Using Bands for the First Time!

[Ski]

WOW!!!
Let me tell you I've started lifting in the late 60's and then stopped in the early 90's and then been lifting for the past 5 years 2 years heavy again.
I just read about band lifting in the past 3 months and did research on the net on what to do so I have no experience but I bought some bands and started a program today.
I got done my work out felt great, a different pump, a different feeling in the muscles and basically felt good.
I did a ME day and used green bands.
Flat Bench
135 x 10 warmup
225 x 10 warmup
315 x 5 with bands
405 x 5 with bands
455 x 1 with bands 5 sets of this

I could have gone higher but I thought I'd wait till next week.

Incline Bench Close Grip
135 x 10 warmup
225 x 10 warmup
315 x 5 with bands
405 x 5 with bands
455 x 1 with bands
455 x 0 with bands needed assistance
405 x 1 with bands
405 x 1 with bands
405 x 1 with bands
405 x 1 with bands

I did two supplemental exercises
Sitting press down tricep extesions
225 x 10
315 x 10
405 x 8

2 Handed sitting DB Over the Head Extensions
100 x 10 x 3

It was a great work out and a totally different feeling.
I'm a very poor bencher and I still can't get over 400lb bench press but I hope these band workouts get me use to the heavy weight so I can do it.

Has anyone used bands?
Am I working too hard? Not hard enough?
All suggestions and criticism are welcome since I'm very new to this technology of lifting.

[Sonny]

Has anyone used bands?
Am I working too hard? Not hard enough?
All suggestions and criticism are welcome since I'm very new to this technology of lifting.

I use reverse bands, which is what it looks like you did. I do a few sets and only on the main lifts. It will help the top end which most of us are the weakest at, especially is you are using gear. Can't really say how hard you are working because do not know how it feels. My only thought is I would do more reps like 2-3 vs 1 reps as you are trying to build the top end vs displaying the top end in a 1 rep max. Not that maxing out is bad on an ME day, but more referring to all the singles on the incline. Your call though, everyone is different.

It is kinda funny how you say you can't hit over 400 yet so you are a "very poor" bencher, when you are probably stronger than 99% of everyone who goes into the gym. PL have a different perspective on strength, don't we? lol!

[Ski]

Thanks Sonny!
I thought you might have experience on this.
I'll switch up to 2-3 reps next week and try to keep adding weight each week.

As for being a poor bencher, at my weight and only benching 380 is terrible. forget about 2 times the body weight it isn't even 200lbs over the body weight. But yea Us PL do have a different perspective on strength we have to, right?