I use the pyramid routine and it works great for me, especially on bench. I do sets of 8,6,4,2,1 and I try and end up about 15 pounds under my max. When I do this routine consistantly my max continues to go up. I have never been stuck at a certain weight while being consistant. The most I've ever done is 315 1 rep max but then I stopped lifting for like 2 weeks.