Chapter 80: The Three Lifts Measurement Results
His recent bench press personal record was 70kg.
First, he added 5kg and tried to lift it.
"Hngh!"
Snap.
The barbell rose without much difficulty, contrary to expectations.
Seeing that, Baek Gang Ho nodded and spoke.
"Let's add another 10kg."
"Huh? Aren't you increasing too suddenly?"
"Looking at how you're lifting, you can definitely do it. I'll spot you properly so don't worry."
"Sure."
Baek Gang Ho's judgment was accurate.
As he squeezed out every ounce of strength to his limit, his arms trembled slightly, yet he managed to lift the bar.
Clang!
Seo Juhwan set down the bar and released his held breath.
"Whew! Wow. I can actually do this?"
"I told you so. Hmm. Even I'm surprised watching you do it. Even for a beginner, is the progression really this fast? You're naturally talented."
"Heh heh. Thanks for the compliment."
"Don't laugh like that, man. By the way, your back is underdeveloped. Next, let's try deadlift."
"Sure!"
True to Baek Gang Ho's words, his deadlift numbers were lower than his bench press. He lifted 85kg on bench press, but could only manage 120kg on deadlift. Generally, deadlift should be about 50-60kg higher than bench press, so his back was definitely underdeveloped.
Finally, squats.
Before grabbing the bar, Seo Juhwan stretched his muscles for a moment.
While stretching like that, several gazes from around the gym were suddenly directed at him. They were interested eyes watching the three-lift measurement.
Of course, it wasn't a "that's impressive" kind of look but more like watching a beginner workout. Lim Soo-hee had also come over to watch.
Since a beautiful woman like Lim Soo-hee was watching, he felt strength entering his body for some reason.
Men focus on lower body!
Seo Juhwan grabbed the bar and started squatting.
"Hup!"
Snap!
120kg was lifted in one go.
He did it more easily than expected.
It seemed to surprise Baek Gang Ho a bit as well.
"Juhwan, your lower body is better than I thought? Let's add 10kg more."
He added weight and sat back down again.
"Hmph!"
His center was stable and he had more strength remaining than expected.
Without missing this, Baek Gang Ho added another 10kg.
"If your form starts to break, I'll support you from behind so don't worry. Come on, squat!"
He grabbed the barbell and opened his chest.
Tightening his glutes and maintaining core tension, he descended.
"Hngh!"
He maintained intra-abdominal pressure while carrying 140kg of weight. Then he pushed with force and rose back up!
"Hnnnngh!"
Trembling.
"Grrgh!"
Snap!
Finally, Seo Juhwan barely succeeds.
Clang!
He quickly set the bar on the safety rack and exhaled his held breath roughly.
"Ugh. Dizzy."
Blood rushed to his head momentarily, making everything spin.
"You're amazing, Juhwan. Look at those thighs. Here, drink some water."
Lim Soo-hee, who approached, patted his thigh and handed him water.
"Oh, thanks, sis."
"You're really incredible. You're already increasing the weight like this?"
Lim Soo-hee's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Good work, Juhwan."
Turning around, Baek Gang Ho was smiling broadly and giving him a thumbs up. Seo Juhwan returned the thumbs up.
"Thank you."
I'll only trust you with my lifting from now on, brother.
*
When Seo Juhwan was about to head home after working out,
Lim Soo-hee spoke up.
"Juhwan, want to grab a drink this evening?"
"Huh? You want to drink alcohol?"
Seo Juhwan asked back with a confused expression.
As far as he knew, Lim Soo-hee was very careful about her health and didn't drink or smoke.
"Sister, don't you usually not drink?"
"Oh my. I like alcohol. I just choose not to drink normally."
"But why today?"
"Hehe. I take a day and only drink then. Today is the Anyang branch gathering."
That makes it even stranger. If he went with the staff, wouldn't it look odd for him to join?
Would even frequent members attend?
Seo Juhwan still asked with some doubt.
"Are you going with the staff?"
"No. With members who come frequently. Staff attendance is optional."
"Ah."
Seo Juhwan finally understood and nodded.
Some gyms apparently hold separate gatherings for people who get along—Ribbon Fitness must be like that.
'I've only been here less than two months, but thanks.'
He'd only been coming to Ribbon Fitness for less than two months. The Anyang branch for about a month.
Seo Juhwan discreetly opened Lim Soo-hee's status window and checked her current desire level and favorability.
Current Desire Level: B
Favorability: C+
Her favorability had already reached C+ at some point.
Had dropping the formal speech been effective?
He was sure it was C the last time he checked, but it had risen without him noticing.
Lucy explained the discrepancy.
[It rose when you were doing the three-lift measurement. Since you were focused, I turned off the notifications so you wouldn't get hurt.]
'Oh? Thanks.'
If the notification had gone off while he was squeezing out every last ounce of strength, he could have gotten seriously injured.
"Juhwan?"
Oh no! He'd been thinking while checking her desire and favorability levels.
Lim Soo-hee was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Of, of course I am."
"Hmph. You weren't listening at all, were you? And you used informal speech."
Lim Soo-hee was still hung up on the informal speech.
Did she seriously think he was twenty-five years old?
'Even if sis looks young for her age, that would be too dishonest.'
Lim Soo-hee sighed and spoke.
"I'll tell you again."
"Okay. I'll listen carefully this time."
"It's nothing special, but I sometimes have company gatherings with members who work out seriously. We collect fees at each gathering. How about it? Will you come?"
"Hmm. I'll go. How much is the fee?"
Lim Soo-hee winked playfully and spoke.
"Hehe. Since this is your first time, sis will pay for you."
"Huh? That's okay though…"
"Uh-uh. Sis is buying."
Lim Soo-hee with both hands on her waist, eyes wide open.
Her impression was innocent, so there was no pressure at all, and he just nodded. If she's offering, there's no need to keep refusing.
Only then did Lim Soo-hee smile with genuine happiness.
"I'm glad you're coming."
"Glad? Why?"
Seo Juhwan asked with some anticipation.
'Does she have some interest in me?'
Given that Lim Soo-hee was a muscle enthusiast, it was quite possible. Seo Juhwan now had a pretty decent body himself. If she was interested in his body, he was prepared not to refuse.
But unfortunately, Lim Soo-hee's answer was different from what he expected.
"The other members like you, Juhwan. They say you work out hard. Especially after watching you today, they suggested inviting you."
It seemed other members had made the suggestion first, not Lim Soo-hee.
Seo Juhwan regretted it inwardly. Thinking about it, there were plenty of people with better bodies, so there was no reason for her to approach him specifically.
"Oh, and you're close with Mr. Kang Ho, right? By the way, Kang Ho will be coming too."
"Oh, really? That's unexpected. I thought someone who looks that scary wouldn't have friends."
"My? You're going to tell Mr. Kang Ho all of this?"
"Eek."
Please don't tell him that….
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