15# PR. I’ll take that.

Wendler 5/3/1 program, cycle 26, week 3

• Work Set – Bench Press (working max: 235#)
  • 45 x 5
  • 45 x 5
  • 95 x 5
  • 135 x 5
  • 185 x 3
  • 205 x 1
  • 225 x 1
  • 245 x 1 (PR)
  • 255 – miss
• Face Pulls (superset with the bench press warm-up sets)
  • 35 x 15 x 3
• Seated cable rows
  • 100 x 12 x 5
• A bunch of light rope-handle pressdowns, and bb curls
• Foam Rolling

In my quest to total 1000#, again I opted to make today’s work up be more for the test and not so much another “workout”. I make some simple jumps to get warmed up and then just hit singles. I wanted to have as much as possible to put into the max attempts.

My goal was 245. My previous best was 230. The 245 went surprisingly well. I figured why not try for 255. The math says that’s my actual 1RM (255-260 depending what formula you use), the 245 felt good, and hey… if I make it, that helps towards my total. Awesome.

Well, the 255 didn’t happen. Came out fine. Went down fine. Got about half-way up and everything went south. I’m not sure where it fell apart first, but I do know my left leg kicked out, my right suddenly took everything on and my right hamstring started to cramp, I pushed all I could and did manage to rack it, but there’s no way this was a legit lift. So, doesn’t count. Still, I’m glad I tried it. One missed lift doesn’t tell me a lot, but I figure if I keep working my close-grip bench presses with an emphasis on lock-out, build up my triceps more, and keep working on technique, I’ll get there.

I think technique is the bigger reason for my success, because the foot tuck is working a lot better for me. I think I might be zeroing in on a foot placement that works to keep my butt on the bench yet still give me the drive. So… great. Just gotta keep at it and find the right spot, and then how to index it so I can find that spot every time.

Anyways, finished out the day with a little back and arm work, and called it.

I am happy with how things went. Benching 245 is another one of those things that I never thought I’d do. Getting to 275 then 315… it’s just a matter of time now; doesn’t seem like an insurmountable goal.

But before I care about that, it’ll be time to deadlift. The goal is 440#, to hit 1000 total. I’m there, dude.