Went to the gym today for the first time, could only bench 40 lbs (20kg)...

Went to the gym today for the first time, could only bench 40 lbs (20kg). Did anybody else start out at such a low point?

My friend couldn't lift the smith machine bar unaided. Just the bar.

I turned around and it almost crushed him. I wish i had proof.

The only thing the Smith bar is gonna crush is that guy's confidence

40 pounds in addition to the bar? If so, yes. If not, doesn't matter. Just improve. Don't let yourself get caught up on your starting numbers. Just focus on how much you can improve safely (read the sticky).

If you're a beginner stick to low weights. Do your research on hypertrophy and strenght training.

Started with the bar
Now bench 2pl8 (100kg) for reps

My first bench was unironically me getting trapped under the bar for 20kg. Now I bench 1.5 pl8s for reps in my 5x5. You're gonna make it bro, don't worry, just focus on your form and soldier on

>My first bench was unironically me getting trapped under the bar for 20kg.
how is this possible? were you bed ridden for 10 years? pushing yourself up out of bed requires more strength than benching 20 kilos

not if u are 20kg

Wtf Rippetoe looks like that!????