I can bench press 420 pounds on a selectorized bench press machine at my health club. So, how much?

Question

How much would that equate to in free weights? There's never anyone working out at the same time I do, so I can't find out for myself with free weights, because there's no one to spot me. It would be too dangerous to try a heavy lift all alone. The machine is an expensive, well built bench press machine with a stack of iron plates that goes up to 400 pounds. I can rep this 3 times, so I added a 20 pound dumbell to the stack to make it 420, and I did it once. My guess is that this would equal about 325 in free weights. Your thoughts?

Hey Drummer. Thanks for the answer. This machine really does go up to 400. It's a heavy duty piece of equipment. I looked it up on the internet once, and I think it was about $3500. I wish I could remember the brand name.

AHA! I remember now... it's made by "Body Master."

Answer 1

I'm a personal trainer with Gold's Gym. I'm having trouble believing you on this, bro, because I've never seen a bench machine go up to 400 lbs before. Usually they don't go above 250. But I don't want to call you a liar. So, the rule of thumb on those machines is that in true strength equivelancy, they are about 2/3 that of free weights. Thus: if you are indeed benching 420, you should be able to do about 275-280 with free weights. I know the 2/3 rule sounds low, but you'd be amazed how much difference it makes when you don't have to balance the weights, and can just explode into the handles.

Answer 2

Incredible hulk