Possible chest plateau with 5x5/5x3 what to do now?

[CobraUTAH]

I've been working hard for many months on chest trying to build up to an eventual 1RM of 315 I'm currently at 305. Three weeks ago I did 5x3 all me of 270, then I maxed out on bench two straight weeks. Last night I tried to move up and do 275 for 5x3. This is how it went.

275x3 all me
275x3 1 helper
275x3 1 helper
275x3 2 helpers
275x3 2 helpers

Why was this weight so much harder? Was it because of the maxing weeks that took away from my regular training routine? Was I still not recovered from the two weeks of maxing?

Should I stay with the 275 and try to get better at sets of 3 with it or should I drop weight? I'm going to give 315 another shot the first week of February so I want to stay heavy and get ready for it.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Drop the weight a bit, then in a couple of weeks move up as you normally would. You should break 275. Either that, or lower it to 3x5, then 3x3.

 

[General Sus]

Try throwin in some rest pausing or forced reps on your last set bro it might push you past your plateau.

 

[needsize]

the above suggestions could work. What I would normally suggest is go back to whatever weight you plateaued on for 5x5, and begin the process again, but I know you have specific strength goals so that might not be the way you want to go

 

[CobraUTAH]

NS I would do that because I know that is the way the system is supposed to work, but in my current situation I don't have the time. Sounds crazy still but I really need 315 by the end if this month.

 

[CobraUTAH]

NS or others here is really my biggest question. I want to begin dieting after I hit the 315 max because I feel I will need every bit of extra weight and size to get it. If for some reason I don't get 315 at the end of this month could I still train 5x5 and eventually get it in another couple of months the whole while be dieting and dropping bodyfat weight? I was planning on altering my 5x5 chest from flat to incline barbell, but I could hold off until I reached the 315 if and only if I could still make strength gains and achieve that weight while dieting. So basically am I crazy to keep putting off the diet in fear of getting weak or is that still a good general idea that you loose strength on a clean strict diet.

 

[Assertive Guy]

...

Needsize, how important would u say the 2*8's are in the 5*5 workouts?? I dont seem to gain loads more nor get a pump on these lower rep schemes. And I skip the 2*8's. Any thoughts??

At this rate of answering questions, you could write a book haha.

 

[TheOak84]

do speed bench for a few weeks. it works for me. also, the rest pause, forced reps, and negative combo works great..

 

[Debaser]

5 lbs is quite a bit to add to the bar when you're failing, that's why..

 

[George Spellwin]

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