twilight zone

[knockdown]

I have a question that I hope some of you bro's can answer. I was doing bent over rows (5X5), and It hit me like a ton on bricks. Damn near every person in the weight room who was benching was lifting the same weight. I mean every one uses 225lbs on bench. I guest I noticed this due to the fact that Im doing 5X5's but it seems as if not one of them has increase on their bench in months. I really don't understand, do these people just hit a wall at 225lbs? and its not just bench, when they do squat, its all way the same weight. And they all ways have the same line when I ask them why they don't every DL, squat, cleans, dips or do bent over rows. My back hurts or I have bad knees, they always answer just like that. I swear I feel like Im in the twilight zone. Can any one bring some light on this for me please.

-thank you-

[Grizzly]

Most Americans are affected with a terrible heart disease; Acute Vagina

[Madcow2]

Confidence issues. They feel good about what it is they do so that's all they do. You have to remember that the BBing/gym microcosm is effectively retarded. There is so much misinformation and bullshit that even a well intentioned open minded searcher will almost always come away with very little good training information.

[Gavin Laird]

Vaginitis and self acceptance.

If it's "ok" to bench 225 then noone will feel the need to bench more. If every oher fucker but you nails 405 for 8 reps then your 225 looks pretty shitty and suddenly your motivated. You can't get strong in a weak gym.

G

[knockdown]

GL, you are correct about the weak gym thing but im stuck with Ballys for another year =(. I must say that it feels pretty damn good knowing that Im lifting more weight then every one else in the gym at any given time =).

-thank you-

[Freddy]

Its because most people, not just gym-rats, are pussies.

[Grizzly]

I'm seeing a theme here. LOL

[Ramstein II]

Most people use horrible, I mean absolutely horrible form, on bench. I see the 225 phenom too. It's an ego thing. The uninitiated gym dumb ass feels like the measure of a man is the bench--and you have to have at least 2 "big wheels" on each side to look like a man--so the ego says. The fact is that most guys I see bouncing up 225 for "forced reps" don't ever grow or increase in weight because their form sucks. On the other hand, every guy I've ever known with a thick chest and a big bench uses perfect form. Go figure. As far as the other lifts you mention go--they're hard. They make you feel like you're going to pop. Most people don't have the gravel in their gut to do it. To me, hard, basic lifts don't just build your muscles better, they build your mind and will.

[Girth]

Ram hit some GREAT points. "The measure of a man is in his bench." What bullshit! I can't count the number of times I've been asked, "What do you bench?" It's pretty close to the number of times I've replied, "I have no idea."

I repect/fear the guy whose legs rub together as he walks. It often exudes to me, the presence of education and strong work ethic.

Human nature is to do enough to get by. And getting by is defined by those around you, as referenced above. As you age, you'll learn that human nature is what the public uses to justify their mediocrity.