never understood why people do that. I was always taught to go to ‘positive failure’ meaning that you do as many reps as it takes till you can’t do another one. Typically don’t do that on my first set tho, just pic a weight to warm up with.
I think starting with a lighter weight might help you. I do 135 for 12 to warm up, a set inbetween and then finish with 205 for as many as i can (two right now lol). I actually tipically don’t go to ‘failure’ on my first set, just pic a weight.
oddly enough, i always have a harder time with the bench machine and can’t do as much as i usually can with free weights.
I don’t know if that is really true for everyone. plus i’m guessing you are under 30 yrs old