BJJ Shawn
Level 6 Valued Member
Hello all,
I have seen people talk about arching in bench press on multiple platforms, and there are haters for sure, but there are valid reasons for using an arch as a powerlifter. Even without being a powerlifter, some arch changes the angles in a way to make it safer and/or easier to bench press. My question is, does it actually help with general strength when it comes to transferring to other activities?
For instance, if you can add more weight to the bar, that should help you get stronger. But if in doing so you cut your ROM down to 3-4 inches instead of 12-16 inches, is it really going to help you get stronger for other activities? I've see some small people bench with a HUGE arch and wide hands, and they can meet the rules of a powerlifting event without bending their elbows. Great, they found a way to win, but if someone is not interested in competing, that seems to me like it would do a disservice in pursuit of strength.
What do you think? If you're not a powerlifter, do you get more upper body strength by keeping a small arch, or is it still better to work on mobility and try to get a bigger arch?
I have seen people talk about arching in bench press on multiple platforms, and there are haters for sure, but there are valid reasons for using an arch as a powerlifter. Even without being a powerlifter, some arch changes the angles in a way to make it safer and/or easier to bench press. My question is, does it actually help with general strength when it comes to transferring to other activities?
For instance, if you can add more weight to the bar, that should help you get stronger. But if in doing so you cut your ROM down to 3-4 inches instead of 12-16 inches, is it really going to help you get stronger for other activities? I've see some small people bench with a HUGE arch and wide hands, and they can meet the rules of a powerlifting event without bending their elbows. Great, they found a way to win, but if someone is not interested in competing, that seems to me like it would do a disservice in pursuit of strength.
What do you think? If you're not a powerlifter, do you get more upper body strength by keeping a small arch, or is it still better to work on mobility and try to get a bigger arch?