You may think that a 315-lb bench press doesn’t amount to much. Let’s consider a few factors. First, Mike Brown is 68 years old. How many other 68-year-old men do you know who can bench press 315?
Second, Mike Brown does not—and has never—taken a steroid. As Doug Hepburn points out in his book, Strongman, if you take steroids you will normally add 30% to your lifts. E.g., if Mike Brown took steroids, he could conceivably bench press 409.5 pounds.
Third, as late as 1959 there were only 13 men in the world who could bench 400, according to the Bench Press book written by Bill Anton.
Fourth, as you can see by the video of the lift, Mike Brown probably could have done 325. Mike has two training partners (one is 20 and weighs 250 pounds and the other one is 33 and weighs 220 pounds). They both lift the same weights as Mike. Mike has trained more than one 400-lb. (steroid free) bencher.
Mike predicts that both these young men will bench over 400 before the end of the year. Anyone care to bet that Mike won’t bench over 400 himself at the age of 69 before this year is over?
