Michael Collins

The longer your arms, The lower your elbows, The harder it is to bench press... Just have to eat more, lift more and be consistent! 95KG for 5s at 183.5lbs (83.25KG).

@benljohnson1996 @80 Excellent post, like your channel 👍

If I wanted to bench press 3 plates in 2026 here is exactly how I would do it 1️⃣ Bench press 3-4x per week 1 heavy day 1 moderate intensity day 1-2 lighter days 2️⃣ Lots of peak intensity Each day has some form of top set; 1-3 reps @80% 1RM. This does not need to be hard. E.g. one day could be 1x1@RPE6 with a 3 count pause. 3️⃣ Bench variations to target weak points I personally love 3CT paused bench for improving positioning and confidence on the chest + 4-2-0 tempo bench to teach correct arm path and bar path. 4️⃣ Bodybuilding pushed hard 1 horizontal OR vertical press 1-2 tricep isolations 3 delt isolations (front raise, lateral, rear) All for 2-3 sets of 4-10 reps @RPE9-10 5️⃣ Periodise training into blocks Determine block length using time to peak (ttp) then start blocks light and end them heavy +Optimise your bench press technique +Use correct bar path (back then up) +Gain weight slowly

@TheK_Nox Yeah I agree. I like going to near failure every 5 weeks or so on the big 3 for a 2-3rm. Any more frequently and I'm drained.

Get brutally strong at the squat, bench, deadlift by rarely ever training them to failure. Hammer your accessories close to failure to build as much muscle as possible. Both compliment each other well👌

@ajmahler Ah yeah I'm a depth checker too. Very handy having a camera for that

@LeanStrongLife1 I have to watch the heavy squats to check depth 🤷🏼

Not my best work, but still warming up. Do you film your lifts to spot mistakes and weaknesses? Go to Gym!

@ShadowW3lch Thank you mate.

@LeanStrongLife1 Cable rows on bench days. Barbell rows on back days.

Knocked out a few 3 rep sets with 115KG on bench press after squats. Bodyweight 188.5lbs (85.5KG). Conclusion: time to up my rows. Right musculature around the mid upper back feels weak.

@gym_manic Thank you. Got through unscathed 👍

@LeanStrongLife1 Good work👊🏼

@ShadowW3lch Any row you think is best?

@LeanStrongLife1 I added rows into my training on my chest days; Hitting particular part on my back.

@e3zr88 Working on it 👍

@LeanStrongLife1 More

140KG x 4 squat at 188.5lbs (85.5KG). This was 2 more reps and 3lbs heavier than 5 weeks ago. The shallowest rep was still parallel so can't complain. I did bench press too, which I'll post up later. Have a smashing day 💪

@argogearx Taking an extra few rest days this week. Been hammering this bulk since October.

@LeanStrongLife1 are you letting sometimes your whole nervous system to recover for a week let's say sometimes during the week? Often our mindset can go harder, but system needs recovery.

I'm starting to pick up little niggly injuries - - Right lat last week - Right scap yesterday - Right elbow today Last cycle my knee got sore but I backed off before it was a problem. This week I'm cutting the gym to 3 days. Don't train through 'bad' pain.

@ND_DaD701 @StrengthDebates I can only imagine at an advanced level, failing reps is even harder on recovery.

@ND_DaD701 @StrengthDebates Whether it be technical failure (form breaks down) or muscular failure (you just can't move it), missing reps is physically and mentally draining. So not worth it IMO for the average gym dude.

How often should advanced lifters be failing reps?

@ajmahler Flipping nice. 👍

405x1 the fastest I’ve ever done 400+ Belles cause I forgot it in my locker. Might grab the community belt for 425 Go to Gym!

@MarkBski That looked smooth 👍

Old Guys Lift: I've been slouching lately, wondering where my mojo is hiding. But I managed a squat with 285 pounds (130kg). At 64 I'll take it.

It burns. Do any of you use it?

@k_adeyemiai Yeah, I might need an extra rest day or 2

@LeanStrongLife1 Exactly right - I back off when niggles appear. Training through bad pain is a blunder - recovery is strategy, not setback.

@Showorkoutgeek You're right, I don't want a big injury

@LeanStrongLife1 Don't too push yourself, mate.

@gym_manic Depends on which day/week of the training block I'm in. At the end of week 4 and week 5 I'm approaching failure.

@LeanStrongLife1 Yeah maybe you need more recovery 🤷🏼 are you leaving a rep in reserve?