"gman99" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> Has anyone or is there information that would convert the weight on a
> hammerstrength flat bench to that of a free weight bench ??
>
> For example, if I bench 200lbs on a hammerstrength bench what would
> that be in free weight barbell bench ? I know, I could bring out the
> scale but there isn't one at the gym that's easily moved.
long answer:
Assuming you mean the machine thingy, and assuming that pushing 200lb on the
machine actually requires 200lb upwards force on the handles (which isn't
necessarily true).
There isn't really an answer. You might have enough tricep / pec strength to
push 200lbs up, but not enough strength in other muscles to keep the bar
from falling onto your stomach or over your head. In which case your max
bench would be <200lbs.
On the other hand, you might have developed the required stabilisers enough
from some other exercise, and then you would be able to bench 200lbs. But
having enough strength in the stabiliser muscles won't change what you do on
the machine where they're not needed, so there won't be some formula you can
use to compare.
It's also possible that you could actually bench more free weight than on
the machine, if your body doesn't like the path the machine forces you
through. I can't squat more than about 60kg in a smith machine, and even
then depth will be shite. I can squat 100kg to full depth with free weights,
because my back isn't being shoved into a painful position.
short answer:
Get a couple of mates to spot you and find out.
Peter