Repeated Weight and Missed

[Idlygofy]

Hi Coaches. My info with weight in lbs:

Age: 34
Weight: 175 > 221
Squat: 86 > 280
Bench: 100 > 153
Press: Bar > 121
Deadlift: 135 > 310

In my last squat workout on Friday I hit 280x5x3. I felt that I was dive-bombing into the hole on some reps so I repeated 280 today (Monday) and after hitting 5 reps on the first set I had to ditch the weight on rep 3 of set 2. I felt beat up after this so dropped to 265x5 for the final set of 5.

My question: Should I repeat 280 next time or chalk it up to a fluke and go for 285? I felt pretty strong on Friday other than the dive-bomb. Not sure what happened today, seemed just a little tired and I think it got forward of mid-foot too much.

Nutrition-wise I'm eating ~3500 cal/day so don't think that's the issue, and I'm averaging 8 hours sleep a night. Last week I also switched to doing a light day (80%) on Wednesdays after noticing that I didn't seem to be recovering enough on Fridays.

[Tom Campitelli]

Video would be of use, but try 285. See how it goes. Why is your bench press only 30 pounds ahead of your press?

[Idlygofy]

Thanks Tom. I will try 285 next time and see if I can grab some video.

I have really struggled with the bench, which is unfortunate because it's the lift that I most want to get my numbers up for. I often have to repeat a weight for 2 or 3 workouts to get it, and that is using 2 lb jumps. My press on the other hand has gone up pretty smoothly using 2 lb jumps. I actually reset my bench recently after failing at 153 (5,5,4) for 3 workouts, and when I got back to 151 today I barely got my reps. Don't think it's a form issue but will try to grab video there as well. I'm wondering if I should go to 1 lb jumps so I'm at least making consistent progress.

[Tom Campitelli]

I would bet there is something up with your bench form given your other numbers. You can certainly try one pound jumps. Six or seven pounds a month on the bench adds up over the course of six months, but I bet there is quicker progress to be had at this point.