Incline Bench Press on the Beginner Template

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Dear Dr. Feigenbaum and Dr. Baraki,

At what angle should I set my incline bench press? I feel like you’re going to recommend that I do either

  1. higher incline if I want to supplement the standing press

or

  1. lower incline if I want to supplement the bench press.

Would I be correct?

The standing press has not been kind to me in phase I of the beginner template. Unfortunately, I don’t own microplates, so it has been hard to progress by adding 1.25kg on each side. On the other hand, my bench has made significantly more progress than my press. Should I do the incline bench at a higher angle to supplement my lagging vertical pressing strength?

As far as goals go, I don’t plan on competing anytime soon or have any aesthetic aspirations. I have had experience with Strength I, Strength II, General S&C, and Bridge 3.0, and I aim to try your Powerbuilding I template after I finish the Beginner Template. Would there be a particular angle you would recommend for someone who will go into Powerbuilding I post Beginner Template?

Sincerely,

Eddie Mun

2

I don’t think it matters if you’re on the Beginner Template, as you’re not really trying to specialize in either the press or bench press and, in this context, there’s likely significantly more carry over from either variation.

Given your template history, may I ask why you’re on the Beginner Template?

For someone on the powerbuilding template, I’d probably recommend a low incline bench press unless there was a strong preference for something else.

-Jordan

3

Thanks for replying, Doc! I had a 5 week hiatus from the gym due to COVID, so I thought I had to do the beginner template, haha.

4

That’s certainly reasonable, however the same considerations for “not specializing” still apply here IMO.

5

Okay! Thanks, doc!!