Is it ok to lift max weight 1st ?

[pee wee]

i warm up a very light set.

then, hit the heaviest weight and pyramid down with every set.

I do the same.

 

[TheProject]

If you're training for strength, you want to (in general) do heavier weight for fewer reps. On our ME bench days, we always start with the bar and work up from there doing triples until it gets heavy, then switching to singles, working to a 1RM.

That said, we also rarely do a full ROM bench.

 

[JohnnyCoho]

Bob, just like "The Project" said; On ME Bench days if yer training for strength, which I suppose you are since you've posted this in the "Power Lifting" board,...try this out;

2 sets X 5 with just the bar (concentrate on form and getting the blood flowing)
2 sets X 3 @ 95
1 Sets X 3 @ 115
1 Set X 3 @ 135 (Keep doing 3's until the weight feels heavy then drop to single reps, this is just an example)
1 Set X 3 @ 185
1 Set X 1 @ 205
1 Set X 1 @ 225
Keep going up till you've reached your 1 Rep Max,..at this point you may only want to jump up in 10# increments

Also read this article by Dave Tate; http://www.testosterone.net/html/body_115b600.html

Your bench will go up!!