which I did this past winter (enhanced) , it is exponentially harder. I’ve always admired the lighter super strong lifters, but I cannot be one of them. And I think most people are that way.

[@iseehowitis9382]

Unlike the guy below me I bench 4.05lbs naturally 💪

[@ramie-uz9xi]

It’s absolutely possible .i did it in my mid 20s . I’m 55 now and on TRT I started at 50 . I’ve been lifting nearly 40 years . I struggle with 285 now but I seldom even try it . I’m no where near as strong on test as I was naturally in my youth .

[@ramie-uz9xi]

@SaintAnger-0351 well . I’m 55 . Kind of underestimated myself as I’m generally conservative when it comes speak . I did try a max rep while working out this weekend . 300 and I didn’t want to try anything heavier . Even uploaded the video. Honestly set myself up some plywood incase I had to dump it 🤣My test is always 800+ . I test twice a year . However. I work as a tug boat captain . All I get to do for a month at a time is push ups . And I have a set of elastic bands . Age is a huge factor . I don’t know how old you are . There’s a reason why pro athletes crumble around 40 . It’s age . IDK .. maybe in the grand scheme of things. 300 on a bench isn’t all that much . I used to do 405 one rep . Then again I had a friend that could push 500+ . He’s my age and he won’t touch anything over 315 these days . A lot of older guys like me just don’t think that it’s worth the risk . Torn pecs , or any injury after 55? That ain’t gonna heal well .

[@stracatay]

I got 455 drug free in my late 20s before I let myself go(got married and had a ton of kids) and got fat...lol 315 was my "Walk into the gym and lift it" static strength 1RM level till I hit 40 years old...lol Today I can barely squeeze 250 out on a good day, but I've only been back at it a couple months after like 10 years of laziness. Goal is 315. I'm currently 49, will be 50 next June.

[@ericreed2064]

I have been recomping for 15 weeks now. I have been losing 1 to 2 pounds a week, so I guess I'm actually cutting, but my lifts are just non-stop improving. I took 2 years off of lifting after a pretty decent 18 month run of it. I feel unstoppable! Haha! I understand this train will slow down soon, but I love being able to eat 4100 calories a day and lose weight while building muscle. Naturally

[@mattievinh]

I think this is a great perspecttive even if your goal is benching/ lifting anything ( doesnt have to be remotely close to 400 lbs)...1. Be consistent 2. Mass moves mass 3. Be consistent (also patience).

[@LG00-r5h]

4. Frequency, you are most likely not going to get too far above 400+ on 1-2x bench sessions.

[@thor6422]

In college I bench press 355 from football workout while I was 19 so definitely possible, but I weighed 285 so that helped

[@alhardie9429]

This dude is fecken awesome!! Following!!

[@PantheraOnca60]

At my best -- a lot of years ago, in my late 30s -- I was benching in the mid-300s (converting from pounds to kilos was always a PITA, but my best was 363, or thereabouts). That was as a lifetime drug-free lifter and it took being willing to put on body weight. As with anything in life, you have to answer the question, "What's it worth to you?" Only you can decide that, but I agree that most men can do it.

[@The1trueDave]

I was expecting a fairly dry discussion about the limits of PED-free lifting but this was surprisingly inspirational and also brutally honest. I'm 51, 6'0", currently 175lb and in good health, I now realise that none of these things are in themselves going to stop me benching 405. What is going to stop me benching 405 is my basic unwillingness to devote 10 years to it; I basically don't want it badly enough and I'm fine with that. That might sound negative but I think it's kind of liberating actually. The door is open if you want it, but if you don't want it badly enough it ain't gonna happen...

[@Staff7]

I bench 390 my dream is 405 took 16 years hopefully 405 soon.

[@mr.millionaire4570]

I’m benching 315 my dream weight is 405ilb 🏋🏾💪🏾 Last week i accomplished my biggest goal in the gym declining 225ilb 40 reps straight 👏🏾👏🏾💪🏾 next goal 50 straight. Word of advice to everyone you have to believe in yourself and have the faith in order to achieve everything that you want in life . 🙏🏾

[@Bobobo-bo-bo-bobobo]

My 1 rep max was 315, but that was back in high school when I actually trained regularly. I'm working my way to SAFELY get there again with my current knowledge, bc back then I really didn't know how to lift weights. I kinda just full sent it with super heavy weight and its honestly a miracle I didn't get hurt

[@tjxwheel7812]

How old are you now

[@65FASTBACKMAN-dx9ge]

In high school I weighed around oh maybe 220-225 lbs or so and had a single rep on the bench press at 340 lbs my senior year. I was in weightlifting class my junior and senior year, worked out 2-3 times a week and would bench press every Monday and Wednesday at the minimum. I would go up 5 lbs a week on my lifts and my max because I was consistently lifting and would do typically a 6x6 workout, usually with around 275 lbs on the bar. Shortly after in college, I gained around 20 lbs that was mostly muscle and hit a single rep max at 405 lbs on the bench press my freshman year. I was also on the practice squad for the football team and was working out multiple times a week. Today, I'm around 265 lbs and just the other day I hit 405 lbs on the bench press for 6 continuous reps. It's honestly quite possible to do a 405 lb bench press without taking PED's, it just takes time and hard work as well as some knowledge on how to lift, what kind of repetition or routine you should do and so forth. One of the biggest things I see guys doing wrong at the gym is that they either do some funky workout like a 3x8/3x10 or they'll only do one bench press workout a week. In order to see the improvement or gains that you want to see in any sort of timely manner, you need to do two bench press workouts a week, and I always recommend doing a 5x5 or a 6x6 workout with as much weight as you can do. You can always do a few negative reps on your last set or two, but do something that you can do for at least 3x5 without the assistance of a spotter, and then if you need some help on a few reps on the last set or two, then that's fine. If you do that consistently, you're going to go up quite a bit in your bench press.

[@DanturtyHemachandra]

The answer is yes, there's just a lot of "ifs" that go with it. IF you're a male, IF you FOCUS on bench (most people incorporate bench into some overall fitness routine without a specific goal), IF you're willing to gain some weight, IF you have a clean bill of health, IF you're within a certain age range (15-65? feel free to make your own goal posts) THEN yes, you can do it.

[@UnitedWeStandFreedom]

Most i can do is 335 I've never took anything in my life but creatine and hmb I've been lifting on and off 25 years . It's absolutely possible! Just not for me yet if ever lol

[@patricija4179]

I have a friend who is 23yo currently and started going to the gym at 19. His 1RM right now: bench press is 200kg(440lbs)(lifting his butt tho) deadlift is 330kg(727lbs) squat is 250kg(550)

[@RaZziaN1]

bullshit

[@patricija4179]

@@RaZziaN1 on god lol it doesn't make sense even😭😭😭 mf dont want to compete and dont want to hop on some juice to boost it....

[@PLeonard71]

I appreciate your content. There are 400 lb natural benchers. It always surprises me how people are shocked that others are just better than them so they make excuses or don’t try.

[@billj4525]

For sure, people always compare others to them. If someone has bad genetics then they think everyone else does, and think everyones on steroids. Some people with good genetics sometimes do it too and think others aren't working hard enough, and while it's true sometimes, other times it's because they don't have good genetics like you. Don't assume people are like you good or bad. Genetics put you where you are.

[@randalgordon8822]

It’s absolutely possible. I’ve done it, training partners have done it, my cousin has done it , my dad has done it.

[@howtobeit9149]

First it depends on what you call a bench press... Back arched to the point where even trucks can pass underneath where you only move the weight a few inches... Then sure even 500 is possible for the big boys drug free. A regular bench press? If you're 5'10 average build and genetics and start training in your 30s.. drug free you'll be peaking at 360 lbs bench after 5-10 years of hard training. If you start in your 20s even better... Teens.. the best age will be starting calisthenics a few years before puberty like push ups and pull ups. That's when you can take even average genetics to the next level drug free.

[@CrownxMe7]

This comment section is insane. I have been to multiple gyms in multiple states actively the past several years and I assure you, most men did not even bench 315, let alone 405. Even at my gym now, it’s rare to see a man bench more than 225 for several reps.

[@dontneedtoknow9629]

These people like to lie to themselves

[@mamotalemankoe3775]

The gaslight is unreal. I intend to push my bench potential to it's very limits so I'm not trying to cope but I have only seen one dude who openly states he juices bench 4 plates and he did it for 3 reps but that guy was shaped like a sphere. There are tons of other huge, tall jacked as fuck dudes in my gym who never even try 3.5 plates let alone 4. Everytime I read the comments of these vids I feel like I'm either a super malnourished weakling or getting gaslit to shit because where tf are these bench gods irl? Dudes benching 500lbs natty before 30 years old at 230-260, fucking insane.

[@CrownxMe7]

@@mamotalemankoe3775 there’s a lot of guys on TRT now which would impact that. On TRT your T-levels don’t dip naturally and they’re steady. You can put on more muscle doing less intensity. It’s either that or they’re just flat out lying. But you’re correct. I had a supervisor and co-worker years back who both could hit 315 on incline. Both of them were around 230 and 5’10 ish. They weren’t shredded and it took them years to get to that point. These guys were in their 40s

[@CorsoandMastiffadventures]

I benched 405 drug free at 25 years old and 200lbs. Took me 6 years to go from 315 to 405 though 😅