Message from @ThisIsChris

Discord ID: 411685249366491158


2018-02-07 04:30:56 UTC  

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.

2018-02-07 04:39:56 UTC  

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.

2018-02-07 22:04:06 UTC  

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

2018-02-07 22:04:36 UTC  

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

2018-02-07 23:32:32 UTC  

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

2018-02-07 23:32:54 UTC  

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

2018-02-08 00:44:55 UTC  

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

2018-02-08 01:35:25 UTC  

OHP master race

2018-02-08 02:31:13 UTC  

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

2018-02-08 02:31:23 UTC  

Incline I do once in a blue moon

2018-02-08 02:31:41 UTC  

I just bench, flies, and dumbbell press

2018-02-08 03:12:36 UTC  

Gotcha. Thanks.

2018-02-08 03:22:12 UTC  

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

2018-02-08 03:45:30 UTC  

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).

2018-02-08 03:46:44 UTC  

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

2018-02-08 03:46:56 UTC  

Let me know if you need me to extrapolate that further

2018-02-08 04:28:54 UTC  

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

2018-02-08 22:13:15 UTC  
2018-02-10 00:49:21 UTC  

@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

2018-02-10 00:49:59 UTC  

Any pain with coughing?

2018-02-10 00:50:12 UTC  

@Olivia M nope!

2018-02-10 00:51:07 UTC  

Any changes in diet?

2018-02-10 00:51:31 UTC  

Nope

2018-02-10 00:52:45 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 00:55:17 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 00:55:32 UTC  

Definitely pushing myself hard on Bench

2018-02-10 00:55:57 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 00:57:39 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 00:58:05 UTC  

An inguinal herniawould be painful

2018-02-10 00:58:19 UTC  

So luckily you aren’t in pain

2018-02-10 00:58:51 UTC  

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?

2018-02-10 00:59:20 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 01:00:34 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 01:00:40 UTC  

Thanks @CJ-NJ/NY

2018-02-10 01:00:57 UTC  

No prob hope it works!

2018-02-10 01:01:55 UTC  

I'll write an update later!

2018-02-10 01:02:16 UTC  

Feel better. Please do.

2018-02-10 01:15:59 UTC  

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)

2018-02-10 01:26:25 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 01:26:38 UTC  

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

2018-02-10 01:27:39 UTC  

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