I lift weights two times a week; as a result, I’ve progressed from pathetically weak to just merely weak.

My primary motivation is to strengthen my legs for cycling, but I do dabble with the bench press, doing 25 reps of 135 pounds in 3-5 rep sets. See, I told you.

Earlier this week another grey hair dude, who I estimated to be very close to my age, also put two 45 pound weights on the 45 pound bar. Because I’m a pea-brained male, I thought to myself, “I wonder how many he can do at 135 pounds?” Granted, he had actual muscles and was probably 30-40 pounds heavier than me, so I wasn’t too surprised when he quickly ripped off a set of 8.

Then he got up and stretched his shoulders on a nearby machine. Next, he added 45 pound weights on each side, and like a NFL rookie at the draft combine, ripped off more reps at 225 pounds.

Then he got up and stretched his shoulders on a nearby machine. Next, he added 25 pound weights on each side and ripped off more reps at 275.

Then he got up and stretched his shoulders on a nearby machine. Next, he added 10 pound weights on each side and ripped off a few reps at 295.

Figuring I’d be very little help, he didn’t even bother to ask me to spot him.