r/workout•
JohnWickCandle

37F 225lb bench press needed somewhere to share success

Pretty much the title. I don't post much on reddit but sure browse it a lot. so I've hit some goals in the gym recently and just wanted somewhere to share and celebrate. I have hit the infamous two plates as a woman. Actually I'm more so proud of doing it in my late 30s. I'm 5'4 185lbs for reference.

anyway I'm rambling. my partner and I went to the gym a week and a half ago. I warmed up then wanted to test my 1rm. Moved 220 it felt easy so I did 225 before calling it quits. I'm 95% confident I could hit 235 today. I'm super pumped for myself but also don't fully know why lol. I don't compete, I don't follow any program, and hell I have never even tried protein powder before lol. This is all to say I know nothing about how to do this "right" I just have been trying stuff. My partner is a great support. He doesn't get weird about it or anything just motivates me. But didn't know who else to share with besides him so I'm here lol.

Not sure what my next goal is / should be? if anyone has any thoughts on that feel free. I think I'm going to focus on deadlift now. I just started deadlifting two months ago. I'm at 250 or so on that right now for few reps. Kind of slow rolling that but think I could be at 300 in another two months and then idk. I also want to get decent at pullups.

overhead press I tested today is 115 for one. Maybe 5lbs more if I didn't do it right after bench idk.

I bike a lot i.e. 4-5x a week. We're hoping to try for a kid in the next few months so honestly just trying to see what I can do before then.

anyway I have said a lot of stuff just to say , I'm proud of myself lol and wanted to share with a bunch of strangers. Oh. and if anyone is wondering - I'm assuming lots of pushups from being in the military is how I built the initial foundation. My first day benching reps I started at 135. Decided to test my bench potential the last 12 months and realized I both liked it and was good at it. I appreciate you guys reading.

Posted Feb 17, 2026, 3:14 AM UTC

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