Interview With Powerlifter Robert Samsa
Interviewed By Ben Tatar of CriticalBench.com - January 2008

1) Critical Bench: Robert, tell us about yourself!

My name is Robert Samsa and I am from a small town in Ohio called Shadyside. I am part owner of a sawmill business and in the near future I am opening a furniture company.

2) Critical Bench: Nice! What is your height, weight, and age? What fed do you compete in and what are your best lifts?

I am 5'7, 205 lbs, 21 years old, 100% RAW, 605 lb Squat, 440 lb Bench, and a 595 lb Deadlift.

3) Critical Bench: Great numbers! We want to know how you do it. Mind sharing your bench, squat, and deadlift routine?

Monday

Bench Press: 4x4, 1, 1, 1
Incline Dumbbell Press: 3x8
Wide Flies: 3x8
Cable Crossovers: 4x8 (2 different angles)
Pushups: 2 sets to failure

Wednesday

Squats: 4x4, 1, 1, 1
Leg Curls: 3x8
Leg Ext.: 3x8
Lunges: 3x8
Calves: 4x15

Friday

Deadlift: 4x4, 1, 1, 1
(Circuit Training, 3 sets of 8 reps)
Straight Leg Deadlifts
Bent over Barbell Rows
Low Rows (close grip)
Pull Ups
Reverse Hyper

4) Critical Bench: Thanks for sharing your informative training routine with us! What are your future goals?

My goal is to be the strongest pound for pound lifter in all the Raw federations.

5) Critical Bench: You are definitely are a force to be reckoned with in the RAW division! If you had to pick one, what has been your favorite powerlifting experience so far?

I would have to say winning the best lifter award at the 2007 100% RAW Nationals.

6) Critical Bench: What do you think the RAW and shirt bench record will be in the next 10 years?

Between the genetic freaks out there, technology, etc. there's no telling what it's going to be.

7) Critical Bench: You're right, powerlifting, is the sport where the main objective is to make impossible, possible! Robert, give us your 10 biggest tips for a bigger bench so more people can start pushing the envelope when building a bigger bench like you have!

1. Start by perfecting your form.

2. Bench heavy using low reps once a week

3. Incorporate a speed day for bench

4. Board Presses

5. Pound the triceps

6. Perform your bench sets with a pause

7. Floor Presses

8. Close Grip Bench

9. Train the Lats

10. Most importantly always train with intensity.

8) Critical Bench: Great tips! Are there any tips that you feel must be avoided when going after a bigger bench?

I feel people tend to over train a lot, because they feel the more you do it the stronger your bench will be, which isn't the case.

9) Critical Bench: What goes through your mind before crushing a big weight? Do you get really crazy in the head?

The thoughts that go through my head are pretty crazy. The thing is no matter how much weight I lift I always feel I can do more.

10) Critical Bench: Well, keep benching more and making more headlines in the powerlifting world. Robert, it's been an honor. In closing are there any mentors or anyone who you would like to thank?

I would like to thank my high school wrestling coach for getting me started in lifting and seeing the potential I had. I also would like to thank Shawn Lyte and BMF Sports.