Posted: 7/22/2026 1:02:06 PM EDT
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38 years old. 175lbs. About 14% bf. Lifting consistently for about 18 months. I dont work chest a whole lot. But doing 1 rep of 225 has been a soft goal for me. I just grabbed my wife to spot me. Hammered out 4.5 reps at 225! Closest I've ever gotten is 5 reps at 205 6mo ago. Fuck yeah! On to the next goal. |
The cost of treason isn't paid in Dollars.
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Way to go! Do you ever use the chest press machine? I can push 220 on the one at the gym, but I'm not sure if that relates to real bench press at all. The last time I maxed on a regular bench was 185. Unless I go early in the day, all the benches are taken up by MILFS using just the bar or guys lifting way too heavy for me to work in. Congratulations! |
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Originally Posted By Seastate: Way to go! Do you ever use the chest press machine? I can push 220 on the one at the gym, but I'm not sure if that relates to real bench press at all. The last time I maxed on a regular bench was 185. Unless I go early in the day, all the benches are taken up by MILFS using just the bar or guys lifting way too heavy for me to work in. Congratulations! Thanks bro! No machine, just plain old bench press. Basement gym. Dumbell work just hurts, so I basically just do BP and dumbell pullovers (I think they are called). Would really like to get a chest fly machine for a finisher. If anyone has more chest exercises, I'd love to hear. |
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Did I make it in before one of the arfcom millionaires talks about how he benched 500 for reps while his supermodel wife spotted him? I have a buddy at work who always wants to one up and it reminds me.of the arfcom stereotype lol. Great job! 225 is a legit goal that not all that many people actually hit no matter what social media tells you. |
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Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911: Did I make it in before one of the arfcom millionaires talks about how he benched 500 for reps while his supermodel wife spotted him? I have a buddy at work who always wants to one up and it reminds me.of the arfcom stereotype lol. Great job! 225 is a legit goal that not all that many people actually hit no matter what social media tells you. Well, I can check one of those boxes, working on the other 2  Thanks man. Yeah, seems like not a lot of just male gym goers can do 225. Consistent lifters, farmers, wrestlers, bodybuilders, etc routinely do that. Feels like a goal I never would hit. I remember watching the NFL combine, watching the WRs and DBs push out rep after rep at 225, so that was sort of like my motivation. |
Great job! I probably just benched it for the last time  I am on year 14 of a shoulder prosthetic, and on my last rep on my last set about 6 weeks ago, I partially tore my rotator cuff in that shoulder. Surgeon said if PT doesn’t fix it they have to go in and replace the entire prosthetic. I’m 53 in a month, so I told the PT guy to get me back to doing pushups and I’d never flat bench again. Rep one out for me, homie. |
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Originally Posted By TxRabbitBane: It’s a great benchmark - congrats. I remember the first time I benched 225- it was a great day. I’m sure this thread will be filled with “pfff that’s nothing”, posts… just ignore them. Thanks man! I know there are plenty that can do more But I also know there are plenty who can do less. Im just happy for the progress I made. Feels like the hard work actually paid off. Time for the next goal |
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Originally Posted By billth777: Now that you can hit it, reps will increase quickly. A younger, fatter, me could hit 3 plates but at 40+ it took be a while to get back to 225. Once I hit it within weeks I was up to repping 5-7 for a set. I sure hope so. Thanks for the encouragement |
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Congrats! Originally Posted By TxRabbitBane: I’m sure this thread will be filled with “pfff that’s nothing”, posts… just ignore them. Nah, that's GD...in here the real gym bros congratulate everyone on their accomplishments. We know how hard you worked to get there! |
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Originally Posted By TxRabbitBane: I’m sure this thread will be filled with “pfff that’s nothing”, posts… just ignore them. forget you weren't in GD for a minute? And congrats OP. I'm stuck in no-man's land in between two and three plates lol. Current 1RM 265. I want three plates before my left shoulder issues a more lasting reminder that "hey dude, let's not forget you're 55 now, not 35"  |
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Originally Posted By Flashover343: Congrats! Nah, that's GD...in here the real gym bros congratulate everyone on their accomplishments. We know how hard you worked to get there! Don’t forget about all the “Al Bundys” in GD referencing when they were like 17-22yo hitting the bench twice a day with the football team that now get winded walking to the fridge. Congrats OP. I hit that milestone last year after never having touched bench press until I was 41. My goal is now to hit 225 for 10 and ultimately my body’s weight for 20. I am trying to get lighter to make it easier hahah. |
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Originally Posted By smokinghole: Don’t forget about all the “Al Bundys” in GD referencing when they were like 17-22yo hitting the bench twice a day with the football team that now get winded walking to the fridge. Congrats OP. I hit that milestone last year after never having touched bench press until I was 41. My goal is now to hit 225 for 10 and ultimately my body’s weight for 20. I am trying to get lighter to make it easier hahah. Heck yeah man! You got this |