The Student Room Group

What do you think are strong numbers to lift?

When I started lifting I had numbers in mind. I've since surpassed them but my viewpoint is probably distorted.

I'm thinking 220/180/260 is when someone is truly strong.
Reply 1
Its such subjective subject.
Reply 2
Original post by AMG44
Its such subjective subject.


Yea, I know. That's why I wanted opinions.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Motorbiker
When I started lifting I had numbers in mind. I've since become a bench specialist but my viewpoint is probably distorted.

I'm thinking 220/180/260 is when someone is truly strong.

Story checks out.
I think you're strong in most peoples eyes with 2/3/4

In a dedicated lifting gym obvs that'd be different. But its a different reality in there. The one I train at, I'm often the smallest guy in there by 50 or 60kg 1rm on any given lift. Not surprising as a lot of the guys are NABBA competitors

Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 5
Original post by SmashConcept
Story checks out.


It's funny when you think bench used to be my worst lift substantially.

I think I had 160/90/180 as my Powerlifting total two/ three years ago. Lol. (cba to check but that ratio roughly existed at some point)

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Angry cucumber
I think you're strong in most peoples eyes with 2/3/4

In a dedicated lifting gym obvs that'd be different. But its a different reality in there. The one I train at, I'm often the smallest guy in there by 50 or 60kg 1rm on any given lift. Not surprising as a lot of the guys are NABBA competitors

Posted from TSR Mobile


I've gone from having the strongest deadlift by a good 40kg at 265kg in my old gym, to watching a guy do 3X5 with 260kg, while hungover, and he is nothing special.,. Right in the feels :frown:
Reply 7
Original post by Angry cucumber
I think you're strong in most peoples eyes with 2/3/4

In a dedicated lifting gym obvs that'd be different. But its a different reality in there. The one I train at, I'm often the smallest guy in there by 50 or 60kg 1rm on any given lift. Not surprising as a lot of the guys are NABBA competitors

Posted from TSR Mobile


2/3/4, really? 3/4/5 I could understand but 2/3/4 is weaker than I thought would be considered strong.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Motorbiker
2/3/4, really? 3/4/5 I could understand but 2/3/4 is weaker than I thought would be considered strong.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Most people don't lift, most people who do lift don't train for strength, most people who do train for strength are still quite weak.
Original post by Scoobiedoobiedo
Most people don't lift, most people who do lift don't train for strength, most people who do train for strength are still quite weak.


This.

However given the proportion of effort the average gym go-er puts into upper and lower respectively the ratio is distorted.

I.e. at my gym you'd need a 3 plate bench to be distinguishable, whereas there are an equally small number who can squat 3 plates to depth or deadlift 4 plates without looking like they'd collapse.

Issue is the average guy doesn't train for strength, and doesn't train legs apart from a few half squats and leg press.
Original post by illusionz
This.

However given the proportion of effort the average gym go-er puts into upper and lower respectively the ratio is distorted.

I.e. at my gym you'd need a 3 plate bench to be distinguishable, whereas there are an equally small number who can squat 3 plates to depth or deadlift 4 plates without looking like they'd collapse.

Issue is the average guy doesn't train for strength, and doesn't train legs apart from a few half squats and leg press.


Dominate them at their own game brah, 3 plate bench, 1 plate curl, whilst having 5+ plate squats and DL lol.
Original post by redbuthotter
Dominate them at their own game brah, 3 plate bench, 1 plate curl, whilst having 5+ plate squats and DL lol.


Got the deadlift and 4 plate squat. Still on poverty 2 plate bench though lol
Original post by illusionz
Got the deadlift and 4 plate squat. Still on poverty 2 plate bench though lol


One day.....
Original post by redbuthotter
Dominate them at their own game brah, 3 plate bench, 1 plate curl, whilst having 5+ plate squats and DL lol.

I love how you snuck in the coveted 1 plate curl.
260 bs
220 fs
300 dl
140 ohp
200 bp
My bench is rubbish. Therefore it's a stupid life and no one cares about it wah.

It's really tempting to just put the numbers I can do and say that's strong (slightly below what you put for squat and deads, waaaay below for bench). I think the numbers you put are good for squat (220) and dead (260), the strong guys I know are around there. 180 is a massive bench though. Drop that by at least a plate.
Original post by Scoobiedoobiedo
I've gone from having the strongest deadlift by a good 40kg at 265kg in my old gym, to watching a guy do 3X5 with 260kg, while hungover, and he is nothing special.,. Right in the feels :frown:


I'm one of the strongest guys in my uni gym

Feels when I go home :tongue:

Original post by Motorbiker
2/3/4, really? 3/4/5 I could understand but 2/3/4 is weaker than I thought would be considered strong.

Posted from TSR Mobile


If you go into any non bodybuilding, strongman, powerlifting gym. I.e. 95% of gyms... 2/3/4 will be mired by the majority. At uni despite matching on one of 2/3/4 half the people in there think I'm on something as I'm "strong".

If you want to be strong in a dedicated lifters gym 3/4/5 would be closer to the mark for some it'd be a lot more
4/5/6 would not be out of place at home lol.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 17
I think it's just context. Like stronger than most people ever will be (or even most people in the gym), strong enough for it to be respectable amongst lifts, strong for lifters to think your are particularly good and then freak strong.

I've been in gyms where benching 80kg for reps was really strong. I have a mate who couldn't get some bros to believe he is natural cause he pulls 180 at 70ish. Most people are seriously weak (and unfit, inflexible etc) so I'm not sure if being strong relative to them is worth caring about. I'd go with respectable amongst lifters as more worthwhile, as well as still attainable to pretty much anyone. But I think that needs to be defined relative to body weight so dunno what numbers I'd go with.
Original post by SmashConcept
I love how you snuck in the coveted 1 plate curl.


Realistically its the only lift that matters. Starting strength should be rewritten
5x5 bench and curls every other day.
Original post by Angry cucumber

If you go into any non bodybuilding, strongman, powerlifting gym. I.e. 95% of gyms... 2/3/4 will be mired by the majority. At uni despite matching on one of 2/3/4 half the people in there think I'm on something as I'm "strong".

I got asked if I was professional on Thursday :ROFL: (for those not aware: 165S/80B/180D, not that strong)

Tbh I mire any bench over 130kg or so. Can think of just a handful of people who've hit 130kg in my gym, until recently 150kgx1 was the most I'd seen in person. We have one guy who does 5x3 at 150kg paused, but no one else comes close.


I feel like you'd have to take bodyweight/size into account in some way (the guy repping 150kg is almost certainly 105kg+ himself)
But for your average sized guy (like 5'10, properly filled out)... 200S/140B/230D? (230 just to pass 500lbs)


If I saw a 4'11, 60kg guy hitting a 160 squat though, I'd say that was pretty damn strong.

Original post by Motorbiker

I think I had 160/90/180 as my Powerlifting total two/ three years ago. Lol. (cba to check but that ratio roughly existed at some point)


Current me makes old you actually not look that bad haha
(edited 8 years ago)

Quick Reply

Latest