How Much Can You Bench?

I swear at least once a month some meathead will ask me this question. Being a personal trainer, I'm an easy target. Everyone at my gym knows I am a trainer, so the big guys like to prove something to themselves by comparing what they bench to what I can bench. And I look pretty small -- at 195 lbs and six feet tall -- so I can't be very strong, can I?

On bench press, I'm not. At best, I can get 275 lbs for one rep. Most of the big guys in my gym are doing 315 or more. Still, as far as I am concerned, and most strength coaches would agree with me, the bench press is not even remotely a good measure of strength.

A better question would be, How much can you squat?


Sam Byrd 1003 Squat at 198

Or better yet, How much can you deadlift?


Konstantine Kostanov 946 lb. Deadlift

Or best of all, How much can you clean and jerk?

Yukio Peter- Clean and Jerk 189 KG (416 lbs)


Any of these three core lifts are better indicators of overall strength than is the bench press.

Those of us who train for general strength and physical preparedness use all three of these lifts (and their variations) as the foundation of a good routine. Yes, we bench press too, but even for a chest-focused pressing movement, weighted dips are a better indicator of overall strength in the chest and shoulders.


Weighted dips - Bodyweight + 145 lbs for 8 reps

So if you work out a gym and someone asks, How much can you bench? Ask them how much they deadlift, or squat, or clean and jerk. They'll probably just give you a blank stare.

Tags: How Much Can You Bench?, bench press, squat, deadlift, clean and jerk, weight training, fitness, gyms, meatheads