I can't pass 235 on the bench..

[Look its Puck]

First thing I suspect when I hear someone plateauing is their diet. What's your diet like? If you're not feeding your lifts, they won't feed you back. Simple as that.

If that's not the case, I'd like to know what exactly you're doing routine wise. I think your typical strength routine will take care of your plateau. Steady progressions every week. Keep your form. You'll do fine.

This is why I like the 5x5 routine, go at it for as long as you can until you start getting shakey with your form, then start it back over, build that strength base back up for the first few weeks, then hit it hard in the intensification phase.

Everything works, just not for long. I strongly suspect a thing that limits a lot of experienced lifters is their diet. There comes a point where it's just too damn difficult to eat as much. But that's why we live the lifes we do. It's all a challenge, just break through it.

Good luck, man! I'm about to start over a 5x5 myself.

 

[Jayhawk21]

Just eat more. I may be the only one, but nothing I really do in the gym matters as long as I work out hard and do compound movements. You know, as long as you aren't one of those fags that does billions of curls and isolation exercises and wonders why he can't gain weight, eating more should do the trick. I was just a girl before about what I ate. I listened to all the BS about eating perfectly clean. When I stopped caring as much, I started gaining alot of weight and strength. I've only done one mini cycle of orals and I gained 17 pounds, and lost it all when I went on spring break. This summer and fall I just started eating more, everything in sight, carbs, fats, don't matter. I now gained all that weight back and then some. I am just as strong as I was when I was at the end of my one and only cycle. I suspect I may have a tad more body fat, but I really don't notice much difference. My pants and waist seem remained the same after I put on those 18 pounds.

 

[Inhibitor13]

Work on your incline press and decline press...as well as close grip. Did wonders for me.

But on another note..The whole long arm short arms bit, this never really bothered me when people would use it as an excuse to why their not benching a lot BUT the other day I had some guy said that the reason I was benching 315 (way more than what he was benching) at 5'7 180lb is because my arms are smaller than his. I got pissed inside but just played it off.......what I really wanted to say was, "NO, the reason im benching more than you is because I bust my ass off more than you." Just pisses me off, all the hard work and dedication I do just gets shutdown for some skinny fuckheads lame excuse for his weakness...

 

[pepsijoe87]

I would probably work more on the technique aspect of the bench press. arm positioning is very critical and even the strongest lifters struggle with form. this could put more press on you joints and not allow your muscles to get the full benefit of the exercise.fffff

 

[str8cubano]

well, took your advice guys. Now I am 245. One week an extra 2.5 on each side, last week an extra 2.5 on each side. I am eating more as well. I guess its all a matter of eating and "wanting to progress". One thing though, Although I did work through the pain, my right bicep started aching on the way down. I know this was due to a drunken arm wrestling fest a year ago, and the doc said nothing was wrong just give it rest. I have rested it, and do bicep curls just fine with heavy weight. But when the weight starts kicking on the bench press on the way down, it hurts like hell..but nothign I can deal with..

 

[AEKDB]

well, took your advice guys. Now I am 245. One week an extra 2.5 on each side, last week an extra 2.5 on each side. I am eating more as well. I guess its all a matter of eating and "wanting to progress". One thing though, Although I did work through the pain, my right bicep started aching on the way down. I know this was due to a drunken arm wrestling fest a year ago, and the doc said nothing was wrong just give it rest. I have rested it, and do bicep curls just fine with heavy weight. But when the weight starts kicking on the bench press on the way down, it hurts like hell..but nothign I can deal with..

Good to see that you are eating more. I think this was your biggest problem. As you progress in your bench you should also try to increase your squat and deadlift.