Bench Press
Duration: 15:00
4 Sets:
4 Bench Press
- Rest 20 Seconds -
3 Lying Medball Chest Throws, 14 / 10 lb
• Build In Weight To Technical Failure
• Aim for ~77-85% of 1RM
• Rest 2-3 Minutes Between Sets
Score: Heaviest Load
ABSOLUTE STRENGTH & EXPLOSIVE POWER
STIMULUS
- Overview: This is the third week of our 5-week Super Power strength cycle. The intent of this cycle is to improve absolute strength & explosive power through contrast training. Over weeks 2-4, loading increases gradually while pairing heavy lifts with fast, explosive movements.
- We're contrasting heavy bench press with light medball chest throws to stimulate power development. BE EXPLOSIVE in your medball throws. Moving with as much speed as you can is what stimulates the body to become more explosive.
- The barbell must reach full lockout at the top and touch the chest at the bottom of your reps. Ensure you make it to full lockout on your final rep before re-racking.
- If you don't have a spotter, do not use collars on the bar for safety in case you miss a rep and need to dump the bar.
- Your working sets should land within the suggested percentage range. A rough estimate of where you might complete these reps is at 77-85% of your 1RM bench press. Though we're building in weight, we're not building to a max set. You should be able to move smoothly through all reps without pausing or grinding through the last few reps.
- Fitness Attributes Improved: Absolute Strength & Explosive Power
STRATEGY
- Aim to have 5 points of contact at all times when benching: feet flat on the ground, hips/glutes on the bench, shoulders in contact with the bench, head firm and stable against the bench, and a full grip on the barbell.
- Grip width should be near shoulder width, varying 1 inch in or out as desired.
- Better training and strength adaptations will come from controlled reps.
SUBSTITUTIONS
BENCH PRESS
- Sub Dumbbells
- Floor Press
- Weighted Deficit Push-Ups
- Strict Press
LYING MEDBALL CHEST THROWS
- Kneeling Medball Chest Pass
- Plyo Push-ups
MOVEMENT PREP
5 Inchworm to Push-Up
10 Glute Bridges with Pause at Top
10 Push-Ups
10 Empty Barbell Bench Press
5 Bench Press @ A Light Weight
3 Bench Press @ A Moderate Weight
Build to Starting Weight