Programming Help: Missing Bench Reps While Press Went Up?

[ZachA97]

Hey Rip,

Having a weird issue here. I’m running the program for the third time in my pitiful life, and while I’ve just failed reps on my bench, again, in the same place (170lbs), I’m continuing to progress my press past the last PR I had in my last run (roughly two years ago). Wednesday I failed reps on bench but grinded out all 15 across 5 sets (4/4/3/2/2). Additionally, the jump to 170 was a 5lbs jump. Here’s a video of the set: https://streamable.com/qaut9a

Today, I finished 3x5 at 120lbs for my press, and it felt good, better than 117.5lbs on Monday, where I grinded gracefully on reps. I’ve decided to start making 2.5lbs jumps on my presses after Wednesday.

When it comes to the three questions, this time I’m doing things better. I’m eating 4500-5000 clean calories a day (possibly even more depending on how I feel), gaining weight, sleeping as much as possible, and resting as needed between sets. I’m 27, 5’11”, 185lbs, and I’m shooting for 200lbs by January. My squat is 240lbs and my deadlift is 285lbs. Not worried about growth there. Only adjustment I’ve made, as of this week, is adding power cleans on Wednesday to keep deadlifting as much as possible, as long as possible, without frying myself.

I did take two years off doing shit with kettlebells. Mainly cleans, squats, and presses with two KBs at 20, 24, and 26kg, somewhat wasting my time. Perhaps that could explain the improved press but shit bench? Am I just not getting enough stress for the bench? Was the jump from 165 to 170 the smoking gun? What should I do here? Do I back off the bench 10% and work my way back up in smaller increments?

Thanks for reading all that shit. If I’m asking too much, please tell me to go fuck myself and get a coach.

Thanks,
Zach

P.S. I wanted to touch on something I heard on the podcast. As a hook-nosed Jew bastard, I have to contend that Jews are NOT “white”. Genetically, they are distinct from Western Europeans. Whichever Jew told you that needs to have their card revoked.

The paternal chromosome of most European Jews has “Levantine” holotypes. And most European Jews can trace their European genetics to a bottleneck in the late Middle Ages (1400-1600) where there were, supposedly, roughly 350 jews in Europe (due to diaspora, pogroms, and all sorts of rudeness).

I am tired of Schrödinger’s Jew, who is merely white when it’s convenient, especially in the wake of the uptick in “white bashing”. Again, I’m a certified Jew bastard, I can fax a copy of my membership card if need be.

[Mark Rippetoe]

How long are you resting between bench sets? And you should shoot for 200 pounds by December 1.

[stef]

That's a real narrow grip you have there, Zach. Check your position at the bottom and here, just off the chest:
20241026-zach-bench.jpg

[Martin Shenfield]

That's a real narrow grip you have there, Zach. Check your position at the bottom and here, just off the chest:
20241026-zach-bench.jpg

Is this narrow grip issue actually what I thought was a big elbow flare out and back towards his head at this position? Or at least the cause of it?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Maybe. The grip is explained in the book.

[ZachA97]

I’m resting at least 8-10+ minutes in between bench sets.

I had a feeling that ought to be the case. Will eat more to accommodate that goal.

Thanks for the reply, Rip.

Thanks, Stef. If I go wider I feel some pain/tightness in my anterior deltoids. Though I imagine that is a form issue. Will reread the bench chapter and watch the online videos with Rip again.

Will reread the chapter and watch the videos prior to today’s training session. Decided to de-load to 160 and work my way up in smaller increments to iron out my form. Hope that isn’t greedy, 150 is just feels too light.

[Jason Donaldson]

Zach, that video's showing as unavailable now, when I try to look at it.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Put the video back up, or I delete your account. This is in the rules.

[ZachA97]

Sorry about that, I used streamable and they delete after 48 hours. Here’s a permanent link: IMG_4616. It won’t happen again.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Grip is probably the issue.