Today I was able to increase my bench press weight to 120lbs. I was able to perform the 1st set of 8 reps, 2nd set 7 reps, and the 3rd set 5 reps – all sets were not very clean, but at least I was able to move up in weight. From my understanding of building strength / muscle, you need to maximize the amount of weight – which in turn will “activate” all of your muscle (there are technical words for this, but I just don’t remember them).
One of the side benefits of increasing the weight amount to 120lbs was that now it finally looks like I’m lifting something more than just a bar with a few little weights on the end. I have an Olympic weight set which comes with a 45lbs bar. So, it doesn’t take much weight on the end of the bar to reach what I’m lifting.
So, today I was able to remove the “little” weights and put on one of those 35lbs plates on each end (along with a 2 ½ lbs plate). That makes it look a bit better – even though it still looks a bit weak.
I’m now over the amount that I need to handle 10 times for the Bronze Medal @ the Flying Pig Pump –n Run – even though I’m not sure on my 1st set that I could have actually done 10 reps – but if not, I’m very close.
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