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Maxing Out
by Alex Birch
Every time guys discuss weight lifting, they compare how much they max out on the bench. It's a quite ridiculous competition, all pretension aside, because in relation to a serious exercise program, it's pretty irrelevant.
I never max out when I work out. After I've been on the bench, I need to continue lifting for about 1,5 hours. That'd not be fully possible (with good results) if I maxed out on the bench. And for what reason? If you want to collect injuries, maxing out is a good way of doing it. Maxing out is a pseudo-macho game that spells I-am-not-really-working-out-for-real. If you did, you'd look more at sets, reps, technique--and food.
If guys want to compare bench marks at the gym, I don't see a problem with that. It's just annoying when they confuse their activity with real weight lifting or body building, because that is more lifestyle than one time achievement. Without continuation and technique, you won't go anywhere.
Set up to Fail.
You're right - Maxing out on a single is hardly a form of working out, it's Ego-Masturbation for meatheads. If one is aiming to be fit, one should set up to fail within 6-8 reps for strength training, or 12-15 reps for endurance. Basic stuff alot of newcomers to weight-lifting commonly forget.
maxing out
I tend to agree. Unless you're aiming for a gold medal, there's no point in the literal max-out. That said, I did find it motivational to use a pseudo-max-out as a goal or milestone. My "max-out" was always 2 reps. Sometimes 3 reps (but usually only with the help of a spotter). I would attempt this maybe once every six weeks or so.
When I was working out regularly and playing collegiate rugby here in the states, this was 3 reps at 335 pounds. I don't have any idea what my single-rep max would've been, but it wouldn't have mattered. It's been several years since,, and I'm just now getting back to the gym after about 10 months away. I'll probably never bench press 335 pounds again, but it's neat knowing that I could, in my prime.
David Z
Boo, hiss!
If you're going to include a picture of an Olympic lifter in your post, what would possess you to use a picture of anyone other than Sibel Özkan???