Form at submaximal exercise

[Ivan091]

When I do my last, the heaviest set of 5 on the bench press, the fifth and sometimes even fourth rep aren’t ideal in form - one of my elbows starting to flare and bar path change a little. I’m progressing and everything seems to be allright. Should I care about it or is it about a normal thing?

[air2fakie]

everything seems to be allright. Should I care about it or is it about a normal thing?

If this is true, then use your own judgement. Otherwise, stop short of technical failure.

[jademonkey]

I do this a bit too often as well. I don't think it's a big deal every now and then, but really shouldn't do this every day. I think it hinders progress. Now, grinding out that last rep and struggling to keep perfect form and succeeding is fine. Just be honest if the form is perfect.

[TolerantLactose]

There's nothing wrong with elbow flare when you're benching. Almost all the best benchers do it.

[Camarija]

When I do my last, the heaviest set of 5 on the bench press, the fifth and sometimes even fourth rep aren’t ideal in form - one of my elbows starting to flare and bar path change a little. I’m progressing and everything seems to be allright. Should I care about it or is it about a normal thing?

Whatever you practice, you'll get better at

If you practice reps with good form, you'll get better at good form reps

If you practice reps with bad form, you'll get better at bad form reps

Be consistent

Form breakdown is normal when you're reaching failure

Best to slow things down when you're getting there instead of panicking and forcing out bad form

[GeneralSerpant]

If you're just running the course, then what matters is how prominently it happens and if there's any impact; is it something very unavoidable and does it get stressed during or proceeding the lift?

The last rep of a bunch of reps can be a psychological challenge if your muscles are getting too fatigued. So that's just one aspect that might help fix it.

[Ivan091]

Form breakdown is normal when you're reaching failure

Thats the key I think. It’s funny that a lot of videos with exercises instructions are made with use of an empty bar…

[Zbashore84]

That's just fatigue.