I think how much you can lift is a bit over-rated. Most people think its a way to measure eliteness, i totally disagree.

My PT told me in the early days... Its not about how much you can lift, rather your technique. At the end of the day its your overall physique that shows your results. You can be 5'10, with a 40" waist, weigh 300lbs and bench 400. doesnt make you good.

and for the record, I can just about incline 220lbs for about 8 reps, and flat probably just above that.

I usually don't answer those kind of questions in a publc forum, mainly because if claims start to appear exaggerated no one can confirm what the other is saying. For example, I could say I bench 200 lbs, 300 lbs, or 400 lbs...and who would really know if I'm lying or not? I would hope most would believe I can bench over 200 lbs, but I'm sure 400 lbs would appear like a lie lol, but if I put a shirtless pic of myself where I'm pumped and flexing the inexperienced people might believe I'm around a 400 lb max if I told them, even though I'm well under that. Then there's also the issue of what form you're using. I've seen people smaller than me claim heavier poundages than I can lift and when I see them in the gym I realize they are doing half reps and even still having their spotter help them from rep one. If one really wants to prove something they can show pictures of themself lifting a certain weight. While reviewing the responses to this thread, some claims are believable while others are not...although I won't mention the names so as not to start a confrontation :)

Wow, some of you guys are really into this. Zoobs, mashallah, you must have some really good genetics, getting past the 270 pound mark. You're right genetics is a factor sometimes. For tall, lanky folks, it's a bit harder to put on mass. I've struggled to put on mass over the years. At near 6'1" I think 200 to 210 range would be ideal to aim for. Zoobs, you've got youth on side, and your strength will only increase as you reach your mid to late 20's. Keep at it, and one day you'll go pro.

Wow,

You guys are freaking huge,

all i'm up to is...
Flat bench 100lb db's
bi's 135 barbell
squats 415lb
shoulder press 60 lbs
pull-ups 3 sets of 12

i'm workin more on pullups, my shoulders are bad so i don't push em as much, legs are pretty strong, is it just me or for the leg press machine, with the 45 degree angles sled that your push upwards with your feet, you can just add a lot of weight on it. Thats one machine where I don't know where to stop increasing the weight on it, i got up to about 1080 lbs on it plus whatever the sled weighs, thats 12-45lb plates on each side. Any rec's on that machine?

how many pullups does a typical body builder do?

Z0obs, dude, I remember your old pics. You're a GIANT, maa shaa' Allaah. Still, even to be totally huge 278lbs is a lot. I looked up some stats of pro bodybuilders and noticed that guys like Nasser el-Sonbaty who is 5'11 is 330lbs off season and close to your weight while competing. So weight wise your similar to that range. This means you have some very good genetics, bro. At your young age you really need to take advantage of it and consider going semi-pro and competing. I wish I had size like that when I was your age (my budda-ness talking lol).

Z0obs 278lbs @ 5'9??? Where's it coming from? Dude, I'm 5'11 at 215 and I've got some size on me. Is it because of skeletal density or do you have monstrous legs or something? Even a pro bodybuilder at 5'9 doesn't weigh much over 230lbs. Javier Datiz is 5'9 and weighs 221 and that dude is a monster.

Sometimes heavy bones can make a difference. I've got a friend who is also 5'9, not particularly fat, doesn't lift at all and he's like 210 but its because he has a really heavy bone structure. What would suck about that is that you'd be forced to compete in a much heavier weight class with most of your weight coming from bones rather than LBM.

so I will try to go into serious mode now..
didnt realize that about the bench press.. I dont do stuff for how I look at all, I just want to increase my strength (be a non wimp), health type stuff. I also like it to reinforce my techniques in other sports.
should I still get your book even though I dont care about a six pack : )

I totally agree--the bench press is overrated and a total vanity exercise--that exercise messed up my shoulders so bad from my competitive powerlifitng days that I haven't been able to do it for 7 years. it's funny, everytime someone sees me they ask "dude, how much do you bench" --I'm like ahh not much...but I'll go toe to toe with anyone on deadlifts and squats!! I remember the young days always getting caught up in weight---the one day I decided to stop worrying about the weight I lift, that is the day I truly started growing....
I also concur that dumbells rock and those are good estimates. You have to get out of the notion of pre-set mental limits and NOT worry about weight--it is a good gauge to judge improvement but use the mirror instead. I would rather look like I can bench 400 then actually be able to do it and look like I can't. You have to push yourself to do more and more no matter what. So much of the game is mental.

I train with like 7-10 muslim guys and we always keep adding more and more weights. We've bent several bars and broke the 150lb dumbells on chest day this past week. I wish all of you could come see us train one day. We have to go to a 'dungeon like" gym since we almost got thrown out of 24 hr fitness when we were doing 800 lb shrugs and screaming Allahuakbar!!!! Muslims should be the strongest--physically, mentally, and spiritually...If my joints can stay together we will achieve that goal inshallah!!!

Haha. Sorry, I meant YEAH! );

they wouldnt let me enter competitions because of my wimpy shoulders : (
..and yeah ill show you what british pounds are

Hahahahaha.

Aurangzeb strive to bench double your body weight. However, the bench press is more of a vanity exercise than anything to get your confidence up. The real exercise to make your pecs explode are dumb bell presses. If your pushing up 85's-100's in each hand then you're doing above average. If you're pushing 70's in each and then you're doing good. 50's is average.

..and Kulsoom he meant lbs as in weight...not how much you spent in British currency to buy each piece of equipment :P~

It's true you guys, I saw it when I was lifting my 5 lb dumbells and dying.

yay let me tell you what I do. AHEM:
flat bench (dumbells or barbell) --- 500 lbs x10
bicep curls - 100 lbs each arm X 9
squats - 800lbs - 10
shoulder press - 5lbs X 3
pull-ups - 40