I'm really weak, but does it matter?

MJF

MJF

WWPBBD
My coworkers who are in the gym at the same time as me are always giving me crap saying I'm weak and don't lift enough weight. I blow them off saying i don't care about strength and if i could get the look I want with 15lb dumbbells, that would be fine.

The other day I went to one of those online calculators and entered the weight i can bench press and how many times. I do 3x10 flat bench at 210, but on set 3 I can only get about 8 before failure. So i entered i can lift 210 ten times and the calculator said my max should be 290-305 or close to that.

Since today was chest day, I decided to try it. I got 250 up, but had to have a little help at 260. So my max is only 40lb more than I work out with?

I don't train for strength. I train to look good at the beach. I've only been at it for a year and I'm 43. Should I care how much weight I can push around? I'm actually pretty darn happy with how I look for the amount of time I have put into it and where I started. That's not to say I'm done and planning to slack off. I want more size and a lower bf%.
 
You've posted threads before about your coworkers. It's been over 25 years since high school. Fuck em. You should be doing all of this for yourself, not anybody else. Not being mean but it needed to be said...
 
These guys are good guys and mostly just us ripping on one another, but I do have some awful people I work with.
 
The first time I ever lifted weights I was 19 and could hardly bench 95lbs. Everybody starts somewhere. Just remember every king was a crying baby. Keep doing your thing and don't give a chyte about others. You can do it man keep working hard and keep A good diet. Best of luck
 
I guess if I had a question out of all that it would be, should I be focusing on trying to get my max up to build more muscle? I know you can't build muscle without getting stronger. But do I need to change my workout to one that is geared towards getting stronger in order to put on lean mass?

I already have a few aches and pains and fear doing some sort of a pyramid workout or loading heavier weights will just make it worse.
 
I don't agree with that. Muscle under tension builds muscle. I have went lighter on the weights as I get older and I'm growing still. I'll do pre-exhaustion and drop sets. Even hi reps. I don't max and never do under 6-8 reps. That's me. I did the heavy shit. It's only a matter of time before u get hurt. I don't know just my opinion. Don't be lifting like a pussy though. That's not what I mean...
 
Is your goal strength or hypertrophy? I train for power and my shoulders are taking a beating even with my flawless bench and upright press form. I am only 26 so someone older may have more joint issues than I do. Don't risk injury just to impress. Impress them with your physique and forget a big bench. I am at 375x4 and no one cares because people only admire physiques.
 
Yeah I'm old and in it for physique. Plus since i don't go to a mainstream gym or hang out with teenagers, I can't remember the last time someone asked what my max bench was.

I really only thought about it cause my oldest is in athletics and they do their 5 rep max so he talks about it.
 
tbonexl said:
The biggest guys aren't always the strongest guys...
Click to expand...

You are right, but if you get two guys who have similar bf% the one who is heavier will usually out lift the lighter. I know that the more mass I gain the more my lifts jump. Especially bench, squat, and overhead. I have seen some huge guys struggle to lift 225 for 8 reps so don't feel bad OP.
 
MJF said:
I guess if I had a question out of all that it would be, should I be focusing on trying to get my max up to build more muscle? I know you can't build muscle without getting stronger. But do I need to change my workout to one that is geared towards getting stronger in order to put on lean mass?

I already have a few aches and pains and fear doing some sort of a pyramid workout or loading heavier weights will just make it worse.
Click to expand...

What you should be asking yourself is WHY they care so much about your weight on the bar. I'm thinking you look better than they do, so they have to find a way to justify it. I'll take looking amazing over raw power any day - let the kids with young connective tissues compare dicks over 1RM. Then you can poke fun when they cry about torn tendons and rotator injuries. ;)

My .02c :)
 
u dont need to lift so heavy to build muscle..work with what u feel comfortable with.I think u look good from the pic no homo lol..Big difference in powerlifting and body building..Going to heavy causes injuries so lift smart..Also who gives a fuck what anyone thinks if your happy with how u look thats all that matters
 
I lift pussy weight not that I don't have the strength I just don't see the need to go heavy to build muscle good form and squeezing the muscle gives the best results
 
49ER said:
I lift pussy weight not that I don't have the strength I just don't see the need to go heavy to build muscle good form and squeezing the muscle gives the best results
Click to expand...

Exactly some of the biggest guys do lower weight to get a good pump. Only lift very heavy if your main goal is strength.
 
halfwit said:
What you should be asking yourself is WHY they care so much about your weight on the bar. I'm thinking you look better than they do, so they have to find a way to justify it. I'll take looking amazing over raw power any day - let the kids with young connective tissues compare dicks over 1RM. Then you can poke fun when they cry about torn tendons and rotator injuries. ;)

My .02c :)
Click to expand...

People have to leave their pride at home when they go to the gym. Why does a grown man care how much another can lift if they are not involved in competitive lifting, and yes, that mindset will lead to injuries? I see kids racking crazy weights for their size and ask me for a spot only to use bad PL form and they want me to guide the bar up the whole way for them.
 
MJF weight has nothing to do with it. Ive built an impressive physique and dont really lift that heavy compared to some people. Take a look around next time you at the gym and look at the guys who are lifting the most weight and ask youself, do they look good? I bet 9 times outta 10 the answers no.

Its not about how much you can physically lift its about how much the muscle your intending to work can lift.

Time under tension, and full range of motion. And once again not how far you can physically move but how far the muscle your intending to work can move without having other muscle groups come into play.
 
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