jimiforpres
Rookie
How much do you weigh, and how much do you bench press(max)?
I guess I will start off:
Weight: 105 lbs
Bench: 120 lbs
I guess I will start off:
Weight: 105 lbs
Bench: 120 lbs
Weight and Bench?
- Thread starter jimiforpres
- Start date
Ano
Hall of Fame
I completely agree with your statement.
However, I honestly think it's completely fine for the OP to ask that question. Perhaps he was just curious. And he stated that his max bench is 120 lbs, which is completely normal for a 105 pounds teenager (it's not a macho lift).
After all, the title of this thread is "Health & Fitness".
Ano
Hall of Fame
jimiforpres
Rookie
Yeah, great thinking Phil, I started this thread to "brag" about my "macho" 120 bench press. I want the WHOLE WORLD to know that I can bench 120 pounds. I bet you are all impressed, I mean, 120 lbs, that's just unheard of for anyone to be able to bench. And how the hell is knowing Agassi can bench 350 going to answer my question? *******.
Hmm, you don't think that someone who developed his strength to be maximally strong, but without a lot of added bulk, could benefit with a faster swing speed? I know, I know, you get most of your power from correct technique, weight transfer, pushing off with the legs, etc., but I still think that pure strength can only help you hit the ball harder...
Ano
Hall of Fame
I'm not sure, but if I tried to do 1RM I'd be screwed. My right are is WAY bigger than my left, so the right would be fine, but my left arm would cave and I'd drop the weight on myself.
You are 15, right? Don't even think to try 1RM until you are no longer a teenager.
You're confusing strength and power.
Power = Strength applied with Speed.
Endurance Power = Strength applied with speed over & over.
The amount of strength actually required to hit the average tennis ball (even very hard) is not that great, certainly not above the average strength of the male population. To hit with control with the required speed - that's a whole different case. To be able to do this for a many-hour match... different again.
Maximal strength (well, semi-maximal given maximal is dangerous) exercise is more beneficial than raw muscle-building, for sure - no-one wants to carry unnecessary bulk. Personally, I'd think endurance work and power work - possibly more relevant again imho.
I don't know you, your age or your training level, so it's highly likely you're right, but I think too many people make too many assumptions that may or may not be true when it comes to elite athletes.
Phil
Hall of Fame
Phil, maybe they're building up muscles to bring you a crate of coke
For my appetite I'll nead a shipping CONTAINER-full of Coke, so...they better get on it and increase those weights fast!
Rickson
G.O.A.T.
I'm currently 180 and can bench 225 for 4-5 reps. I work 70-90 hours a week so my schedule doesn't allow me to hit the weights as hard as I could, but at my strongest, I was 195 lbs. with a 345 lb. bench press.
Ah, but see, I was going on the theory that the stronger a muscle is, given the same size/weight, the faster you should be able to accelerate it, which would equate with more power. I'm not saying that's set in stone, just an idea...In any case, being stronger, as long as you don't bulk up too much, certainly can't hurt your power.
tennis-n-sc
Professional
Actually, for a 105 lb. guy to bench 120lbs. is not that bad. I don't know for a fact, but I'll bet you are way above average. I'm 200 lbs and no way can I bench that weight without being in the same hospital room with Robert. Of course, I'm probably 100 years older than you. Hey, if you're in the gym lifting, it's natural to try to max out one rep. Make sure you have a spotter and use good form to prevent injury, then go for it. It won't help your tennis that much but who cares. And I'm one that believes Andre benched 350 while walking on water.
tennis-n-sc
Professional
I love it any time anyone even alludes to the fitness principle of "Specificity", it just makes me soo happy! Great post atatu....
Phil
Hall of Fame
If 1RM bench presses were helpful to pro tennis players, don't you think they would actually DO that as training. Most tennis players today are still fairly lean-without the huge bulk that goes with great strength (though they are strong). It's all about technique, timing and hand eye coordination. Strength can't hurt, but it's one of the least important variables. This is why a skinny 12-year old junior girl who is a top player in her division, can strike the ball harder than most grown men (who are, obviously, much physically stronger than she is).
Ano
Hall of Fame
If you are SURE that your muscles are getting bigger, and you are not losing fat (subcutenous /under the skin fat)and your weight is still the same, perhaps you lose your visceral fat or intramuscular fat?
Usually if someone gains muscles and retains his weight, that usually means he(she) gains muscles and loses fat at the same time.
Or perhaps you only train your upper body and never train your legs, so you gain muscles in the upper body and lose muscles in the legs?
However to make sure, I have to ask you this :
1. Are you sure that your muscles are getting bigger in all bodyparts ?? (upper body and lower body).
2. What method do you use to measure you bodyfat? Are you sure it's accurate and performed under same condition?
megaforcetkd
Rookie
Age : 15
Weight : 138 lbs
Max Bench : 225 lbs (1RM)
I'm a bodybuilder, so I guess it's not freakish =/.
Weight : 138 lbs
Max Bench : 225 lbs (1RM)
I'm a bodybuilder, so I guess it's not freakish =/.
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
Agree completely with Phil. You know, I used to be a big proponent of lifting weights and guess I still am of the Olympic-style lifts because they are functional movements. Of course, I had to lift in college during football and basketball and it's useful in those sports due to their physical nature. As I've gotten older (ripe old age of 32 here!), I've gravitated toward bodyweight exercises and my joints have never felt better. I haven't lifted weights regularly in years but I keep a routine of about 7 push up variations (hindu, dive bombs, different hand spacing, perfect push grips-these things are awesome, by the way-well worth $40), dips and pull-ups, sit-ups and crunches, lunges. I know I'm just as strong and athletic and much more flexible. It may sound weird but I just feel more "coordinated". I also "wrassle" alligators twice weekly, which is great for grip strength and quick volleys exchanges at net.
That's gotta keep ya motivated.
nhstennis
Semi-Pro
im really weak in the benching department and just bench little weight 85, 95. Recently after benching 2-3x a week, my left wrist hurt pretty bad. So now my tennis backhand is terrible due to the pain. Can anyone tell me if incorrect benching can cause this wrist pain but more importantly how to prevent the pain from benching (technique-wise)?
Thanks
Thanks
nhstennis
Semi-Pro
Are you on power-lifting for school perhaps? Cuz thats pretty beastly to be playing tennis with.
megaforcetkd
Rookie
No, but I'm plannin on attending a power lifting meet in Australia. My cousin in Australia lifts too so when I go to Aus for summer break, hopefully there's one on. And actually, it doesn't really hinder me in tennis at all, unless I hit a really hard forehand, because my follow through sometimes causes me to smack my arm across my chest. Haha.
nhstennis
Semi-Pro
what did u do to get so strong? What workouts? I really need to up my bench, just to feel better about myself....you know. seeing my frends llifting so much more on bench really kills me.
D
Deleted member 4983
Guest
The bench press is for whimps. A true test of strength and endurance is how many push-ups you can do.
SuperFrogFighter
New User
Well the major muscles used to swing a tennis racquet are the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and deltoids of the torso, and the biceps and triceps of the arms most of which can be exercised using the bench press. In fact push pull exercises such as the bench press are the best way to exercise these muscles.
Your max bench press is an indicator of your total strength and does have some bearing in tennis. A rule of thumb is that you should be able to bench press your body weight. This will provide you with good strength but still allow good flexibility. At a certain point your muscle mass begins to hinder your flexibility and could hold you back in a sport like tennis. No one can argue that with the same exact technique a man who benches more than his body weight will hit the ball the same speed as a man who benches less.
As for when to attempt to max for boys it is when they are able to produce higher levels of testosterone, usually between ages 14-17. Studies have found that resistance training is both healthy and effective for children as young as 6, but at that age they do not have the ability to build muscle mass, only to strengthen what they have. When lifting always use proper form and have a partner with you.
I am 22, 6' tall, and weigh 205 (a little heavier than I want to be). My max is 225 (I can bench 3 times but can not bench anymore weight even one time, kind of wierd). I have no problems with flexibility and believe I can add considerable more to my max without any negative affects on flexibility.
Your max bench press is an indicator of your total strength and does have some bearing in tennis. A rule of thumb is that you should be able to bench press your body weight. This will provide you with good strength but still allow good flexibility. At a certain point your muscle mass begins to hinder your flexibility and could hold you back in a sport like tennis. No one can argue that with the same exact technique a man who benches more than his body weight will hit the ball the same speed as a man who benches less.
As for when to attempt to max for boys it is when they are able to produce higher levels of testosterone, usually between ages 14-17. Studies have found that resistance training is both healthy and effective for children as young as 6, but at that age they do not have the ability to build muscle mass, only to strengthen what they have. When lifting always use proper form and have a partner with you.
I am 22, 6' tall, and weigh 205 (a little heavier than I want to be). My max is 225 (I can bench 3 times but can not bench anymore weight even one time, kind of wierd). I have no problems with flexibility and believe I can add considerable more to my max without any negative affects on flexibility.
megaforcetkd
Rookie
Other core lifts like squats and deadlifts slowly increase your bench as well. You really want to work your deltoids and triceps a lot too, since those are used a lot in benching.
Basically, I started off, and still am on Rippetoes, but I've gone on and off with a few weeks of rest between. I'm going to switch over to a different program once I figure out where I want to go from here.
LOL. That's the most ignorant and stupid comment I've ever heard on these forums.
