Bench press question?

[TurbulentFluid]

Actually two..

Past 8 weeks I've been consistent with a FBW which consisted of 1 light (3x12), 1 moderate (3x10) and 1 heavy (4x6) day. I started off doing chest presses on the heavy day, with 4x6 of 55 kg. At the time, I was able to do 2 reps of 55 kg on a bench press. I finished with 4x6 of 55 kg with a bench press. Is that decent progress? (I also did flat bench on moderate days, 3x10 of 50 kg)

Second question, past 8 weeks I did incline dumbbell bench presses on a light day, 3x12 with 17.5 kg. Today I started a new routine which incorporates incline bench presses on a moderate day and MAN! I was able to do only 6-7 reps with 40 kgs!!! Used to be able to pull that much with 45 kg (8 weeks ago ). Is this much of a loss normal?!

[viridian]

Actually two..

Past 8 weeks I've been consistent with a FBW which consisted of 1 light (3x12), 1 moderate (3x10) and 1 heavy (4x6) day. I started off doing chest presses on the heavy day, with 4x6 of 55 kg. At the time, I was able to do 2 reps of 55 kg on a bench press. I finished with 4x6 of 55 kg with a bench press. Is that decent progress? (I also did flat bench on moderate days, 3x10 of 50 kg)

Second question, past 8 weeks I did incline dumbbell bench presses on a light day, 3x12 with 17.5 kg. Today I started a new routine which incorporates incline bench presses on a moderate day and MAN! I was able to do only 6-7 reps with 40 kgs!!! Used to be able to pull that much with 45 kg (8 weeks ago ). Is this much of a loss normal?!

That's pretty decent progress.And a good number for bein a lady.

As far as the second one goes.... most women are slow-twitch muscle fiber dominant... which is what is used in higher rep exercises, particularly in the upper body. So when you drop back to lower reps and havent retrained your muscles (particularly in the beginning year or two of training) your strength will be uproportionately lower (ie can do 20lb db bicep curls for 20 reps but up to a 25lb leaves you about dead after 6).

I don't know about normal, but you could have had an off day. I always lose some strength right before my period (which Ive taken to making my deload week LOL), hormones always play some part. Or even, if you hadnt been doing that particular movement or another similar one for upper chest strength, you can well have lost some strength. But it's not that big of a loss (poundage) and should be pretty easy to get back.

[TurbulentFluid]

Thanx! Man, I hope it'll be easy to get back!!!