How do you know how much to benchpress?!
Question: like the appropriate weight?
Answers: like the appropriate weight?
It depends what you are trying to do.
I am 190 lbs and can bench over 300, this is my plan usually:
185 lbs: Like 12 or 15 times to lube the joints. Always lube the joints, but dont waste too much energy doing this, save it for the lift. Wait 3 or 4 minutes.
200 lbs: 10 times, after I just stretch for like 3 or 4 minutes.
215: 10 times, after I strech for like 3 or 4 minutes.
225: 6 or 7 times, stop strecthing, wait 3 or 4 minutes.
245: 3 or 4 times, stop streching, wait 3 or 4 minutes.
265-275: 3 or 4 times if I can, put it up, try again or a few more times every 3 or 4 minutes.
If i feel like it and my chest aint blown out I do some lighter reps just for the heck of it, or I do a different heavy chest exercise.
On the days I max just do the first two reps, then go right to 300 lbs.
To answer your question: I always go for highest strength while maintaing lightest bodyweight. This usually means your ripped. Alot of kids at the gym though just throw light weight around, and produce no results. But hey, that might be their preference although I think they are just wasting their time. Not to mention they are always asking me for advice.
The appropiate weight is what your goal is. I told you my chest plan because it reflects my goals... So if your trying to get tough you can do what I do (using weight thats comfortable for you), or you can just exercise your chest enough to lift your own weight.
MINIMUM THOUGH: Kill that bird chest, bones showing is sort of funny looking. Girls like **** on guys too by the way :)
start at a very light weight, just the bar, do a rep or 2 and if thats way too easy then add 5 lbs to each side, try a rep or 2 if thats way too easy then just keep adding weights every one or 2 reps if its too easy, get someone to spot you while doing this
do 20lbs 10 times
at least be able to bench your wieght