I lift weights too. How much can you currently bench?
I will have a surprise for you in a week or two, Brian.
I'm not a plain weight lifter, but a bodybuilder. I'm not concerned with how much I bench, but rather the size, shape and definition I can create. I generally do 6-8 rep sets for mass training, and 8-15 rep sets for shape/definition training. I rarely go for one rep maximums, since it's very stressful on joints and can create injury. When people talk about benching, they must mean pure barbells as well, because machines, even smith machines help do the work for you, so they don't count. You need to base your training off freeweights for mass, otherwise, your minor muscle groups will be forgotten because the machines replace them, and you will build other areas out of propotion, causing the smaller ones to become inactive.
I also target every muscle group, from every angle possible for optimum symmetry, so I consider my bench a small part of my training. The bench is primarily lower pec and tricep (unless your do alternate angles). I do bench a lot, but I do other routines a lot as well. Too much benching will overdevelop your lower pecs and not build your upper pecs. Many people don't have any upper pectoral development at all, yet massive lower pecs. That will spell disaster if you plan on competing. Also, many people who focus on bench too much will build their triceps, but have weak biceps. For a perfect bodybuilding physique, you need bulging biceps with sharp peaks.
Anyways, I am incredibly strong, with 15 1/2" pipes at 5'6, when the pros at about 6'0-6'2 have about 19-21". That's really not much of a difference. Also, I stay lean, so there's no fat around my arms to add size. It's pure muscle. Also, your abdominals will not be visible in relaxed form unless you have a bodyfat level of about 10% or less, so that's another reason I stay lean.
I can't wait for the suprise! I'll have a suprise for everyone too by then--the decompiler!
