My Impressions of Some OL Prospects at the NFL Combine

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

I'm not trying to take down anyone, but after about a year of working out (I'm fairly athletically inclined/strong) I was able to hit as many/more 225 reps as some of these guys (I would warmup on bench with 225 for 10-12 reps before moving onto actual sets, 225 i could do 25-30 times). Granted that was a few years ago when I was 22, that puts me right where they were. I was 210 though, at much lower bodyfat.

Is that an endurance thing or do they just not have a lot of strength due to not training because of their size?

That varies from individual to individual. Each player has strengths and weaknesses. Just think some athletes run fast and can't lift strong on the bench or vise versa, some have it all or at least most. Most of these kids are still developing or getting ready to properly develop most muscle groups to a new level.

From what I've seen and dealt with in my own training regimen. Bench press is often (for even a lot of athletes) not the easiest lift to perfect unless training constantly on the bench and/or having a great lifting coach to work with. So many factors come into play with bench press lifting arm length, short or long. Shorter arms can be a huge benefit when bench press training, do to stroke length.

In the gym I train at now I have one of our Skins current WR's training and a Pro-Bowler from the Colts. And it's interesting to watch there workout, great program's, elite athletes. But from a first hand account bench press is not a strong point for either.

Just a side note:The flip side which is way cool. My youngest son which just turned 19, 5'7" 130lbs...football, wrestling background. Can put the smack down on 225 on the bench, and put out the sets and the reps....maxing at 250.