Head up when benching

[Java Man]

As a competitor i advise NOT to bring your head up, great way to tweak the shit out of your neck/back.

Keep in mind powerlifters use their entire body to lift the weight they arch to turn the lift into a decline bench which lets you use addition muscles hence making it easier.

If you are trying to build muscle do not arch, i keep my feet on the bench 90% of time to prevent this ass and shoulder blades planted

I see some guys at my gym i could do a dive roll between them and the bench and not even touch. drives me nut!

I'll add that competitive powerlifters are trained professionals who are doing that during a competition. What you don't see are these people doing their everyday training - the 99.2% of the rest of the year when they aren't trying to break a record. They don't arch their back daily. They know how do do it when it counts, even at risk of injury, and know how to minimize that risk while getting every ounce of power out of that single day that may very well keep their family fed.

A race car driver doesn't drive his street vehicle on public roads like he's driving Le Mans.

[largerthannormal]

I do agree and I know, like i said I compete as well so I do see it. A few of the guys who compete with me arch daily ( not saying its smart)

Of course the flat bench is only a small part of what i use to train to lift the weights i do..

I'll add that competitive powerlifters are trained professionals who are doing that during a competition. What you don't see are these people doing their everyday training - the 99.2% of the rest of the year when they aren't trying to break a record. They don't arch their back daily. They know how do do it when it counts, even at risk of injury, and know how to minimize that risk while getting every ounce of power out of that single day that may very well keep their family fed.

A race car driver doesn't drive his street vehicle on public roads like he's driving Le Mans.