# Fictional Bench Presses **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 20, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106 "2009-08-20T18:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/1 "2009-08-20T18:30:11Z")
In _Good Will Hunting_, Sean (Robin Williams) says his bench press is 285. In _Unbreakable_, David (Bruce Willis) bench presses “about 350 pounds.” It’s not clear if he could have done more or if he simply ran out of weights. Any others? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/2 "2009-08-20T18:35:06Z")
Hah, these are exactly the two I thought of when I saw the thread title. I always thought Robin Williams’ number was a little high for Robin Williams, and Bruce Willis’ number was a little low for a superhero. I know he wasn’t supposed to be the Hulk or anything but it would’ve been cool to see him do 600+, which would’ve been truly superhuman for an average-sized guy who never worked out. My brother did over 300 the first time he ever laid on a bench, so 350 doesn’t seem like much of a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/3 "2009-08-20T18:36:23Z")
Searching IMDb’s quotes provides these: Glen Quagmire (_Family Guy_, episode not given): “I can bench press 800 pounds.” Buck Laughlin (_Best in Show_): “315 pounds, at the top of my game, maxing out at 500!” Harry (_Creepshow_): “I can bench-press three hundred pounds” ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/4 "2009-08-20T18:47:49Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Hah, these are exactly the two I thought of when I saw the thread title. > > I always thought Robin Williams’ number was a little high for Robin Williams, and Bruce Willis’ number was a little low for a superhero. I know he wasn’t supposed to be the Hulk or anything but it would’ve been cool to see him do 600+, which would’ve been truly superhuman for an average-sized guy who never worked out. My brother did over 300 the first time he ever laid on a bench, so 350 doesn’t seem like much of a stretch. I agree, I remembered it being higher and was surprised it was just 350 when I rewatched it recently. 350 sort of fit with where they were at in the movie, though. If I remember right, David is just checking out the extent of his powers and hasn’t quite accepted Elijah’s story yet; 350 pounds is pro athlete high but not suspiciously high, so Elijah’s story still might be BS - he might just be a strong ex-football player. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/5 "2009-08-20T18:48:50Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Searching IMDb’s quotes provides these: > > Glen Quagmire (_Family Guy_, episode not given): “I can bench press 800 pounds.” > Buck Laughlin (_Best in Show_): “315 pounds, at the top of my game, maxing out at 500!” > Harry (_Creepshow_): “I can bench-press three hundred pounds” Good, very good. Anybody got any others? Comic books count. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/6 "2009-08-20T18:50:30Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > I agree, I remembered it being higher and was surprised it was just 350 when I rewatched it recently. 350 sort of fit with where they were at in the movie, though. If I remember right, David is just checking out the extent of his powers and hasn’t quite accepted Elijah’s story yet; 350 pounds is pro athlete high but not suspiciously high, so Elijah’s story still might be BS - he might just be a strong ex-football player. That’s kind of how I read it too. 350 is high, but not out of the range of possibilities… Robin Williams benching 285 is absurd, BTW… ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/7 "2009-08-20T19:02:11Z")
Frank Rizzo of the Jerky Boys: “Lemme tell you something pal, I’m benching at least 350, no problem!” ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/8 "2009-08-20T19:07:05Z")
The DVD release of Unbreakable includes a previously cut scene where David goes into the weight room at the stadium where he works. He proceeds to load up around 500 pounds and press it. When he gets up, all of the athletes in the room are staring. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/9 "2009-08-20T19:52:54Z")
In _Matadora_, Dirisha estimates that the character Bork is bench pressing between 300-320 kilograms ( 600-704 pounds ). He’s genetically engineered though. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/10 "2009-08-20T20:06:26Z")
Captain America benched 1100, IIRC. In _The Official History of the Marvel Universe_, the standard measurement is how much the character can lift (press). I assume this to be a “two hands anyhow” lift. Typically, the world record in the Two Hands Clean and Jerk is 10-15% lower than the bench press record (assuming no bench shirts and such). I.e. back when the C&J record was 586, Ted Arcidi benched 705. So in each case, the character can typically bench at least as much as he/she/it can lift overhead. They consider anything over 800 lbs. to be superhuman. Thor, the enraged Hulk, and various other characters possess Class 100 strength - they can lift (press) more than 100 tons. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/11 "2009-08-20T20:16:16Z")
Does Martin Short’s character Uncle Jack in “Arrested Development” make any claims? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/12 "2009-08-20T20:19:03Z")
[slight hijack] That scene in \*Unbreakable \*was really driving me crazy. First of all, the bench itself looked really rickety. I was nervous that the combined weight of the bar plus Bruce laying on it was just going to make it collapse and Willis would have his skull crushed. (Yes, I know it was just a movie. It bothered me anyway.) Secondly, the kid taped the handles of the paint cans to the underneath of the bar- any normal person would have hung the cans from the bar by the wire loop, then taped them in place so they wouldn’t slide off. But the weight of each can was essentially hanging by a loop of duct tape. Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh! [/slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/13 "2009-08-20T22:09:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Captain America benched 1100, IIRC. > … > They consider anything over 800 lbs. to be superhuman. I thought the official stance was that the Captain was at the maximum non-super level in every attribute: I.e., he’s as strong as the strongest non-super human, he’s as smart as the smartest non-super, etc. EDIT: Are there any canonical examples of _low_ bench presses? Like, some nerdy character who can only bench the 40 pound bar, say? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/14 "2009-08-20T22:41:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I thought the official stance was that the Captain was at the maximum non-super level in every attribute: I.e., he’s as strong as the strongest non-super human, he’s as smart as the smartest non-super, etc. No, that’s the stance on several characters, but Cap took the Super Soldier Serum. He is preternaturally strong, though not to anywhere near the extent of a Hulk or Thing. Spider-Man can bench 10 tons IIRC. > [@Chronos](#): > > EDIT: Are there any canonical examples of _low_ bench presses? Like, some nerdy character who can only bench the 40 pound bar, say? I seem to recall an episode of Beavis and Butthead where they couldn’t bench the bar. ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/15 "2009-08-21T13:02:50Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > Robin Williams benching 285 is absurd, BTW… I’ve always thought that Williams’s role was meant for someone a lot bigger and more grizzled. Even without the bench press claim, Robin Williams does _not_ look or sound like a Southie Vietnam vet who can manhandle Matt Damon’s out of control blue collar worker character. I’m thinking Harvey Keitel could have pulled it off. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/16 "2009-08-21T16:21:35Z")
I don’t have the books anymore, but I seem to recall in Richard Marcinko’s SEAL series of books that he claimed to be doing 150 reps of like 300+ lbs. ---
**Author:** ![HeavyDuty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@HeavyDuty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeavyDuty)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/17 "2009-08-21T16:52:51Z")
> [@Linty\_Fresh](#): > > I’ve always thought that Williams’s role was meant for someone a lot bigger and more grizzled. Even without the bench press claim, Robin Williams does _not_ look or sound like a Southie Vietnam vet who can manhandle Matt Damon’s out of control blue collar worker character. I’m thinking Harvey Keitel could have pulled it off. I actually thought he was just saying that as a lie to try to subdue Matt Damon. I thought he was just exaggerating in order to try to prove himself to Damon and get his respect. ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/18 "2009-08-21T17:08:20Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I thought the official stance was that the Captain was at the maximum non-super level in every attribute: I.e., he’s as strong as the strongest non-super human, he’s as smart as the smartest non-super, etc. > EDIT: Are there any canonical examples of _low_ bench presses? Like, some nerdy character who can only bench the 40 pound bar, say? SpongeBob can bench a bar with a stuffed animal tied on to each end…with difficulty. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/19 "2009-08-21T18:26:37Z")
I don’t remember exactly how the exchange went, but a 1-3 rep set at 285 is not at all out of the realm of believability for a guy the size of Robin Williams. I’d have a little more trouble believing that he could get 285 up 12 times in three sets, but just pressing that weight on his “heavy day”? Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106/20 "2009-08-21T18:35:01Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I don’t remember exactly how the exchange went, but a 1-3 rep set at 285 is not at all out of the realm of believability for a guy the size of Robin Williams. I’d have a little more trouble believing that he could get 285 up 12 times in three sets, but just pressing that weight on his “heavy day”? Sure. It’s not “no fucking way.” It’s more like :dubious:. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-bench-presses/507106.md?page=2)