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Home » Programs » Lift Specific Program » Bench Press Workout Program

Best Bench Press Programs

A bench press program is a training routine designed to increase an athlete's upper limit strength in the bench press. A typical program will include benching two to four times per week while training the competition bench press and bench press variations.

Below you'll find links to the most effective bench programs on Lift Vault. Most of them feature free spreadsheets that you can make a copy of and use for training.

The 9 Top Recommended Bench Press Programs

  1. Kizen 12 Week Bench Press Program
  2. Candito Advanced Bench Press Program
  3. Kizen 6 Week Bench Peaking Program
  4. Russian 6 Week Bench Press Peaking Program
  5. Brad Gillingham 12 Week Bench Program
  6. Sling Shot Bench Press Program
  7. Mdisbrow Deathbench Program
  8. Greg Nuckols 28 Programs (Recommended: 3x Intermediate Medium Bench Press Program)
  9. Benching the Monolith

Bench Press Resources

  • Bench Press vs Incline Bench Press
  • Bench Press vs Dumbbell Bench Press
  • Bench Press vs Chest Press
  • Bench Press vs Dips
  • What is Suicide Grip?
  • Decline Bench Press Benefits & Muscles Worked
  • How to Bench Press with Perfect Form
  • Bench Press Alternatives

Want more? Search the Lift Vault Program Library!

Search the Lift Vault Program Library to find the exact program you're looking for based on many criteria (e.g. experience level, days per week, and much more).

The latest bench press programs are available below.

6 Week Patrik Nyman Prilepin Bench Press Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 23, 2024

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Block Periodization, Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Strength

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

This is a 6 week week bench press program based upon the Prilepin chart. As it only utilizes two bench press training days per week, I’d probably recommend it for more advanced bench pressers that are not able to recover from three bench press training days per week.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Programs

Squat frequency: 0
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 0
Overhead press frequency: 0

Bench Press Pyramid Workout Program Spreadsheets

By Kyle Risley
Last updated December 29, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 10, 12, 4, 6, 8

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Strength

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Bench Press Pyramid Program

A bench press pyramid is a method of bench press training wherein volume starts high with low intensity and ends low with high intensity. This pyramid shaped change in volume and intensity can occur within a single training session or across multiple training sessions.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 4 Week Bench Press Programs, 4 Week Programs, 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, 8 Week Bench Press Programs, 8 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Programs




Tiger Shark 6 Week Bench Press Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated August 11, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Peaking, Powerlifting, Strength

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Tiger Shark is a 6 week bench press program for intermediate and advanced level lifters. It was created by Nik D (@niklas.damb). As it only programs for the bench press, it is recommended that this is combined with a squat program and a deadlift program. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Programs


Bench press frequency: 3

Overhead press frequency: 3

Empire Barbell High Frequency Bench Press Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated January 29, 2024

Experience level: Advanced

Weeks: 5

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

This is a high frequency, up to 5 training days per week, daily undulating bench press program shared by Empire Barbell. It is a peaking program for the bench press that aims for the athlete to achieve a new one rep max in 5 weeks.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 5 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Programs
Tagged With: 3 Day Workout Plan, 4 Day Workout Plan, 5 Day Workout Plan

Bench press frequency: 3, 4, 5

Sling Shot Bench Press Program Spreadsheet – 5 Week

By Kyle Risley
Last updated December 18, 2019

Experience level: Advanced

Weeks: 5

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

This is Mark Bell’s 5 week Sling Shot bench press program, also known as the “Stronger in 30 Days” program. It’s a relatively straightforward bench-only program that gradually decreases volume while increasing intensity before attempting a new PR on week 5. Pretty classic linear periodization leading into a peak. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 5 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Strength Training Program


Bench press frequency: 1

6 Week Russian Bench Press Peaking Program (3 Day)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated November 8, 2021

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Hey TikTok! Welcome to Lift Vault.

Any questions, please drop it in the Russian Bench Press Program discussion thread or email me. Good luck increasing your bench press!

To your continued gains,

Kyle

Overview

This is a no nonsense 6 week bench press peaking program styled after the infamous Russian Squat Routine. It is a 3 day bench press program that accumulates volume around 80% to 85% of a lifter’s 1 rep max before tapering down volume and increasing intensity. It ends with completing two singles at 105% of the lifter’s beginning 1 rep max.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 3 Day Workout Plan, 6 Week Workout Plan

Bench press frequency: 3

Candito 6 Week Advanced Bench Press Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Following his advanced deadlift program and advanced squat program, Jonnie Candito’s advanced bench press program is a bench-focused program for athletes looking to bust through stubborn plateaus. The program is explained in great detail in this PDF. I have pulled out some of the most important parts in the below overview [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 6 Week Workout Plan



Benching the Monolith Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Powerlifting, Strength

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Benching the Monolith is a version of Jim Wendler’s Building the Monolith program that focuses on, you guessed it, the bench press. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 3 Day Workout Plan, 6 Week Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

GZCL Jacked and Tactical (Bench + Squat Only)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Block Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Strength

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

This is a variation of Tactical Barbell programming combined with the GZCL program framework. It only programs the bench press and squat movements. Deadlifts are not included. This is ideal for athletes that are either unable to deadlift or looking to focus primarily on improving their bench press and squat. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 12 Week Bench Press Programs, 12 Week Programs, 12 Week Squat Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Squat Program, Strength Training Program
Tagged With: 12 Week Workout Plan, 3 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 3
Bench press frequency: 2

Overhead press frequency: 3

Weightrainer Peaking Programs #1 and #2 Spreadsheets

By Kyle Risley
Last updated October 1, 2019

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 11, 12

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Weightrainer.net published these two peaking programs: one designed especially for the bench press (#1) and another program (#2) for squat, bench, or deadlift.

The two programs are pretty similar, but here are some key differences: [Read more…]

Filed Under: 11 Week Programs, 12 Week Bench Press Programs, 12 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Deadlift Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Squat Program

Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1

Dan Alexander 10 Week Powerlifting Peaking Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 10

Periodization: Block Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

10/1/19 Edit: Fixed the rounding and added support for lbs and kgs! 🙂

Dan Alexander’s 10 week Powerlifting Peaking Program is designed to improve the 1RM of the squat, bench, and deadlift by 5%. Spread across the three lifts, this can result in a sizeable boost to a lifter’s total on the competition platform.

This program is a hybrid of Korte’s 3×3 program and Verhoshansky’s Soviet peaking routine. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 10 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Deadlift Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Squat Program
Tagged With: 10 Week Workout Plan, 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 2
Overhead press frequency: 2

Tom McCullough 14 Week Peaking Powerlifting Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated October 1, 2019

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 14

Periodization: Block Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Edit: Updated to support lb or kg rounding.

This 14 week peaking powerlifting program is similar to many other old school peaking programs on Lift Vault: 1x weekly session per lift, descending reps, increase intensity and a 5-10% 1 rep max increase at the end of the cycle. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 14 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Deadlift Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Squat Program

Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

Classic 9 and 12 Week Powerlifting Peaking Program Spreadsheets

By Kyle Risley
Last updated October 1, 2019

Weeks: 12, 9

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

As old as time itself, these peaking programs can be run for squat, bench, and deadlift when preparing for a powerlifting meet. Both seek to improve your 1 rep max by 5% after the end of the cycle.

The differences between the 9 week and 12 week peaking cycles can be seen below: [Read more…]

Filed Under: 12 Week Programs, 9 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Deadlift Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Squat Program

Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

Scott Warman 10 Week Bench Press Peaking Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 10

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Scott Warman’s 10 week bench press peaking program is a bit different than many bench peaking programs in that it focuses on improving the 2RM by 10 lbs. 1RM improvements are saved for meet day. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 10 Week Bench Press Programs, 10 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 10 Week Workout Plan

Bench press frequency: 1

Ken Lain’s 10 Week Matrix Bench Program Spreadsheet (Original + Modified Versions)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 10

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

The Original Matrix and Modified Matrix bench programs were designed by Ken Lain to help peak his bench press.

While both versions calls for a heavy and light bench day, the original version is much more aggressive in its  programming, especially on heavy days.

For this reason, most athletes are recommended to start with the “modified matrix” version. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 10 Week Bench Press Programs, 10 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 10 Week Workout Plan

Bench press frequency: 2

Ed Coan Program: 12 and 14 Week Peaking Program Spreadsheets

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 12, 14

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Ed Coan, arguably the GOAT of powerlifting, has a few popular programs floating around, including the Coan Phillipi Deadlift Routine. Here are two popular powerlifting programs in 12 and 14 week versions. Rep schemes for each program are included below the spreadsheets. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 10 Week Programs, 14 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Deadlift Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Squat Program
Tagged With: 10 Week Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1

6 Week Soviet Peaking Powerlifting Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020

Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Linear Periodization, Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Update: Spreadsheet now rounds weights to the nearest 5 (lb) or 2.5 (kg).

This 6 week program is designed to help peak the bench press, squat, or deadlift. It is based on training twice each week: once heavy, once light. After 6 weeks, it aims to increase your 1 rep max by 5%.

It was designed by Soviet coach Yuri Verkhoshansky and described to John Abdo, who brought it back to the USA. It has been described as “intense.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Deadlift Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Squat Program
Tagged With: 6 Week Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 2
Overhead press frequency: 2

12 Week Bench Press Peaking Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated October 2, 2019

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 12

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

This is another old school bench press peaking program spreadsheet. It attempts to add 20 pounds onto the lifter’s 1 rep max by the end of the cycle, which is pretty ambitious. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 12 Week Bench Press Programs, 12 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Programs


Bench press frequency: 1

6 Week Power Bench Press Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Written by John Robbins and published by Dennis B. Beis in an early 1990’s issue of Natural Bodybuilding, the 6 week power bench press program is a peaking program designed to end the 6 week cycle with a new 1 rep max.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 6 Week Workout Plan



Cube Predator 6 Week Bench Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 17, 2020

Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Brandon Lilly’s Cube Predator program is a successor to the Cube Method, which is a 4x weekly powerlifting program with a “back to basics” approach to training.

Instead, Cube Predator focuses primarily on the bench press and bench accessories, allowing it to be “plugged in” to other programs. It focuses on additional volume and frequency for more advanced lifters. It is a 6 week program.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 6 Week Workout Plan

Bench press frequency: 2

Overhead press frequency: 1

Frequently Asked Questions about the Bench Press

How do I increase my bench press one rep max (1RM)?

If an athlete is trying to increase their one rep max in a relatively short period of time (e.g. 4 to 8 weeks), then a bench press peaking program is most effective for increasing the 1RM. If the athlete is trying to increase their 1RM gradually over time, then the answer depends more heavily upon the development stage of the athlete. Novice lifters likely do not need to be concerned strictly with the bench press and should progress all lifts on any well designed beginner powerlifting program. An early intermediate should still see regular progress on a linear progression program like Madcow 5×5 or Texas Method. Later stage intermediates will likely need to introduce more variation in rep ranges and intensity, such as with Greg Nuckols Medium Load Intermediate 3x Weekly Bench Press Program.

How many days per week should I bench press?

The bench press uses smaller muscles than other compound movements like the squat or deadlift and therefore can be trained more frequently. Novice lifters should start out benching two or three times per week, while many intermediates respond well to benching three or four times per week. It’s generally best to start on the lower end of these ranges (so if you’re a novice, starting at two bench press sessions per week) and seeing how the movement responds. If plateauing occurs or approaches (i.e. reps become very difficult to complete, even if they are not missed) then adding another bench press session to the training week can be an effective strategy for continued progression.

What are the best bench press accessory exercises?

The best bench press accessories are the ones that help an individual athlete improve their bench press. Often times, simply adding additional volume on the bench press is enough to improve an athlete’s one rep max. Still, accessory movements can be productive more helping work through an athlete’s sticking point (i.e. the point at which they “miss” a rep). Athletes that miss off the chest can benefit from accessories that place additional emphasis on the lower portion of the lift, such as the spoto press, t-shirt press, or pin press. Athletes that miss in the lockout portion of the lift, around midway through the concentric portion of the lift and up, often benefit from close grip bench press and other tricep strengthening movements.

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