Question regarding Bench press reps???

[Ohiophinphan]

Like many of you I was concerned when I read that Manuel Wright only did 16 reps at 225lbs. But then I got to checking my draft books and noted a number of outstanding players have had low numbers in the past and it was often stated that guys with long arms have trouble with this drill. Given Wright's earlier, announced weight lifting prowess could this be an issue here? Also for some of you guys with better understanding of the dynamics of the lifting.....what is the trouble for long armed fellows?

 

[inFINSible]

...what is the trouble for long armed fellows?

The shortest distance from point A to point B is a straight line. Shorter arms=shorter straight line. :)

 

[DoctorFeelgood]

If you have longer arms, you are at a mechanical disadvantage when doing the bench-press. It involves the angles of joints and leverage, etc., blah. A kinesiologist could explain it in detail, but that's the gist of it.

Additionally, the fact that somebody only did 16 reps with 225 might or might not have a darn thing to do with their football ability. Testing how many reps somebody can do with a given weight is a test of muscular endurance, not peak strength. Somebody who trains like a powerlifter might have a 500+ lb bench-press, but a low # of reps at 225, because the training to increase peak strength and the training to increase endurance are orthogonal.

All in all, I wouldn't worry about it too much. 16 reps does sound a little low for a DT, but it's just one variable. You really can't read too much into that.

 

[dolphan98]

I'm not all that concerned. On a guy built like Wright, strength and size are pretty easy to add. The 4.97 40 was pretty impressive.

 

[HysterikiLL]

I'm not at all worried by this. His power-lift, power-clean weights were solid. The combine/workouts are a constant basis for overreactions and over emotional states of mind. I'm more worried about the reports of his laziness in work ethic.

 

[finjim123]

Can you belive we are worried about a guy ONLY doing 225/16 times. You try it with long arms. My back side would be my front side real quick.

 

[Duss]

Pretty simple longer arms longer distance to travel to make a rep...

16 is Still lower from what you like from your DT'S

I weight only 186 pounds and I can make 18-20 reps on 225 I have really short arms

 

[Drfletcherdc]

You would think that he would have spent a little more time in the weight room training for endurance.

 

[DolfanISS]

HMMM. I thought longer arms were better for bench press becuase the muscle was further away from the weight meaning more torque could be used to press it. Although I've seen this debate on many bodybuilding sites and there seems like there is no clear cut answer as to who has an advantage. I will visit bodybuilding.com and do a search to see if my memory can be refreshed.

 

[Joneal7]

he runs a 4.9 and he weighs like 330? hmmm

 

[Zeke0123]

HMMM. I thought longer arms were better for bench press becuase the muscle was further away from the weight meaning more torque could be used to press it. Although I've seen this debate on many bodybuilding sites and there seems like there is no clear cut answer as to who has an advantage. I will visit bodybuilding.com and do a search to see if my memory can be refreshed.

no it means you need more torque to move it.

 

[DolfanISS]

no it means you need more torque to move it.

I could be wrong, it was a long time ago when I read the article. I posted the question on bodybuilding.com. i haven'e been there for awhile but I just started working out again after 2 1/2 months off.

 

[Zeke0123]

People make the mistake of thinking longer lever = easier and this is always true when the length is being added to the working side but in the case of the levers that we use in the human body (arms etc) the length is being added to the Load side making lifting weight more difficult.

 

[DolfanISS]

People make the mistake of thinking longer lever = easier and this is always true when the length is being added to the working side but in the case of the levers that we use in the human body (arms etc) the length is being added to the Load side making lifting weight more difficult.

Yeah I got you. My mistake.

 

[KB21]

The Bench Press is the most overrated lift there is when testing functional football strength. How many football players do you see on the field with their arms extended at a 90 degree angle from their torso? You don't see it much at all.

A true max on the bench gives you a good indication of upper body strength, and a true max isn't really a one rep max either.

The best indicator of functional football strength is the power clean lift. That's a lift that tests your explosion and your ability to transfer your momentum from the lower body to the upper body.