6 reps on the bench press

[AAden]

Hello all,

I'm 5'7 149lbs

I rep or 11-12 at 155lbs.

I was lifting at 170lbs for a couple days now. For some reason I can't get past 4 reps without a spotter.
I would like to be able to do 10 reps. Is 6 more reps a big deal? What can I do to get them.
I really suck on chest right now.

 

[LucSulla]

When you say without a spotter, do you mean that if you know you have a spotter you can get more than 4, or you can only get 4 before they assist? If the latter is the case, you can only get 4 either way.

How much other chest work are you doing and how often?

The number of reps matters depending on your goal. I believe less reps is considered better for strength while more is better for size with the 6-8 rep range being a happy medium between the two. If you are looking for a pump, then you will probably want to do a little bit more than 6 reps, if you are looking for strength 3 to 5 over multiple sets would be better. It all comes down to work load. I tell you that you must lift 1,000 lbs. You can do this many different ways, doing 10 reps of 100 or 3 reps of 333 for instance, but the way your body adapts to each is not the same. This is important because what you want to get from strength training will dictate a great deal of the rep ranges you are looking to do for an exercise.

Also, sometimes numbers are psychological. Occasionally you can actually ADD five pounds and break through because you get fixated on a certain number. The mind is funny that way.

 

[artificialaspirations]

Ask for a spotter. Above 200 lbs I need the psychological assurance that someone is there to help when I go for broke. You can do more than 4, ur just skeered, which is ok cuz u don't wanna get hurt.

 

[PWR]

I use the rule of thumb that if I can do 6 reps without assistance its time to add weight. I use this on almost every thing and it has helped me over the years with a good bit of size and strength. If you can get 4 reps, stay at that weight range until six is attainable. Them move up. Having someone behind you is your personal preference, but counting a rep that they assisted you on only hurts you.

 

[Blane]

the moment someone else touches the bar in any way. other than a lift off. or to guide you back into the rack it does not count as a rep imo

 

[AAden]

I know I can get more than four if someones behind me.

 

[artificialaspirations]

i wasn't referring to being helped w/ reps. just having a spotter so you aren't scared to push it and get pinned.