[Matthew]

bench day - January 18

bench
185x3
205x1
215xF

pull up
angled bars - some
top of squat rack - 6x2

rack press - couple inches off chest
185x5x2

seated row
210x10,9,9

rack lockout - top few inches
225x3x2


barbell curls
95x6x3

standing half presses
40x12x3




Today I learned that I need to pick my spotters more carefully. I was halfway up with the 215 and the bar stopped moving. I tried to grind it out but could only get the left side moving, the right wasn't budging at all. Fought with it for a few seconds and told my spotter to rack it. Guy just wasn't listening. He put two fingers on the bar trying to help me finish the rep even though I specifically said don't help me finish a rep, if I can't make it just rack it right away. I spent so long fighting with it though that even with his help I couldn't get it up. And I said no no, just rack it. Guy wasn't listening. Some other dude was walking by and ran up to us and grabbed the bar and racked it right away, I guess he heard me.
Thank god for that dude. Seriously.

I guess I should've known though. After I got the 205 I racked the bar myself and thanked the guy, and he looked at me and said oh, did you go?



The bench I was using is really thick and really soft. It's also high off the ground, so I have to put a plate where my feet go just to get any kind of leg drive (although it doesn't do much because the bench is so soft).
Next week I'm going to take a free bench, which is the right height but maybe a little thin/hard, and I'm going to put it in the squat rack, and bench that way.
I should've been able to get the 215. I'm hoping just making this change will make the difference.