Classic Press Results

So I tried performing the classic Press as we our convo last week. I did the steps Jordan highlighted where I:

  1. Grip the bar a finger width wider than the knurling
  2. Unrack the bar
  3. Lean back slightly and pull bar down to upper chest
  4. Press and stand up to get under the bar
  5. Bring each rep back down to the same spot on the chest and each rep starts from dead stop.

It added strength to my press immediately. I had previously been doing my sets of 5 at 170 and struggling. Max of 200. Here is 175 for a set of 5. Is this correct?

Nobody have any feedback? I feel like this particular version of the press is not clear as to how to achieve given the Classic Press article only. I mentioned Jordan do a video on it like he did for the bench and he seemed interested. I will say though that this is the first time I tried this and the bar flew up.

I too saw immediate gainz when switching to the classic press. My best in a competition was 185lbs. My best press after switching to the classic press is 195lbs. I think I have some more in me right now and I’m in a few specialization blocks now. We will see if I can hit 200.

Could you point us the article or reference video?

Thanks!

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It seems my pressing has come full circle. Originally, I used to do the “press 1.0” taught in SS 2nd edition and prior. Then I visited a SS coach two months back and he told me to do the 2.0 version and brought my grip with in to create a floating rack. This was annoying for me because the 1.0 was engrained in me. For that reason, I settled for the best of both worlds and did the “press 1.5” Michael Wolf. He had the same issue as me and didn’t want to drop weight to relearn how to press 2.0 better than his 1.0, so he initiated each first rep with the hip thrust like in 2.0, but then each rep after that was done with the 1.0 style and stretch reflex at the bottom. Breaths are taken at lockout when needed. This gave me a few more lbs, but then last week I tried the Classic Press and added 5lbs and a few reps automatically. I’m not sure I’m doing it perfectly, which is why I posted this video, however just the idea of gripping the bar a finger width wider and pulling the bar to the upper chest alone I think are the keys to this version of the press. It helps use more of your chest muscles to start the movement and the bar just flew up. Seems counterintuitive since you’re giving yourself another few inches more to press from the chest as opposed to the floating rack under the chin, but it works!

Let me just update that I did this the other day expecting to do 175 for reps again and instead did 180 for sets of 5! Press is moving

I just changed to this method too, and I’ve had good luck with it - the bar immediately felt lighter.

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I feel the exact same way

I wonder if this could help me with my press. I do sets of 3 when going heavy, and sometimes I can’t get a single rep with 1.0 because of the insane sticking point. I even “artificially bounce” the first rep to get the same stretch reflex as I would get on reps 2 and 3.

Give it a try. Jordan mentions he used the bounce in the past before switching to the classic press. He calls it the Fiegenbounce lol

Analyzing my press patterns, I think mine is closer to a 2.0, or a Feigenbounce, of these options. Floating rack and pull down before rep. I’ll try the Classic Press again next week.

However, I’ve been noticing that my sets of 4 or 5 always seem much weaker than the singles, using the RPE table. Last reps are a struggle, even with what should be low weights. Comparing videos, form seems very much alike. Any hints to reduce intraset fatigue?

Thanks!

I had that issue when I used the 2.0. The classic Press got rid of that for me personally. I’m not a terribly strong presser yet but things have been steadily increasing for me. Hit 205 for an incredibly easy single yesterday and felt I could’ve done 210, maybe even 215.

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Not bad but for better results try lying on a bench while performing the lift instead

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Update: 210 flew up today after sets across at 190. Tried 215 after for fun and almost got it. Lost it at top of head level. Definitely could’ve hit it fresh.