one rep max calculator question

[Weak Old Fart]

I have a problem with trying to calculate what my feeble one rep max on the Bench Press should be. I can do 12 reps with 170 pounds, but only 5 reps with 185. One calculator I tried said based on my 170 X 12 I should be around 238 for a one rep max, but the same calculator said I should be about 210 based on my 185 X 5. I've actually done 205 and felt like 210 was possible, but 238 no way. Am I just suited to high reps or are these calculators just too generic?

[Sparky]

It may be that the way you workout is training endurance oriented muscles rather than the power muscles required to push heavy weight. You probably need to consider cycling between high rep workouts and low rep power oriented workouts.

You also have to ask yourself why you care about your 1 rep max. If it is for workout planning, than that's great. If it is just curiosity or bragging rights, don't bother.

I used to be fixated on what I could do on bench press. I liked to do my 1 RM every once in a while to see where I was. I found that doing so was a great way to get hurt. Last time it took my 6 months to fully recover (somehow I dorked up my left shoulder).

Spark

[Weak Old Fart]

Sparky-
I care only as a comparison to gauge myself relative to others and my past, avoiding shoulder injuries is why I'd like to use a calculator instead of really trying attempting it.

I've been stuck at pretty close to this weight at 12 reps for a couple of years, but my target reps were always twelve, also in the hopes of avoiding joint injuries. I recently decided to cut that in half and I did my first workout targeting sets of 6 reps. I thought 185 would be an easy goal for me to do a few sets of 6 reps, but I only got 5 on the first set. I'm going to try the lower reps for a few months to see how I progress.
Thanks.

[Syn]

I'm confused.

What is your goal? Oh, and welcome to the board.

[Weak Old Fart]

I'm confused.

What is your goal? Oh, and welcome to the board.

Thanks for the welcome.

My goal is to get stronger/bigger, if I can. I was curious if I had some condition that allowed me to lift weight better for higher reps than the average person these one rep max calculator programs are designed for. They don't seem to work for me, they always say I should be able to max out a much higher weight than I can actually do. Either that or maybe I just get pyched out by the heavier weight and wuss out.

[Syn]

I've found myself getting pyched out when KR puts extra weight on & says "go on". I stand there looking at him like he has 2 heads. But 1/2 the time I suprise myself.

Try adding 10 lbs....if you can do 12 reps, add 10 more. And so on. But don't do more than 3 - 4 heavy sets at a time.

Anyone else have an idea?