What's your bench?

What's your bench? How many times have we heard this question? In my
opinion, far too many. I admit, my bench is horrible;
this however, is not the reason I hate the question. I come from a sport
where bench is not used as a determiner of overall body
strength. Squat, deadlift, stone lift, truck pull, front carry and a myriad
of other full body movements are used (in strongman) to determine
overall strength.

Bench and bi's however are the glamour movement made famous by oiled up
bikini brief wearing body builders. The time when Paul Anderson
strict pressed over 400 pounds overhead are a by gone era now. Now it's all
about mashing into as many ply gear as we can and claiming
our bench is 500 plus pounds, (some in excess of 900lbs).

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy benching, but aside from making my chest look
nice, it's useless. It's like curling. I look good doing it, but chances
are slim in the real world you will see me benching a washing machine. Chances are
good however that I will need to pick one up and carry it. This is an easy
task for anyone with a strong back and legs.

I find it funny when men built like a marshmallows supported by toothpicks
can bench twice their body weight but cant even come close to a full back
squat at body weight without whining that it hurts or it's hard. Sure, it's great
that you can bench press a bus, but you can't pick up and move your fridge
without asking for your wife's help.

I have found that replying to the "what can you bench" question with, " I
don't bench, but I can pick up your car" much more effective then
explaining myself. So next time, before you ask someone the same old redundant question about bench, maybe take a look at the person....are his legs as skinny as a
sparrow's with full blown aids? Then who cares what he can bench, because
overall, he is weak.

Stand up, put some weight on your back and squat and next time ask, "hey,
how much can you squat?"