My bench press goal

[Dmitri]

hello i am 15 5'8 145 pounds now my goal is to be able to bench press 200 pounds by may 15 i bench press once a week (my chest workout) and my plan is to add 5 pounds each week to the bench press so i can achive this goal

do you think i will be able to do it? anyone has done it succesufly( adding 5 pounds each week to the bench press)

right now i bench (155)

thank you

[fadi]

No. You may want to set shorter term goals. Whats the point of benching 200lbs?

[Dmitri]

isnt it if i bench press more weight means i am stronger?

[vassille]

Originally Posted by Dmitri

isnt it if i bench press more weight means i am stronger?

That's true. You can try it your way and see how it works out. I'm sure you are going to learn a lot about your ability and your body.

[fadi]

I agree too. The theory is correct, but that does not make it practical. What makes you feel you will be able to increase 5lbs a week for the next 4-5 months? 200lbs specially for 145lb person is a lot of weight. Why not go for a 400lbs in a year for example?

[TRAZ]

Yeah...that is like saying that if 5lbs a week are added you should be able to press 260 additional lbs this year alone! Wow! That means in 10yrs I should be able to bench a small house!

[BUFFLURP]

YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUSH UP 5 LBS. A WEEK FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, AND THEN YOU WILL HIT A BRICK WALL. Stupid caps lock. but yeah, aiming for 200 lbs is a good goal, but dont set a time frame. you will disappoint yourself, and be demotivated.

[kovalaybolt17]

totally depends and your form to. and in my personall experience i found that if i worked my chest with dumbells instead of barbells my bench press increased faster when i tested it on a barbell. 155-200 may be reasonable. i went from 185-260 in a couple years. gaines about 25 pounds to.. so stay dedicated and you'll reach your goals

[VanMan185]

having goals is great, but may is 5 months away. im going to go out on a limb and say you don't bench a lot if you're 145 lbs, and you sound like you're a noobie to lifting. if so, i think you should set more resonable goals.

you can do it though, my bech max went from 130-280 in a little over a year and a half. stick with it.

[travis8798]

good luck adding 5 pounds every week. I am lucky to add 5 pounds every 2-3 weeks.

[thunder10]

Originally Posted by travis8798

good luck adding 5 pounds every week. I am lucky to add 5 pounds every 2-3 weeks.

I am the same way. I am 19, 5'8" 177lbs. I was stuck benching 275 for 3 months until a week ago where i finally got 285. sometimes your body just cant increase as fast, just dont get frustrated with not meating your goals, they will come eventually. And as other said try using dumbells to shock your muscles and work the stabilizers. I believe that is what got me past my plateu.

[loveandwar44]

I add 5 pounds every week more often than I don't, but I do a different rep range every once in awile.

5lbs a week is easy for some, hard for others.

[fadi]

Hey Dmitri, I hope you did not get offended by the replies. We are really looking out for you that is all. I have seen many people trying to do what you are trying to do and they end up sacrificing form for the increase in weight and get frustrated when they plateau.

[Dmitri]

thank you very much for all your help i really appriciate it

[hmmm]

For a new lifter that goal is quite possible.

I remember when i first started lifting i increased my bench by 14KG (over 30lbs) in under 2 months.

[t_dot_porkchop]

train like a powerlifter until May15 and you WILL be able to do it.

hitting chest once a week will NOT get you there.

[Dmitri]

you say i need to work on chest more than once a week?

[t_dot_porkchop]

i am saying you need to train like a powerlifter.

[Dmitri]

lol ok how would you describe that?
just do my hardest wehn i hit the gym?

[Euphrates]

I am sorry to intrude on this conversation but I've heard you should be able to bench your own weight. How much truth is there to this cause I am not able to do so and it's embarassing...