Bench press blues !!

Did Incline bench the other day.........Don't do it very often.....Prefer dumbbells........

Anyway 125kg for 6 .....................Which may sound a lot to some......But considering I've took crap loads of gear and been training for nearly 30 years is scant reward.......

Don't get me wrong I've got a good chest............But my benching has always been an embarrassment to me.

Legs are strong and great....Currently hack squatting 380 for 20 reps on the Smith.............Always had powerful legs.......Could deadlift plenty back in the day too..

Can't do regular bench now as my shoulders aren't up to it..............But never lifted much on that...

I'm getting bench press blues too. 

Did a chest session 2 weeks ago or so, and went pretty heavy. Busted out a heavy set for 2 reps, but it just didn't feel good at all. My technique felt dreadful and the push felt like it was way too much through my shoulders. I'm pretty hard on myself so I wasn't happy at all. 

I've decided that somewhere along the way of trying to push more weight, I've forgotten the fundamentals of the bench press. I've decided to strip the weight, and hit 5x5 training for a few months, focusing on technique and trying to build a better structural base. 

I'm still benching, but I've dropped the weight by about 40%. You just don't leave the gym with the same good feeling!

Never gone less than Six reps bluestone............Always been a bodybuilder first and weightlifter second....

Also realised early I responded better to higher reps..

Maybe you could do with a rest..........I find it beneficial to recharge the batteries every now and then.

I had a long rest over Christmas and it did do wonders, but I'm not sure that's the solution now. 

Initially I thought my shoulder strength was limiting my bench press, but i've worked really hard on standing barbell pressing and it has really helped. My problem now is form, and ego  getting in the way I think. Trying to up the bench press too quickly and my form's shot! 

What you said about reps is interesting though. An old gym partner did a split of high reps, low set one week, with low rep high set the next. He saw some great gains. 

I reckon that could be worth a shot at some point.

I've become a bit more adventurous as the years have rolled on..........Even use quite a lot of machines now........

Mixing it up with high/low reps at my age............I doubt it.........But worth a shot for anybody else reading

Whups posted twice..

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:I've become a bit more adventurous as the years have rolled on..........Even use quite a lot of machines now........

Mixing it up with high/low reps at my age............I doubt it.........But worth a shot for anybody else reading

I'll report back when I've given it a go Truss!

How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

I've been 39 for a few years now Mate..

Haha. Still lifting strong though Truss!

125kg incline for reps is strong, natural or not.

AdamT wrote:125kg incline for reps is strong, natural or not.

Not good after 20 plus years.............Just haven't got a big bench press in me...........

Squat was excellent though.................Lord giveth.......He taketh away !!

how much do you weigh truss and how tall are you?

I can bench about 115 on flat bench but my target is 120 but probably wont go over that or train to go over that as I don't want to be too big.

I'm 6ft3 and about 98 kgs but my target weight is about 101-103kgs

I bench 10kg more Than I did 3 years ago.

In the same time I have added around 40kg to both my squat and deadlift.

Hate bench!

Musclular-mouse wrote:how much do you weigh truss and how tall are you?

I can bench about 115 on flat bench but my target is 120 but probably wont go over that or train to go over that as I don't want to be too big.

I'm 6ft3 and about 98 kgs but my target weight is about 101-103kgs

I'm 220ish probably a little heavier.......I was 6'1 apparently twenty odd years ago and I was measured at 5'11 1/2......A couple of years ago... so I don't know which is right..........Probably around 6........

I do high reps..........especially at my age although I train at home now in the garage.........Powercleans dips and press basically......I did use test regularly though..........Enthanate mainly..

As for Squats and deadlifts Adam......They will always increase quicker......Using bigger muscle groups and more of them..

Im with everyone here...I had a poor bench, peaked a bit on it a few years ago...but its woeful now again...yet my dead's, squats and sh press are very good.

Bench is actually embarrassing!