I always find bench press the hardest to judge myself on what weight I can handle. Doing 152.5lbs for my work sets today, 3 sets of 8. I got through 2 so far so here's hoping I can hit all 8 reps of the third set. In the past this is usually where I get stuck, missing the full 8 by just 1 or 2 reps.

Wow, last rep was difficult but I made the whole set. Not sure if I will be able to make a 2.5 increment to the weight next time. I may try to redo 152.5 again, or just add 1.25lbs next time.

Doing heavy incline bench after regular bench each push day helped my regular bench press tremendously, idk why.

something to try, best people to talk to for increasing bench would be the plers though.

Your shoulders might have been lacking in pressing power and the incline bench helped your shoulders catch up

Do you usually fail heavy reps on the bottom or top half of the rom?

I'm a believer in incline bench but can't really tell a difference in doing decline or not. What's your opinion on decline @BigBadSaxon - ID

OHP master race

I don't do decline and haven't done it in years

Incline I do once in a blue moon

I just bench, flies, and dumbbell press

Gotcha. Thanks.

Do bench and dumbbell press more or less target the same muscles? (I do both because DB press is fun)

Bench is better for strength because you can load greater weights, dumbbell will correct any muscular imbalances which is good for injury prevention and symmetry. Barbell works your triceps more, dumbbell works your biceps more (I know it's a pressing movement but studies show high levels of bicep activation in dumbbell press).

Especially if you follow a 4-2 tempo with dumbbell it's really good for hypertrophy due to time under tension

Let me know if you need me to extrapolate that further

@BryceB-ND thanks for that feedback I'll look into that

@BigBadSaxon - ID ty goy

@here I haven't lifted since Tuesday, but all day today and some of yesterday it feels like my upper right abdomen is sticking out. I don't see any outer signs and it doesn't cause pain but it is uncomfortable. Any ideas? Seems kind of similar to this https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7344991, though I don't remember flexing and I don't have soreness, but it does feel tired so it might be spasming a little

Any pain with coughing?

@Olivia M nope!

Any changes in diet?

Nope

Did you ingest a decent amount of sodium in the last couple days?

Also for the record I was doing Squats and Bench, not sure if that indicates anything

Definitely pushing myself hard on Bench

Might be gas. Or you may of just twisted a muscle.

If it’s not causing you pain, perhaps you’re retaining fluid for whatever reason. Try drinking some room temp lemon water for a day or so

An inguinal herniawould be painful

So luckily you aren’t in pain

Hmm thanks Olivia. We did have Indian food on Wednesday. I've had Indian food before, but it's the first time in a long while. Could that have too much sodium?

lol any take out food is bound to be loaded with sodium unfortunately

haha could be the culprit then, I will drink some lemon water. Thanks @Olivia M

Thanks @CJ-NJ/NY

No prob hope it works!

I'll write an update later!

Feel better. Please do.

Thanks again @Olivia M @CJ-NJ/NY I can pretty confidently say it was a spasming muscle now. I put some tiger balm (muscle relaxer on it) and it relaxed right away. I'd say the immediate problem is solved, I'll look up what I can do to prevent muscle strain in the future.
I wonder, do lifting belts help with this particular issue? I'm still fairly new and haven't been using one. I just ordered one since I've been meaning to get one anyway. And lifting shoes (been working in my socks)

Have never focused on PRs but hit 3x3 at 300 lbs on deadlift today and it was pretty ez. Just never attempted that much weight before. Feels good

Do you take supplements? Bcaas or anything like that? @ThisIsChris

@Olivia M nothing except whey protein powder. Do you suggest anything?