Can I do this?

[GoatMonkey]

What is your goal really though? Bench pressing 225 is a goal, but do you want to do that just to be able to say you can, or do you have some other reason for working out?

Want a bigger, more cut chest? Work on incline bench more than straight bench.

I think it might be possible to do. You're fairly short and shorter guys have a bit of an advantage when doing bench presses.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: TheNinja

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven
ok short answer YES.
long answer NO with a unless.

No you can't unless you work your ass off (about 3 hours workout time a week) for a few years.
i started weight lifting in august. i had trouble lifting the bar (45lb) 10 times. now after working out only 2 hours every week i can do 95 lb 10 times and my max is 135. so yeah you can but it'll take time. not something that'll happen over winter break.

This advice is wrong. Two plates really isn't that much weight and he could realistically achieve his goal in a year or less if he applies himself.

There is no way an average 145 lb guy is going to be able to bench press 225 lbs 5 times after only a year of training.

As if he's going to remain at 145lb.....

Doesn't matter. The fact is, he is starting at 145 lbs. I am curious to know what his max bench is now. 225 lbs 5 times is quite a feat to most people.

I agree. And I believe he said he maxes 150 right now....there is no way he's repping 225 in a year. If the OP is seriously though it can be done. However 225x5 at 160 pounds is pretty dang strong for that size.

You should have a shorter term goal of max bench of 200 within a year or something. 50 lbs a year should be doable if you are new to lifting.

yea i agree with these guys big time. it took me years to get up to even repping 225lbs one time. when i first started I could do 95lbs probably 6-8 times and was about 150lbs @ 5'11.

 

[GenHoth]

At 160 is it really reasonable to bench 225 x5? I'm 160 and I feel like I would have to add considerable weight to my frame to hit 225 x 5

 

[vi edit]

A friend of mine in college was 5'4" and about 145 and could bench 275x5, but he was a muscle bound little freak for his size.

It's not impossible, but I certainly think that it's a bit unrealistic given the time and weight constraints you are proposing.

Also as was mentioned, trying to base your goals off of a top draft pick NFL running back is rather far reaching.

Personal goals are just that. They relate to what you can do. Not what someone else can.

 

[GenHoth]

I maxed at 215 before my reaction to the tetanus vaccine whooped me. Maybe I'll try and get way up there again...

 

[tidehigh]

bench press is over-rated. don't push your max, it will lead to injuries.

 

[StageLeft]

A 145 lb runner aiming to be able to bench 225 5 times by the end of winter, no not realistic. I am 5,11 and at a weight of 167-168 two years ago with very low body fat (good bit under 10%) I was still able to do 225 5 times, but that's after years of weight lifting and if I had pulled my weight down much further it would have been difficult to keep the upper body strength there. Certainly there are 160 lbers (your goal) who can do 225 5 times, sure, but it's not a quick thing to get to.

bench press is over-rated. don't push your max, it will lead to injuries.

Agree. I have read enough about it to give me pause and after more than a decade of it, I now only do dumbell incline press for my heavy chest and try to bring my elbows down a bit (less of a rough angle on shoulders).

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven
ok short answer YES.
long answer NO with a unless.

No you can't unless you work your ass off (about 3 hours workout time a week) for a few years.
i started weight lifting in august. i had trouble lifting the bar (45lb) 10 times. now after working out only 2 hours every week i can do 95 lb 10 times and my max is 135. so yeah you can but it'll take time. not something that'll happen over winter break.

This advice is wrong. Two plates really isn't that much weight and he could realistically achieve his goal in a year or less if he applies himself.

wait. where did i say he couldn't / i said he could but it'll take a while and not something thats gonna happen over winter break.

also 2 plates (i assume 45) is a lot in bench press. but like i said possible given time.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: TheNinja

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven
ok short answer YES.
long answer NO with a unless.

No you can't unless you work your ass off (about 3 hours workout time a week) for a few years.
i started weight lifting in august. i had trouble lifting the bar (45lb) 10 times. now after working out only 2 hours every week i can do 95 lb 10 times and my max is 135. so yeah you can but it'll take time. not something that'll happen over winter break.

This advice is wrong. Two plates really isn't that much weight and he could realistically achieve his goal in a year or less if he applies himself.

There is no way an average 145 lb guy is going to be able to bench press 225 lbs 5 times after only a year of training.

As if he's going to remain at 145lb.....

Doesn't matter. The fact is, he is starting at 145 lbs. I am curious to know what his max bench is now. 225 lbs 5 times is quite a feat to most people.

I agree. And I believe he said he maxes 150 right now....there is no way he's repping 225 in a year. If the OP is seriously though it can be done. However 225x5 at 160 pounds is pretty dang strong for that size.

You should have a shorter term goal of max bench of 200 within a year or something. 50 lbs a year should be doable if you are new to lifting.

yea i agree with these guys big time. it took me years to get up to even repping 225lbs one time. when i first started I could do 95lbs probably 6-8 times and was about 150lbs @ 5'11.

funny, thats almost exactly where i am right now(your old specs). including the height and the weight. so it'll take years huh. well good to know so i don't end up giving up.

 

[James3shin]

Thanks for all the replies. I joined wannabebig.com and read some of their forum stickies, but I'm still stuck with studying finals I certainly don't think I'll get to my 225 goal over winter break (~1 month) from school, but I'm going to be pushing myself pretty hard, and I also have a pretty lax schedule next semester, so I'll be in the gym a quite a bit I hope. I'll be looking for diet recommendations soon. Wannabebig has some good routines that I may try out as well. Someone also asked what I want to get from my goal, honestly, I just want to see if I can do it. I wanted to see if I could run a mile under 5 min and sure enough I did it after running like a madman, and eating like a Buddhist monk. This time, I'm expecting to lift weights like a MLB ballplayer (get it? ) and eat like a glutton, well quantity wise atleast.

 

[EvilYoda]

Seeing as how you are naturally athletic, genetics are a large part of things...you won't be able to hit the numbers you want within a month, but I'm sure you'll hit them if you persevere and keep going at it. once you get a schedule set, going to the gym is nothing...you almost look forward to it (it's one of the most peaceful times of my day). I'm not looking to be able to move a lot of weights, but I'm 155-160lb, 5'11" and I do sets at 190. 225 can't be all that far off for you, I'm sure. (I also don't watch what I eat...hoooooray genetics, once again, for not making me fat)

 

[Flash1969]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I agree. And I believe he said he maxes 150 right now....there is no way he's repping 225 in a year. If the OP is seriously though it can be done. However 225x5 at 160 pounds is pretty dang strong for that size.

You should have a shorter term goal of max bench of 200 within a year or something. 50 lbs a year should be doable if you are new to lifting.

I don't know how I missed him saying he had maxed out at 150. Pretty good start to already be benching more than his bodyweight. I do agree though, that 200 within a year would be a better goal. Either way, good luck to you op!