Does the bench prefer lower reps moreso than other lifts?

[AD1985]

Started a cycle with 15 rep sets (for the upper lifts, I'm not a sadist) and they're progressing proportionally similarly, except bench which is progressing at half the rate compared to when I was doing 10-12 reps.

I am not a bench specialist and also remember Dr. Mike Ish saying the bench press likes lower rep ranges more than other lifts. Is that true? If so, anyone understand the rationale behind it?

[jk202]

Your muscles don't know the difference between a BB press and a DB Press. They only know tension.

If your goal is primarily strength, then yes low reps should be your focus. If

[AD1985]

Your muscles don't know the difference between a BB press and a DB Press. They only know tension.

If your goal is primarily strength, then yes low reps should be your focus. If

I get your point. I was thinking my rows, which continue to fly, have so much more mass that they have no issues. But the chest musculature is smaller and fatigues faster. But then if that were true I'm not sure why lower reps / higher weight would be less fatiguing.

PS: Strength to me is only a proxy measure of progress in muscle growth, which is my goal.

[zGwild]

Started a cycle with 15 rep sets (for the upper lifts, I'm not a sadist) and they're progressing proportionally similarly, except bench which is progressing at half the rate compared to when I was doing 10-12 reps.

I am not a bench specialist and also remember Dr. Mike Ish saying the bench press likes lower rep ranges more than other lifts. Is that true? If so, anyone understand the rationale behind it?

Vary your rep ranges. There is no best rep range. Spend a week doing 8-12, the next week do 5-7 after that do 4-2. There are benefits to all intensities.

[sooby]

not necessarily but at the same time properly bench pressing, it is extremely difficult to keep your scapula retracted hard to the bench and maintain an arch for say 10+ reps and at that point you will probably tire via fatigue rather than any sort of failure of strength. Which could be a possible reason. but if we are comparing it to isolations then yeah bench is probably lower reps. But it isn't really different compared to other compounds.

[WolfRose7]

I think either works for Bench tbh, so plenty of variation from 3-12 mostly is good for general size/strength.

Some exercises certainly favour lower rep work due to their technicality and impact on recovery (deads, Oly movements).

[Burgerbuger]

Depends who you ask

I am a big fan of doing 5x5 for bench press newbie gains. But like all things bodybuilding, it's all about feeling out the amount of work being done and adapting to get over plateau.

[DCSpartan]

15 reps a set is a bit much. The weightis going to be way too light for every set but the last one.

[Garage Rat]

Max strength on the BP isn't necessarily the best size producing protocol.
Yes it likes lower reps for max strength training.
While it is true you will receive some benefit a max bench used many muscles to achieve the lift not just the pecs.
For bodybuilding purposes use higher reps and a different technique to stimulate pec growth.
I like 8-12 reps myself.
An elbows out position with the arms on the BP and bringing the bar to mid chest level is a better way to go.
Dont lock out during your set keep tension on the pecs focusing on the upper part of the arm coming inward while pressing.
Try to maintain an arch in the chest while pressing to keep the pecs more engaged.
If you collapse the chest then the shoulders /delts come more into play.
Use a moderate not max weight to stimulate.
I feel DB's are a better for chest development than a bar because you can get a bit more of a contraction on the pecs because the arms aren't locked into position like they are with a bar.
You can arc the DB path to make it more beneficial for your purpose.