Help my friend: He can't gain on bench

[MJBossman]

Every other muscle of his is getting stronger...but his bench isn't going up. He does dumbbell rows with 80s, but is repping about 160 for roughly 5 or 6 reps on barbell bench. He's been stuck at 160 for about 6 months.

He's 6'3" 190.

PS-He only goes halfway down on bench. I told him to go all the way down but he seems hesitant to do so. I rep 295 so what do I know?

I've also told him that if he wants to get stronger, he needs to eat more. He's worried about gaining too much fat on his stomach. He already feels too fat, and he goes running a few times a week.

PS-He stopped doing squats and deadlifts...I've told him all the GOOD things about those 2 exercises too...like how they make your whole body stronger...raise test and GH levels...etc.

 

[bigstve12]

youve answered your own question bro...his form sucks, he doesn't eat enouogh, too much cardio, and he doesn't train the whole chain...if that doesnt get fixed your looking at a lost cause

 

[Exodus]

yeah......... this thread was kinda useless when you defined his weakness and what to do to correct them in the opening post.

X

 

[Cuthbert]

If he won't listen then don't bother.

 

[MikeyG]

actually bigstve... and MJBossman... you are right about two things, Diet and expending too much energy can deprive you of low glycogen stores and lower explosive power potential.

But, on the other hand, I'm a big advocate of Partial Reps... yes going half down on the bench and other exercises with the absolute maximum weight and rep out for 15-20 reps (short 2-3" movements) can make impressive gains strength gains.

Your body DOES NOT know that if you are doing an "full range of motion" or a "partial rep" it just doesnt! Its just because of the Law of Muscle Fiber Recruitment, and the All or None Pricnipal. Either the muscle contracts, or does not at all. there's no "full contraction, or partial contraction"

Sure full range of motion may be the right way to go, but I suggest going with both, partial reps and full range of motion.

 

[crew9]

actually bigstve... and MJBossman... you are right about two things, Diet and expending too much energy can deprive you of low glycogen stores and lower explosive power potential.

But, on the other hand, I'm a big advocate of Partial Reps... yes going half down on the bench and other exercises with the absolute maximum weight and rep out for 15-20 reps (short 2-3" movements) can make impressive gains strength gains.

Your body DOES NOT know that if you are doing an "full range of motion" or a "partial rep" it just doesnt! Its just because of the Law of Muscle Fiber Recruitment, and the All or None Pricnipal. Either the muscle contracts, or does not at all. there's no "full contraction, or partial contraction"

Sure full range of motion may be the right way to go, but I suggest going with both, partial reps and full range of motion.

Partials have their place and that's as an accesory and shock training to a regular program. Your wasting your time going half way down all the time.

You should also take some college anatomy physiology courses. You'd learn a lot about how muscles actually work.

 

[pwr_machine]

Your body DOES NOT know that if you are doing an "full range of motion" or a "partial rep" it just doesnt! Its just because of the Law of Muscle Fiber Recruitment, and the All or None Pricnipal. Either the muscle contracts, or does not at all. there's no "full contraction, or partial contraction"

Uh...what? Where are these fibers recruited from? Chest, triceps, shoulders, lats? Now does the body know the difference between full range and partials?

Sure full range of motion may be the right way to go, but I suggest going with both, partial reps and full range of motion.

If your body doesn't know the difference, please explain why you suggest doing both?

 

[d3track]

just put your foot in his ass
if he doesn't want to do it then, let him be
he can go do circut training of something
he may just be a lost cause

 

[sconoscuito]

ehh i got the same damn problem...

 

[slobberknocker]

Leave him be. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.