Is benching twice a week enough?
Olivia Hensley
Updated on March 06, 2026
Increase the Frequency of Your Bench Press
Experts say hitting each muscle group twice a week will pay massive muscle-building dividends. On that note, I suggest you do the bench press twice weekly so you can improve this skill over time. This frequency will allow you to master the movement and form.How many times should I bench a week?
If you want to add bench presses to your weightlifting routine, try to perform bench presses only 2 to 3 times per week. Give yourself at least 1 day between doing bench presses to allow your muscles to recover. The number of reps you perform per session depends on your fitness goals.Is it OK to bench once a week?
For maximum recovery you should only train each body part once per week with an optimal workout split. If you still think you need to bench two or three times a week, see mistake #1.How often should you bench press?
If your goal is increasing bench press strength and upper body mass, then generally speaking, it appears that upping your bench press frequency to 2, 3, 4, and maybe even 5 times a week can be a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals.Can you bench 405 naturally?
If you want to bench 225, 315 or 405, you probably won't get there by missing that weight over and over again week in and week out. You'll get it by spending a lot of time, effort, sets and reps with a lot less weight. If your goal is 300 or 315, you'll likely need to spend a lot of time benching in the 200's.How Many Days A Week Should You Bench? (Optimal Bench Press Frequency)
What is the average bench press?
Statistics show that the average, untrained man should be able to bench press at least 135 pounds. In terms of physical fitness, however, “average” can be a tricky word. Multiple factors, such as body type, weight, and overall fitness level, play into how much a person can bench press.Is doing chest once a week enough?
You can work your chest up to three non-consecutive days a week. However, if you're lifting heavy weights (enough that you can only complete six to eight repetitions), you'll need at least two to three days of rest before you perform the exercises again.Does bench press make your arms bigger?
While the bench press will not likely grow your biceps, it can give us bigger arms by growing the triceps. The triceps play a big role in the bench press as they are more active in the lockout portion of the lift because they function to extend the elbow. They are also more active in the closer grip bench press.Should I bench press once or twice a week?
Increase the Frequency of Your Bench PressExperts say hitting each muscle group twice a week will pay massive muscle-building dividends. On that note, I suggest you do the bench press twice weekly so you can improve this skill over time. This frequency will allow you to master the movement and form.