I have always found the key is slow steady progression, i.e. every time you repeat a workout try to do an extra rep, when you get to a certain number of reps, up the weight by the smallest increment the next time and reset the reps, repeat. I'm more impressed by the guy who's benching 135, then 140, then 145, etc. than with the guy who comes in and benches 225 year after year after year.
If this plan requires you to grunt and scream and piss yourself then that's what you have to do I guess.