Warning: unseemly boasting within. Or, "Strong like ox. Smart like ox, too."

[xiphias]

I just had my every-six-week retest at the gym.

People say that the bench-press is one of the exercises where you can show the most improvement, which makes it a lot of fun. But this is getting ridiculous.

Six months ago, when I started, I had difficulty with just pressing the bar, without any weights on it. (The bar itself weighs 45 pounds (20.4 kg). You can start with smaller bars, too, and work up to the 45 pounds. I was able to start with the full-sized bar, but just barely.)

Today, for the retest, I was to press 135 pounds (61.2 kg) for as many times as I could. I can do 135 fairly easily, but only for a certain number of times. We wanted to find out how many.

The highest weight I'd previously done was 175 pounds (79.4 kg) for 5 reps. Brian had jokingly put that into a "One Rep Max" calculator -- an online program which takes a weight and a number of reps, and figures out what, theoretically, you can probably lift once. It came out to 197 pounds. So Brian had joked that, for the retest, we could either do the 135 for as many reps as possible, or just see if I could bench 200 pounds (90.7 kg) once.

Anyway, we did the not-insane one. And I lifted 135 pounds EIGHTEEN TIMES. 18 reps @ 135 lbs.

And then I asked if we could try the 200-pound thing, anyway.

So we did.

I got it with relative ease. Brian stopped me as I was trying a second rep -- but I coulda done it. And probably without injury. And I did that AFTER doing the 135 lb thing.

Comments

[lucretia-borgia.livejournal.com]

I think results like that make the boasting seemly. ;->

How long per day/how many days of training has gotten you there in 6 mos.?

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Whoohoo.. boast away :)

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I go three times a week, for 45 minutes.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

You is mighty.

Do you actually enjoy the training at all, or is it just something to be gone through in the pursuit of fitness?

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I'm beginning to enjoy the RESULTS of the training. There IS a sense of boastable accomplishment with this sort of thing.

But otherwise, no; I hate it.

[tendyl.livejournal.com]

That's amazing. I'd ask for pictures of the buff you, but not sure if you want.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I don't physically look significantly different, really. A little more "V" shaped, and a little less "O" shaped, but not a lot.

clam chowder

[paper-crystals.livejournal.com]

If you are still interested in taking me for clam chowder Sunday night would probably work the best. If you can't do Sunday I can do Friday. I have no car and very limited access to one ever. Will this be a problem?

Re: clam chowder

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Just checked it out: Turner's is open until 8 pm on Sunday, so, if you're okay with a supper on the early side, that will work. I can pick you up, no problem.

If this is going to work out, maybe I'll Call A Foo, if other people want to join us, if that sounds like fun.

Re: clam chowder

[paper-crystals.livejournal.com]

I would be fine with supper on the early side. When do you want to pick me up at the Hyatt? (I will be staying at the Marriott but I will probably be at the Hyatt for most of the con.)

Re: clam chowder

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

What's good for you? The time that pops into my head is 5 PM, but I'm flexible. And should I post inviting others, too?

Re: clam chowder

[paper-crystals.livejournal.com]

5pm sounds great. It would be great if other people want to come.