when a person says they can bench so and so amount of weight is this the amount of weight they can do in 1 full repitition or the amount in a complete set like say 8-12 reps?

Most people mean 1 rep max (because it sounds more impressive.) :D But I suppose it depends on who you talk to.

Most people mean 1 rep max (because it sounds more impressive.) :D But I suppose it depends on who you talk to.

thanks guess i will use the 1 rep version then!

I think most people mean it as the heaviest they can lift for one rep. This is completely different to the weight you can lift for 12 reps. I have never tested my one rep max as to me it serves no purpose other than boasting - except in competition weight lifting.

I go by a 4 rep max. when someone gives a one rep max it really isn't a demonstration of how strong they are, it's a demonstration of how good they are at cheating up a weight (99% of the time). With 4 reps you're under control and are using proper form so it's an actual demonstration of how much you can officially bench press.

talk to ya later

It means their one rep max. It's a useless number, i haven't tested my 1 rep max in about 10 years.