you need to max out guys...if you want to hit and gain more weight on the bench you must max out...anyone should know that...im 17 and i play football for my school and im currently interested in body building...i weigh 180 and max out at 250..im only 5'5...im trying to hit 300 by this summer...and i believe i can do it...maybe even before then...but like i said if you want to gain weight on the bench you must max out...if you do 200 for 8 reps...thats good but thats only recommended if you want to tone out and build some muscle...but if you want to gain strength fast you must max out and im pretty sure thats final...