Would you consider this an improvement?

[Cartman281]

So I did bench yesterday and heres how it went.
Flat bench barbell
LAST WEEK
10x95
8x135
3x185
2x5x205
5x210
Yesterday
8x135
5x175
5x205
5x210
5x215
Would you guys call that an improvement? If so what should I shoot for next week?
And no thats not all I did for chest just talking about Flat Bench here.

 

[rjx]

Are you going to positive failure on any of the sets before your last set?

So I did bench yesterday and heres how it went.
Flat bench barbell
LAST WEEK
10x95
8x135
3x185
2x5x205
5x210
Yesterday
8x135
5x175
5x205
5x210
5x215
Would you guys call that an improvement? If so what should I shoot for next week?
And no thats not all I did for chest just talking about Flat Bench here.

 

[Cartman281]

No, should I be? And why?

 

[rjx]

No, should I be? And why?

No. I was trying to figure out approximately how much energy you were exerting before your heavy set.

I think you could lift at least 220 x 5 your next workout. I might even shoot for 225.

Warm up with two sets of 135, then finish warm ups with one low rep set of 185. Then try 220 or 225. Or just warm up like you normally do (without fatiguing yourself) and try at least 220. See how much stronger you are by eliminating those two low 200 pound sets. Apply ALL your energy to the heavy set.

 

[Cartman281]

No. I was trying to figure out approximately how much energy you were exerting before your heavy set.

I think you could lift at least 220 x 5 your next workout. I might even shoot for 225.

Warm up with two sets of 135, then finish warm ups with one low rep set of 185. Then try 220 or 225. Or just warm up like you normally do (without fatiguing yourself) and try at least 220. See how much stronger you are by eliminating those two low 200 pound sets. Apply ALL your energy to the heavy set.

Ok this Ill give this a shot
2x6x135
1x4x185
5x220 and if I get those reps out Ill adjust from there. Ill either go for a 2nd set or if I cant make it Ill lower it back down to 215
How many sets should I be doing after my set of 185?
Should I be picking a weight I can do 5 sets of 5 reps at?

 

[Cartman281]

Well yesterdays bench looked like this
6x135
3x175
1x195
1x205
3x5x215 (A new record for me doing 3 sets of 5 reps) Just a month ago I was only able to do 225x3.
10 more lbs to go and Ill be doing my sets of 5 reps with 225, Im stoked

 

[evansss]

looks like an improvement to me. your getting the same reps for heavier weight.

 

[Cartman281]

looks like an improvement to me. your getting the same reps for heavier weight.

Im not sure what Im doing differently now other than Im doing leg pressing on a slide where you lay back and push a slide of free weights up.
And Im doing barbell incline presses the past 2 weeks instead of DBs which I had been doing for 2-3 months.
So well see how the next workout goes. Aslong as my #s keep going up I wont order any juice.

 

[Soul Rebel]

Aslong as my #s keep going up I wont order any juice.

LOL

 

[evansss]

Im not sure what Im doing differently now other than Im doing leg pressing on a slide where you lay back and push a slide of free weights up.
And Im doing barbell incline presses the past 2 weeks instead of DBs which I had been doing for 2-3 months.
So well see how the next workout goes. Aslong as my #s keep going up I wont order any juice.

well i think you answered your own question. i know that alot of people say DB bench helps their regular bench go up. And like squatting im sure leg presses release growth hormone's in your legs ( I think...not sure)


and yeah, stay all natty.

 

[Cartman281]

LOL

 

[Aztech]

as long as you are increasing the weight weekly, increasing reps, or decreasing rest times with similare results...you are progressing

 

[Cartman281]

as long as you are increasing the weight weekly, increasing reps, or decreasing rest times with similare results...you are progressing

One thing I dont get is why is my buddy who is 6' and weighs 180lbs at 14% bf benching 275 but here I am 6' 235lbs low 20% bf but way bigger overall then him and can do more weight in just about any other exercise, but yet my bench maxes out at 255.
This was 3 weeks ago and I wont try again until I hit 225x5 but you get the drift of the question

 

[Aztech]

it's all about how you train. I was 190lbs pushing over 300lbs, but i was training pretty much for strength. Now i'm over 210, pushing more but puching for reps and size. Keep pushing the 5's out, that'll build strength. Maybe you're buddy is top heavy whereas you have a solid base from squating? So many variables, as long as you are pushing yourself to the max to beat who you were last week, then you are doing good and will succeed. Keep a log book. Beat it everytime. Compete with it. Comparing yourself to others in the gym is ok, but it's really perspective.

 

[Aztech]

o yeh, tman weights like less than 180 and pushes over 400..that's one strong mofo in my opinion.

 

[Cartman281]

Well you know how they say the more weight you push the bigger youll get. How come someone pushing 400lbs isnt bigger than me?
I always thought size came with pushing more weight?

Is there a video of this 180lb guy pushing 400lbs? Id love to see that video, not saying I dont believe it, I just want to see it

 

[Soul Rebel]

You can be "bigger" than him (more fat, holding more water), but he has more lean muscle mass than you do, hence his superior strength. It's not all about weight/size, so don't get caught up in it. It's about what your goals are, be it strength, size, or looks. Believe me, t-man is one big mofo, just look at his avatar. Oh, and my comment earlier was meant only if you're serious about juicing at your current strength/size; it's just plain unnecessary.