I’ll be running a slightly modified version of the HLM template starting next week. One thing I’m considering doing is subbing out the close grip bench sets on day three for regular paused bench sets. Would anyone strongly recommend against that? I figure the variations are in there to help manage fatigue by way of slightly lower weight and fewer reps, but I’m thinking if the fatigue isn’t too much, there’s no other major reason not do comp bench a second day. Does that sound reasonable to folks?
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but if you want to try it, it won’t kill you. It’s not that big of a change.
I think another benefit of supplemental variations is not only fatigue management, but also to promote more strength gains by exposing yourself to novel (yet specific) stimulus. From my understanding there’s some data suggesting that humans learn physical tasks faster when exposed to multiple learning tasks at once. This is a big reason why a typical BBM program will have something like: Comp Squat, Pause Squat, Leg Press as the 3 squat movements in a week, instead of something like: Heavy Comp Squat, Medium Comp Squat, Light Comp Squat.
I wouldn’t recommend replacing closegrip with another Comp Bench, but like Sean said, it won’t kill you or be bad or anything. So do what ya want 
No kidding? That’s a really interesting concept.
I dig it. Based on the feedback I’m getting here, I’m going to keep close grip and forego the second comp bench slot. Thanks, ya’ll!