Bench press lagging?

[MuscleGainer]

I can currently bench press 160 lbs for 6 reps with bar touching my chest. I don't have a spotter so I can't go all out on bench press. I can barbell row 155 lbs for 6 reps. My barbell row is almost the same as my bench press and I made more progress on the barbell row than the bench press. I really don't put full effort into bench pressing because of no spotter, I stop 1-2 reps before failure or make my last rep not a full rep for fear of being pinned by the bar if I don't think I can do a full rep. I can squat 155 lbs for 6 reps well below parallel. I hardly made any progress in bench pressing this year so far and I exclusively doing barbell benching as my benching exercise. In fact I was better at bench pressing when I used dumbbells and hammer strength machines for benching, hammer strength machines to finish off, and put more effort into those exercise and my occasional bench pressing at the time was much better and I had a spotter as well but it still felt easier at the time. Should bench pressing weight be much higher than barbell rowing weight? I don't seem to be making anymore progress in bench press but I am making progress in my other exercises.

[dalylink]

I suggezt you get a power rack. Then there's no excuse for lagging

[gbk56]

I can currently bench press 160 lbs for 6 reps with bar touching my chest. I don't have a spotter so I can't go all out on bench press. I can barbell row 155 lbs for 6 reps. My barbell row is almost the same as my bench press and I made more progress on the barbell row than the bench press. I really don't put full effort into bench pressing because of no spotter, I stop 1-2 reps before failure or make my last rep not a full rep for fear of being pinned by the bar if I don't think I can do a full rep. I can squat 155 lbs for 6 reps well below parallel. I hardly made any progress in bench pressing this year so far and I exclusively doing barbell benching as my benching exercise. In fact I was better at bench pressing when I used dumbbells and hammer strength machines for benching, hammer strength machines to finish off, and put more effort into those exercise and my occasional bench pressing at the time was much better and I had a spotter as well but it still felt easier at the time. Should bench pressing weight be much higher than barbell rowing weight? I don't seem to be making anymore progress in bench press but I am making progress in my other exercises.

You bench more than you squat. I think you should be concentrating on your lagging squat.

[Richie71]

You can go all out benching at that weight. If you fail, as long as you're benching over your chest not your neck, you can just roll the bar down your body. Or leave the collars off, and tip the bar to the side to let the weight slide off.

[drudixon]

I think it's great that you row more than you bench. You should endeavor to keep it that way. It'll protect your shoulders in the long run.

That said, Google Dave tate so you think you can bench. Proper form will go a long way in bringing your numbers up.

[coachcalande]

I can currently bench press 160 lbs for 6 reps with bar touching my chest. I don't have a spotter so I can't go all out on bench press. I can barbell row 155 lbs for 6 reps. My barbell row is almost the same as my bench press and I made more progress on the barbell row than the bench press. I really don't put full effort into bench pressing because of no spotter, I stop 1-2 reps before failure or make my last rep not a full rep for fear of being pinned by the bar if I don't think I can do a full rep. I can squat 155 lbs for 6 reps well below parallel. I hardly made any progress in bench pressing this year so far and I exclusively doing barbell benching as my benching exercise. In fact I was better at bench pressing when I used dumbbells and hammer strength machines for benching, hammer strength machines to finish off, and put more effort into those exercise and my occasional bench pressing at the time was much better and I had a spotter as well but it still felt easier at the time. Should bench pressing weight be much higher than barbell rowing weight? I don't seem to be making anymore progress in bench press but I am making progress in my other exercises.

I can remember being at those weights for my lifts...

Just stay with it, hit your pushes and pulls and squats twice a week or twice in an 8 day period and make sure you are in a caloric surplus, even if you arent training to failure, youll get stronger. You might also try adding 5 lbs to your starting work weight every time you are able to reach 6...that will most likely keep you gaining in the 4-5-6 rep range.

You can always add some flyes after your bench and take those to failure and beyond by immediatly doing db press with the fly wt once you have failed. Its really not necessary but if you want more intensity, there it is.

You weight 154....as your body weight goes up, your bench, rows, squats will also go up provided you are trianing regularly and progressively lifting heavier weights in your training rep range. dont overthink this stuff, just do it. IF you stall, eat another small meal and see what happens.

[tamu2005]

You can go all out benching at that weight. If you fail, as long as you're benching over your chest not your neck, you can just roll the bar down your body. Or leave the collars off, and tip the bar to the side to let the weight slide off.

Came to say this.

Also, if in a gym just ask for a spot. Maybe you don't need it every set just the last one or two. Most folks won't mind. If it isn't an option just be prepared to bail.

[Flounderbout]

I can remember being at those weights for my lifts...

[Smelly bull]

I can remember being at those weights for my lifts...
.

What is ironic is I can remember being at your weight for my lifts...but luckily I made some progress.

[coachcalande]

What is ironic is I can remember being at your weight for my lifts...but luckily I made some progress.

Its a shame that folks take certain things out of context. Notice that they highlighted one small portion of my post.

My intention was simply to show that we have all been there, struggled through a variety of plateus and have been through the process.

Internet opportunists that look to bully, harass and just generally crap on other people really need to get a life.

To the OP, I apologize if you think I was belittling your progress or work ethic or anything else. Notice that the other trolls didnt bother to try and actually help you. My intentions were certainly for the best.

[Flounderbout]

bully, harass and just generally crap on other people

So pointing out in a rather mild manner that part of your post was unbelievably patronising is "bullying or harrassment" now? FFS, how do you make it through the day?

[Jasonk282]

FFS, how do you make it through the day?

He's a high school 'strength coach' and football coach...teenagers fear his fat strong dad bod

[Jasonk282]

TBH, with the lifts you stated it seems you just don't push yourself enough in the weight room. There's many ways to bench without a spotter, you can even do the roll of shame if you have to.

Your bench seems fine...however your squat should be much higher, IMO. that's the real weakness.

[wesleytimmons41]

I would suggest without a spotter changing your rep range to 8-12 could make a difference for you.

personally I find it easier to know if I have 1 more rep in the 8-12 range then in the 6.

You can make gains in any range , and the 4-6 range is certainly best done with a spotter, although I often do without.

Also for myself as I get older my joints appreciate the higher rep range , and for sanity it's good to vary rep ranges like 12-10-8-6 for a couple of months , followed by something like straight 8's for a couple,4-6 for a couple, etc.

[EjnarKolinkar]

So you training at a gym or at home OP?

Sounds like you could use a good basic strength program.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8