Josh Elbaz MTL

Back in February, 2 separate videos came out with the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth benching 315.

People who don't like the guy will say that the weights are fake.

I think those are legit weights and legit lifts:

- bar speed suggests it's a max lift and slows down at most people's sticking point (especially with the slightly narrow grip that he's using);
- he uses leg drive and the hips come up slightly (in the video with soldiers) as the effort is maximal;
- he screams at the kid "don"t touch it!!" (I would have, if had hands in my face);
- none of the soldiers came forward to the press afterwards saying it was fake

What do you think? Real weights or fake weights?

https://x.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2024524899163812039

https://x.com/GrahamAllen/status/2025943577470386601

Mark Rippetoe

Looks like 315 to me. Not astonishingly impressive, but maybe the first SecDef to do it while in office.

Martin Shenfield

I'll believe him if he can squat 315 too. I don't think he can do either.

Mark Rippetoe

You think the 315 bench is fake? Why? You think a man his age can't get to a 315 bench?

Jason Donaldson

If he's using fake plates in these videos, he's doing a remarkable job of faking hard reps, especially the one with just him and the single other person.

I suppose a mix of real and fake plates could also produce such an actual grind at a lower weight, but a 45-year old physically active man benching a grinding single at three plates is not beyond reasonable.

Martin Shenfield

I think a man his age can get to a 315 bench. I just don't think he has... Yes I think his bench is fake. I don't think all of the plates are, probably just the middle ones, or lighter than 45lbs. He wouldn't be the first influencer to do this.

Having watched the one with the military and this I don't see him legitimately lifting this but I guess if he spent all his time benching and doing nothing else like most gymbros then this is possible.

novicejay

You once told me on this forum that a very strong deadlift will give you all the explosiveness you need to jerk people around on a judo mat.

I'm curious about hand speed now. Hand speed is crucial in judo to get your hands on your opponent without being blocked and to grab your opponent's sleeve before they grab yours. It is also important to be able to block your opponent from grabbing you. We have drills we do for this because there are sequences that must be done so often they become similar to breathing, i.e., deliberate practice. Doing this many reps certainly increases your speed and ability to catch your opponent's sleeve and block, etc.

But, I was wondering if hand speed be increased more? If it can be increased, what would increase our hand speed?

I've searched but I've been unable to find any scientific study on this.

Mark Rippetoe

I did not tell you that the deadlift will increase your explosiveness. Your strength, obviously, but explosiveness is barely trainable, as I have discussed many many many many times. Hand speed is the same way.

Jovan Dragisic

You must be among the world’s most mis-cited people. In ten years, you will probably have people on the board with questions like “Coach, I know you said we should wear a mask when lifting, but I was wondering...”