Nothing changed in food/rest/training - been trying to get past more than 1 rep at 225 for about 6 weeks - after hovering around 185 in the spring (I came back from a lay off of bench for a while).
Finally just this week I was able to relatively easily heave 225 by 1, then 2 then 3 reps.
Rested - swapped out with the partner, then hit it again - did that 4 times, then went up to 235 and did 2 sets of 2 reps.
So - thats great news for me - but I have no clue at all as to what finally worked - it was not linear at all - almost like no progress for 6 weeks, then bam!.
Anyone ever get the bottom of these types of twists and turns in training ?
BTW - Im 175lbs, training on and off for years, steadily doing 5 days a week - 1 hour a day for the last two years. Making solid gains elsewhere that are a lot more predictable.
My experience is that bench is more affected by stress than just about any other lift. Mine can vary depending on whether work and/or home life is more demanding or not.
You guys hit it right on the head - thats why I like to check in with the crew here - the best way to rationalize this one, is hit the next one - 245 (or 250) here I come…