Making no progress on both the bench & press when alternating them weekly in TM

[Smolov]

Hi Coach,

First off I want to express my words of gratitude towards you. Since I have read both SS & PP I have made a great deal of progress on all of my lifts. I am now lifting with better form and as a result lifting more safely overall.

My question is about alternating the bench & the press weekly in the Texas Method. I have been doing this routing for about 5 months now and have made great results on all my lifts except for the bench & the press. I can say I have even regressed on these exercises since I was stronger at them before starting the TM.

This is what my routine looks like:

Week A
1.
Squat 5x5
Bench 5x5
PC 8x3
Chins 3x8

2.
Front Squat 3x5
Press 3x5 @ 80% 5RM
RDL 3x5

3.
Squat 3RM
Bench 3RM
Deadlift 3RM

Week B
1.
Squat 5x5
Press 5x5
PC 8x3
Chins 3x8

2.
Front Squat 3x5
Bench 3x5 @ 80% 5RM
RDL 3x5

3.
Squat 3RM
Press 3RM
Deadlift 3RM

I try to make weekly progress on both the volume workout and the intensity workout at the end of the week. However since this is not working for the bench/press I think the stimuli for adaptation is just not big enough for these exercises?

Therefore I decided to focus on only one of these exercises every week so I will at least make some progress. What are your views on this decision?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I assume you have the other variables under control. Let us know what happens.