Good evening,
I have been working out on and off for a few years now. I have done DC training but mostly 5x5.
I am currently doing 245 for my last set of 5 on the bench. I have been maxing at 245 for my last set of 5 reps for a while , I even took a few weeks off and still can’t break it. I am thinking about maybe switching it hammer strength for a while and give BB bench a break. Any advice
If all you are doing is sets of 5 try mixing up your rep range. That is one thing I like about 531.
Ecchastang is exactly right. If you’re running straight 5x5’s and you’re barely getting that 5th rep on the 5th set, that’s not the best way to allow for any progression. You could just add in different volume schemes like 4x9 or 3x10 or 5x7.
Another way you may prefer to vary the reps though is to just keep moving up your 5x5 weight. For example you have successfully done 5x5 with 245. Time to move to 255 or 250 if you need to. Go as many sets as you can with that for 5, and then drop to 4’s when you need to. Or even do 5 sets of 4 and try to add a rep next time and maybe get 2 sets of 5 the time after that and so on.
As it stands you’re just telling your body to do the same thing, which is bench 245 25 times in 5 sets. Make it do something different. Switching to hammer strength won’t help you. Strength is a skill. Removing the exercise on which you want to build strength is not typically helpful.
[quote]jrock513 wrote:
Any advice [/quote]
What does your back work look like? Often times ones pressing is way more than their pulling. The back plays a tremendous role in bench pressing. Are you sure you are bench pressing properly? You may be one of those guys doing what I call “barbell flyes” with their elbows straight out to the sides. IDK you haven’t given us much to work with. Maybe can you post a video? This will let us internet experts get you going in the right direction.