Smolov Junior Bench fail :(

[SionX]

I have been struggling to up my bench press for too long - so long that after failing to make bench gains on madcows 5x5 and Wendlers I decided to give Smolov Juniors ago. My max was 100KG. Compare that to my max squat 185KG and deadlift 240KG

I ate and got plenty of sleep and actually bulked up from 77 to 80KG. So I followed the protocol exactly and got EVERY rep!

So I finished week 3 last sunday. Yesterday (Friday) I attempted a new max. I wasn't sure if 5 days was enough rest - they say you should take a week off but I was worried that doing so would strip me of the gains I had made...

95KG = pass

100KG = pass

105KG = fail

105KG = pass with bad form

110KG = fail

I just don't understand it. Should I have waited another week? I really want to get my bench up to 120KG at the very least - 140KG is my long term goal but if I am struggling to bench over 105KG then I am running out of ideas...

[arian11]

I have been struggling to up my bench press for too long - so long that after failing to make bench gains on madcows 5x5 and Wendlers I decided to give Smolov Juniors ago. My max was 100KG. Compare that to my max squat 185KG and deadlift 240KG

I ate and got plenty of sleep and actually bulked up from 77 to 80KG. So I followed the protocol exactly and got EVERY rep!

So I finished week 3 last sunday. Yesterday (Friday) I attempted a new max. I wasn't sure if 5 days was enough rest - they say you should take a week off but I was worried that doing so would strip me of the gains I had made...

95KG = pass

100KG = pass

105KG = fail

105KG = pass with bad form

110KG = fail

I just don't understand it. Should I have waited another week? I really want to get my bench up to 120KG at the very least - 140KG is my long term goal but if I am struggling to bench over 105KG then I am running out of ideas...

So what you are saying is you have a problem with technique and holding technique at maximal weights. Maybe that is something you need to work on.

[Torrtrefireto]

So what you are saying is you have a problem with technique and holding technique at maximal weights. Maybe that is something you need to work on.

I'd agree. There is almost certainly technical flaws if you only got 5kg out of it, and that 5kg was missed prior to making it

[BigLarge]

not enough food/calories?

[brodygeorge]

So what you are saying is you have a problem with technique and holding technique at maximal weights. Maybe that is something you need to work on.

i'm having the same problem with 100kg. i can't stay tight and keep form but i can with 95kg. i can do 3 reps of 95kg but 100kg i just can't stay tight. besides practising as close to the amount as possible- regularly, is there any other way to practice to stay tight when going for a max?

[gameNlift]

Man 10lbs in 3 weeks is pretty solid IMO. I'm gonna be giving smolov jr a try starting tues and if i get that much by the end I'll be happy. If you feel like you're good for more perhaps you should take another 3 days or so off and try another max out.

For those who have completed smolov jr, what do you feel is the best way to transition after its complete (with it being a peaking program and all)?

[untranslatedZA]

I dont like Smolov JR to increase bench long term, i do however find that something similar to 5/3/1 helped, are u eating and sleeping enough ? and i would try get a vid to u can ask people to help analyze your weak point, for all your know its something u could fix in a month or two.

[Xuaxace]

Probably techique related as posted above.\

Got any videos?

[SionX]

I don't have videos unfortunately as gym doesn't allow it. It might be worth going to a different gym for a one-off just to get one though as I think it would be worth it...

I am thinking about trying again at the end of the week but if it is still no go I will need to try another program. I don't like idea of another 3 week cycle where I might not make gains AND I can't OH Press.

During the 3 weeks I have eaten way more than I have in past and slept well - bulked up to 80kg from 77kg as I said in the OP

[xDEADLIFTx]

your gym doesn't allow videos? is it planet fitness? lol

[untranslatedZA]

your gym doesn't allow videos? is it planet fitness? lol

Dunno if planet fitness is an international franchise but i gym at a planet fitness in South Africa and they really dont like it when u take pictures for some reason, even if there are only 4 people in the gym and u are the only one in a 20 meter radius, also they **** themselves when i deadlift cuz i "break their floor", but since they only have rubber/plastic mats under the bench rack i dont have a choice, they actually told me i must just move the bench rack away when i wanna deadlift, its retarded cuz the rack can only be moved to a place where its in everyones way, oh and chalk, they REALLY hate chalk.