In the gym, confidence can lift spirits, but it can’t always help you lift a weight that’s too heavy for you.

When a friend overestimates his bench-pressing abilities, he learned that sometimes the only thing heavier than the barbell is an outsized ego!

Read on for this wholesome story!

My buddy did not need a spotter for his bench press attempt

When I was working at the gym many years ago, a friend of mine came in to work out.

It was a slow time of the day, so very few people were working out and the gym was a small one.

The area was split in two parts, divided by a fairly large U-shaped bar. One quarter was filled with a few benches, dumbbells and barbells, and the other area was filled with machines.

This friend is always about pushing his limits.

My buddy was a really nice guy, but tended to overestimate his abilities.

Recently, he surpassed the magic milestone of a 100 kg bench press and his plan for this day was to repeat this.

So the friend tried to step in, but he didn’t want the help.

I am very aware of his abilities and asked him if he wanted me to spot him during his bench press.

It’s always recommended to use a spotter when bench pressing with weights nearing your maximum.

He said: “No, I feel really strong today, so I don’t need a spotter.”

He insisted again, but the friend declined once more.

I asked: ”Are you sure?”

“Nope, I really can do this so I don’t need your help for this.”

I offered to spot one more time but, he was very sure he could do it without me spotting him, so I went to the other side of the bar area and just waited.

Soon, though, it became clear the heavy-lifter needed the help.

It did not take long and I heard some groaning and puffing and eventually he shouted my name, asking to help him.

So, like the good friend that I am, I hurried to the other side of the bar where I found him with the barbell on his chest, very helpless.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t to have a good chuckle about it.

I laughed for about 10 seconds and then I removed the barbell from his chest.

We had a good laugh together after this and he never learned.

Pride really does come before the fall.

What did Reddit think?

All jokes aside, things could have ended a lot worse for the heavy lifter.

This user offers another pro-tip for the gym-goers.

This commenter wouldn’t even bother messing with weights that heavy to begin with.

This friend learned a valuable lesson about asking for help when he needs it.

In the end, his friend’s confidence turned out to be heavier than he could handle!

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.