Interesting bench press data

[LostArra]

talking about the the top 1% of genetic potential -these guys would be great athletes no matter what you had them do.

Interesting that Durant was not impressive at any part of the NBA combine including vertical jump, agility test and quickness drills. His elite basketball skill set (and height) completely overshadow his lack of athleticism.

Also impressive that he even participated in the combine knowing he would not fare well. While it didn't hurt his draft status he has since recommended that potential top players not go to the combine.

The shortcomings of professional athletes reminds me of my favorite coaching line.
Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips was asked if he was concerned that his star running back Earl Campbell could not complete the pre-season 1 mile run. Phillips replied "if it's 4th down and a mile I'll take him out"

 

[coyotecreek]

The most I ever benched was 225. I was 23 or 24 years old and weighed 160 lbs.

I could also run a sub 6-minute mile. I wonder how many with a 225+ bench can also run a sub 6 mile?

I'm now 47 - 155 lbs and don't mess with heavy weights or run anymore!

 

[Skerhunter]

The most I ever benched was 225. I was 23 or 24 years old and weighed 160 lbs.

I could also run a sub 6-minute mile. I wonder how many with a 225+ bench can also run a sub 6 mile?

I'm now 47 - 155 lbs and don't mess with heavy weights or run anymore!

I wouldn’t worry about the mile time - I would doubt many ppl could even run a mile!

I’m not shocked by the data - a large portion of the population can’t lift that much to begin with and the majority that can quits exercising in their 20s and loses the ability.

I will say that I see a lot more older dudes moving an unsafe amount of weight now that trt has become more popular. Pretty impressive what you can do in your 40s/50s with the test levels of a 20 yr old!

 

[Balderdash]

Sadly, the same is true in the fire service, new guys are usually fit... for a while. Fortunately I have stayed fairly injury free and at the ripe "old" age of nearly-50, can still bench 225 for reps, though only a few before my form starts to suffer. If form was a consideration though (armpits tucked, using minimal lats) I can certainly see where the 3% might come from.

Do you have fit for duty programs?

We don't specifically, but most of our "old" guys over 40 are in pretty good to very good shape. Some don't necessarily look it, but many of us also work/ed construction and can really dig deep when it's time to get to work on scenes; a lot of young folks get humbled when they can't keep up with their pretty gym bods. "Water muscles" a really tough retired guy I worked with used to pejoratively call the gym rats.

By and large I'd say our folks are in much better shape than the average person, and it's pretty rare that I've had someone fail a situation due to being out of shape. We train a lot and are busy enough on runs, so I feel like I have a pretty good feel for the crews' capabilities.

 

[Poser]

Interesting that Durant was not impressive at any part of the NBA combine including vertical jump, agility test and quickness drills. His elite basketball skill set (and height) completely overshadow his lack of athleticism.

Also impressive that he even participated in the combine knowing he would not fare well. While it didn't hurt his draft status he has since recommended that potential top players not go to the combine.

The shortcomings of professional athletes reminds me of my favorite coaching line.
Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips was asked if he was concerned that his star running back Earl Campbell could not complete the pre-season 1 mile run. Phillips replied "if it's 4th down and a mile I'll take him out"

I didn't know that about Durant. Some folks have crazy "physical intelligence" and develop voodoo level skills. For the most part, I would imagine NBA players have genetically superior fast twitch muscle fibers and higher than average neuromuscular recruitment (the ability to recruit all of the muscles in the body in explosive efforts) levels.

 

[Maverick1]

Didn’t realize I’ve been “elite” for over 35 years. Ha. LOL.

A better measure, IMO, is percentage of one’s body weight, or what is called body weight ratio.

For example: Benching 225 for a person that weighs 240 pounds isn’t really impressive. For someone that weighs 125, that would be more impressive.

 

[Poser]

I could also run a sub 6-minute mile. I wonder how many with a 225+ bench can also run a sub 6 mile?

If you look at world class, olympic level sprinters, the vast majority probably bench press quite a bit. Granted, they aren't specializing in the distance of a mile, but the ability to run or jump explosively fast is often hinged on a high degree of neuromuscular recruitment: these athletes are able to recruit as much as 96% of the muscles in their bodies to contribute to a single effort. When you watch a sprinter sprint, you can literally see their upper body muscles working/contributing to their speed:

 

[Hnthrdr]

Sadly, the same is true in the fire service, new guys are usually fit... for a while. Fortunately I have stayed fairly injury free and at the ripe "old" age of nearly-50, can still bench 225 for reps, though only a few before my form starts to suffer. If form was a consideration though (armpits tucked, using minimal lats) I can certainly see where the 3% might come from.

The brothers and I were lifting the other day, and mulling over how sad it is that many rigs don’t even have 2 people on them that can bench body weight for reps, squat body weight for reps, and a high rise training evolution say 40 floors without coring out or just not being physically able to do it ( my city has been on a huge DEI hiring kick and loves putting duds out there) … yes we are meatheads on my shift and we take an extreme amount of pride in it haha, but out of the 10 assigned the O’s and engine engineer have let them selves go bad, the muckers are still all in good shape, should be the norm but tends to be the exception which is sad.

 

[30338]

Most I ever benched was 265. Currently doing reps at 185 but injury free. Like incline bench a bit better. I don't have a spotter when I lift in the basement but may try 225 sometime when I do. Getting closer to 60 and prefer injury free reps these days. Got 7 pullups on first set this am. Gotta get that back to 10.

 

[Maverick1]

 

[coyotecreek]

If you look at world class, olympic level sprinters, the vast majority probably bench press quite a bit. Granted, they aren't specializing in the distance of a mile, but the ability to run or jump explosively fast is often hinged on a high degree of neuromuscular recruitment: these athletes are able to recruit as much as 96% of the muscles in their bodies to contribute to a single effort. When you watch a sprinter sprint, you can literally see their upper body muscles working/contributing to their speed:

I agree 100%. I'm not sure what the point of this thread is other than most people don't take care of their bodies. There is much more to overall fitness than lifting heavy weight and sprinting as I'm sure you all would agree. I don't have the genetics to get big, thankfully I have a high metabolism. I eat as healthy as I can and work out for general fitness and hunting. Never cared about lifting for glamour purposes. If that's your thing go for it. Not trying to start an argument.