Heavy, multi-set training builds the most strengthStrong evidence
In 178 studies of 5,097 people (45% women), heavy multi-set training 3 times a week ranked first for strength. Across 28 studies, heavy and moderate loads raised one-rep max more than light loads, and in 21 studies light loads built similar muscle but less one-rep max. The ACSM's 2026 overview found strength rose most with at least 80% of your best, a full range, 2 to 3 sets, the lift early in the session and at least 2 sessions a week.
Sources 2, 24, 25, 1
More sets help, with diminishing returnsStrong evidence
In 67 studies, more weekly sets brought more strength, but the extra gain shrank sooner than it did for muscle size. In 9 studies of 223 men, 5 to 9 or 10 or more weekly sets of an exercise built a little more strength than 5 or fewer. In 34 trained men, 1, 3 or 5 sets per exercise 3 times a week built the same bench strength over 8 weeks.
Sources 4, 3, 26
How often matters mainly through setsStrong evidence
In 22 studies, more sessions a week brought more strength, but not when weekly sets were the same. In trained men with sets matched, 3 or 6 sessions a week gave the same bench gains (7.8 against 8.8 kg in 6 weeks), and similar upper-body gains (4 against 6%) in a second trial.
Sources 27, 5, 13
Failure isn't neededStrong evidence
Across 15 studies, training to failure added nothing for strength, and stopping short did better when volume wasn't matched. Strength gains were similar across a wide range of reps left in reserve, and in 64 trained men, ending bench sets anywhere from the first slowed rep to a 50% slowdown built the same strength over 8 weeks.
Sources 6, 28, 7
RestEmerging evidence
In 23 studies, more than 2 minutes' rest suited trained lifters' strength, and 60 to 120 seconds was enough for beginners. In 21 trained men, 3-minute rests built more bench strength than 1-minute rests.
Sources 29, 30
Changing the reps through the weekMixed evidence
Periodised training raised one-rep max a little more than unvaried training in 18 studies, and in 35 studies with matched volume, changing the reps through the week beat a steady climb, with the benefit seen in trained lifters but not in untrained ones. In 18 college powerlifters, a week ordered muscle, power, then strength raised the bench more than the reverse order. But the ACSM's 2026 overview found no consistent benefit, so any gain is small.
Sources 31, 9, 32, 1
Adjusting the load on the day, bands and chainsMixed evidence
Setting the weight on the day by how hard sets feel, or by bar speed, gave strength gains similar to fixed percentages in 21 trained men and in two reviews of 6 studies each. One analysis of 27 trials ranked bands and chains and two on-the-day methods above fixed percentages for squat strength, and a 2026 review found bands and chains added a little maximal strength over weeks of training. The reviews disagree, so these are options for experienced lifters, not essentials.
Sources 33, 34, 35, 36, 37
Grip widthEmerging evidence
Medium and wide grips lifted 5.8 to 11.1% more than a narrow grip in 12 competitive bench pressers, and one-rep maxes were 109.8, 108.9 and 103.7 kg with wide, medium and narrow grips in 14 trained men. In a computer model of 10 lifters, grips under 1.5 times shoulder width cut the load on the joint at the outer end of the collarbone, and a review lists grips wider than that among the suggested causes of shoulder injury.
Sources 38, 39, 40, 41
The archMixed evidence
In 15 highly trained lifters, the arched one-rep max was 4.2 kg higher, though the likely range ran from no difference to 8.4 kg; in 11 powerlifters there was no difference (115.9 against 115.7 kg). In 20 experienced lifters at moderate weights, the arched style used the lats more and the flat style put 8% more load on the shoulder.
Sources 42, 43, 44
Touch-and-go and the pauseEmerging evidence
In 113 adults, touch-and-go one-rep maxes were about 8% higher than presses started from the chest. Competition benches are paused: the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) requires the bar held still on the chest until the referee says "Press".
Sources 45, 46
Breathing at the sticking pointEmerging evidence
In 24 men doing a one-rep max bench, a braced, held breath or packing in extra air got the bar through the sticking region faster, a plain held breath didn't help, and breathing in on the way up lowered the weight they lifted.
Source 47
Full range builds the full liftStrong evidence
Across 16 studies, full-range training built more strength than partial range, and in 50 trained men, full-range bench pressing beat two-thirds and one-third ranges over 10 weeks.
Sources 48, 49
Partial presses as an extraEmerging evidence
In 16 trained men, 4 weeks of heavier-than-maximum partial bench presses on boards raised the one-rep max as much as full-range training. Partial training builds strength mostly near the range you train, so it adds to full benching rather than replacing it.
Sources 50, 10
Push-ups build bench strengthEmerging evidence
In three small trials, push-ups raised bench strength as much as bench pressing did: 23 men over 4 weeks, 30 trained students with banded push-ups over 5 weeks, and 18 men over 8 weeks.
Sources 51, 52, 53
Assistance movesMixed evidence
No assistance move, from the close-grip bench to the pin press, has a training trial showing it raises the bench. Adding arm exercises to pressing and pulling didn't add arm strength in 20 trained men or 29 untrained men. In a lab study of 27 trained people, the close-grip bench lifted less than the normal grip but moved the bar faster.
Sources 11, 12, 54