Max Effort Upper: Back In The Bench Shirt After A Year [VIDEO]

After having a year away from the platform and a terrible showing at the 2018 XPC Bench Bash, I'm gearing back up for a multiply bench only competition, the APF Pressing the Pieces Together on April 27th, 2019. This meet helps bring awareness and charity donations for Autism Awareness. I'm looking to compete at 132lbs and just have a good meet back, while running my new gym, THIRST, and rehabbing my low back issues.

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First day of meet prep is in the books! Jumping back in my Metal Jack shirt, and just trying to get a feel of where my bench press is currently sitting. I've got to say, that after not being in my shirt for nearly a year, I've still got some rather good strength in the shirt. I do think I need to get a new shirt, so that is already ordered so that I'll have some time to break it in and train in it some. This shirt is still just a tad loose. All I'm looking to do at this meet is to attempt to put up a PR, and just have a good meet (make smart attempts, have a good training cycle, and keep healthy). Got to say I'm pretty happy with the day as a whole!

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A post shared by Brandon Smitley, MS CSCS USAW (@bsmitley) on Jan 26, 2019 at 4:33pm PST

Items Used in this Training Session

Warm Up Lateral Raises DB Overhead Press Rear Delt Raises DB Bench Press DB Flys DB Skull Crushers DB Rows DB Curls 15 each

A1) Competition Bench Press Worked up to 305x1 raw Added Shirt 345x3 - air boards 375x1 - barely touched 395x1 415x1 435x1

B1) Reverse Monster Mini Band Bench Press with Red Shoulder Saver Worked up to 325x5 - PR!

C1) Rolling Tricep Extensions 3x10 Ramping weight each set

D1) Pressdowns 100 total reps D2) Band Pull Aparts 100 total reps