For optimal strength increases the research conclusively supports low reps with heavy weight vs.
Bench press heavy weight low reps.
High reps with light weight but high reps can still elicit gains in strength as well.
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This percentage of 1 rep max translates to about 6 12 reps per set.
But high weight and low reps is not the best approach for building muscle.
Why does this work.
If your goal is increasing bench press strength and upper body mass then generally speaking it appears that upping your bench press frequency to 2 3 4 and maybe even 5 times a week can be a.
A high rep group which lifted at 30 50 of their one rep max for 20 25 reps a set and a low rep group which lifted at 75 90 of their one rep max for 8 12.
3 x 3 do 3 progressively heavier warm up sets of 3 reps follow by your work set incline bench press.
On the intense end of the spectrum powerlifters and many competitive bodybuilders pair very low reps 1 to 5 with extremely heavy weights 90 95 of their one rep max.
Train like a bodybuilder.
Younger men are typically able to bench press more than older men and men in general.
If you re looking to maximize muscle size target 8 12 reps per set on average and choose multijoint movements like the bench press squat overhead press bent over row and deadlift which recruit more total muscle mass than single joint moves thus allowing you to lift heavier weights.
The average weight most adult men and women can bench press depends on age fitness level and other factors.
In 2016 researchers divided athletes into two groups.
One study from the journal of strength and conditioning research showed that when a slow lifting tempo and lighter weight was used 5s concentric and 5s eccentric 55 1rm activation of the chest was reduced by up to 36 during the bench press when compared to lifting with a faster tempo and heavier weight subjects instructed to lift as fast.
3 x 3.
1 for example in one study 23 cyclists were placed into high resistance low repetition lr low resistance high repetition hr or cycling only groups for a.
Military press 3 x 3 perform at least 2 warm up sets standing dumbbell press.