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KnoxWheels82
KnoxWheels82 g Jonathan smith
16 Post(s)
16 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Lose Fat Date Joined: January 1, 2018
Posted

I did barbell bench press for the first time yesterday. I usually use two-40lb dumbbells. The guy who was spotting for me loaded up the weights on the barbell (I didn't think to look to see how much) and I did 18 reps. He asked me if I wanted more weight, said "sure", and he put more on without telling me (and I didn't think to ask) how much he'd gone up to. The weight was definitely heavier and I was only able to do 8 reps. Decided that was enough and asked him how much was on the bar, he told me 135lbs. I looked and sure enough, it was 135lbs. I've never lifted that much in free weights before. Absolutely amazing to me that I can barbell bench press 135lbs for 8 reps the very first day I tried.

I do have a question about form. Is my back supposed to be flat against the bench or am I supposed to have my chest up (i.e. balancing on my shoulder blades)?

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: KnoxWheels82

I did barbell bench press for the first time yesterday. I usually use two-40lb dumbbells. The guy who was spotting for me loaded up the weights on the barbell (I didn't think to look to see how much) and I did 18 reps. He asked me if I wanted more weight, said "sure", and he put more on without telling me (and I didn't think to ask) how much he'd gone up to. The weight was definitely heavier and I was only able to do 8 reps. Decided that was enough and asked him how much was on the bar, he told me 135lbs. I looked and sure enough, it was 135lbs. I've never lifted that much in free weights before. Absolutely amazing to me that I can barbell bench press 135lbs for 8 reps the very first day I tried.

I do have a question about form. Is my back supposed to be flat against the bench or am I supposed to have my chest up (i.e. balancing on my shoulder blades)?

Pressing 135lbs on your first time doing bench is awesome @KnoxWheels82.. and doing it for 8 reps is even better! haha awesome job!!

 

Your form is right - you should have a slight arch in your back, and have your shoulder blades retracted with your chest up. Perfect!

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