Lost my gains

[ZacTargac]

6 foot 165 lbs.

During fball over summer i was benching around 155-165 about 8x with about 3-4 sets of that.

I took a break when fball started and I lost my gains.
I strugged to even put up 135.

Maybe cause i have long arms and my grip was bad or?

What can i do to get my gains back and increase my bench press.

Goal is to be benching 225 by may

 

[AMGETR]

Eat Train Sleep Eat

Repeat

No gear for you until you're benching at least two plates without breaking a sweat.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

5x5 is a good way to get old strength back quickly. Pick a weight you can do, and increase each week.

 

[BlondBomber]

No gear for you until you're benching at least two plates without breaking a sweat.

WTF? I think that gear should come into the picture when a lifter is a little more advanced than benching 225.

 

[ZacTargac]

I told my friend that my goal was to hit 225 by april or may.

He said it would be impossible even if i was on juice and lifited 6-7 times a week.

My friend on the other hand is a know it all and thinks he knows everything but doesnt.

COuld i obtain this or what do you guys think i might be benching by then.

-Zac

 

[BOOEY]

If you stay consistent, eat enough, and get a good amount of rest, of course its possible. Every lifter needs at least one goal, otherwise whats the purpose? If you were benching 165 during the summer, you should be able to get that strength back in a matter of weeks if you stay consistent. If you're just concerned about hitting 225, then a program like 5x5 would be best.

 

[WalkingBeast]

No gear for you until you're benching at least two plates without breaking a sweat.

WTF? I think that gear should come into the picture when a lifter is a little more advanced than benching 225.

Feel the same way, but thats just a personal prefference. Im right around 400lbs on flat bench and slightly behind that on inclines, close to ten years training and still havent gone on gear. You see alot of skinny kids or beginners shooting up almost immediately. They usually end up looking like shit and lifting like shit. A good amount of gains can be obtained naturally, but it takes alot more patience. I think it helps build a much stronger foundation though. When and if I finally do hit gear it shouldnt be a big problem to reach 23" arms. I plan to have a 20" base on the arms before going on anything. Id like to do it in low dosages also, to keep the gains consistent. I only have an inch and a half until I hit 20" cold, so I think theres still alot of natural potential.

 

[WalkingBeast]

6 foot 165 lbs.

During fball over summer i was benching around 155-165 about 8x with about 3-4 sets of that.

I took a break when fball started and I lost my gains.
I strugged to even put up 135.

Maybe cause i have long arms and my grip was bad or?

What can i do to get my gains back and increase my bench press.

Goal is to be benching 225 by may

Im the same way. If I take any amount of time off of chest training I start losing it all. What helped me to get my strength back, and not off myself in the process, was the 5X5 routine on my flat bench day with extra volume. I was benching 315x7 before my back injury at the time. My strength was down considerably so I started the routine with 250lbs. 5 sets of 5 with 250lbs, then whatever else I wanted to do afterwards. Every week Id add 5lbs. This kept me from getting frustrated since I could see consistent progress. After a few months on the routine, my strength was even better then before the injury. Then I went back to my old routine. The weight manages to feel light too, since its only 5lbs more each week. Id reccomend starting with a weight thats a little light, to begin with, then staying on the routine until you reach your old strength level or better. Hope that helps