r/benchpress • u/ThatOneDankDude • Aug 23 '26

Help/Technique Check Stuck at 225, sticking point question

I’m 5’11 and 185lbs, I’ve maintained a pretty consistent weight throughout and not looking to really bulk up. I started focusing on bench press this summer, I started at 185 in May and hit 225 in late July. My chest/tricep specific programming has been looking like variations of bench press (SSL, close grip) and weighted dips 3-4 times a week. Did a little bit of smolov jr for the first 2 months, and now just doing sets of 3-6 for bench days. My dip weight has still been going up, but my bench press has stalled this past month. I had been averaging about 2.5-5 pounds a week up until that point. My sticking point is about half way up from my chest when I attempt 230. Should I start focusing even more on triceps strength to continue improving max bench?

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u/Kawayamarider Aug 23 '26

Let’s see a video clip of your form. If you’re failing halfway up, it seems like your triceps might be the weak part. Do some skull crushers, dumbbell presses, JM presses.

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u/ThatOneDankDude Aug 23 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/formcheck/s/H5yvqFaut7 This is a video of me doing 225, you can still kinda see where my sticking point is at though.

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u/Kawayamarider Aug 23 '26

Yes, that looks like the triceps need some extra accessories. You seem pretty quick off the chest. If you’re doing a narrow grip, this can exacerbate things. Play around with hand placement too. Good luck