Isn’t he simulating a decline press on a flat bench with his back arched so much? That would explain why he is able to lift more wouldn’t it, because I know I can do a lot more on decline than on flat.
now that is an arch!
talk about bending the rules…
sorry i could’nt resist
What’s the use of pressing with such an arch, other than looking stupid while doing it? I imagine it would be bad for your back,
and shoulders too.
And his butt was off the bench, so why is it still a good lift?
[quote]Sick Rick wrote:
What’s the use of pressing with such an arch, other than looking stupid while doing it? I imagine it would be bad for your back,
and shoulders too.
And his butt was off the bench, so why is it still a good lift?[/quote]
The arch shortens your stroke considerably. I think I use more pec when benching with an arch. Using an arch allows me to bring the bar lower to the bottom part of my sternum, rather than my nipples, which results in less shoulder stress.
His butt was touching the bench (the lower part of his ass, anyway). Once you are set up, your butt can’t come off the bench; that doesn’t mean you actually have to be putting weight on your butt. My butt will touch the bench, but I don’t put any considerable weight on it. The weight is mostly balanced between my shoulders and my feet.
[quote]Sick Rick wrote:
What’s the use of pressing with such an arch, other than looking stupid while doing it? I imagine it would be bad for your back,
and shoulders too.
And his butt was off the bench, so why is it still a good lift?[/quote]
An arch allows you to decrease ROM, and engage your back in the pressing as well as the pulling.
An arch should be a side effect of setting your back. I have a great arch for a big guy, but its because i can also keep my back tighter, longer than many people.
From that angle its hard to see if his butt was actually touching. It looks like you can see shadow but no daylight. Also, not to ruffle any feathers, but in that federation…not a surprise to see.
that was sick…made my back hurt from just watching it, but good for him
Thats a legal lift? His ROM was like 8 inches…
[quote]Cron391 wrote:
Thats a legal lift? His ROM was like 8 inches…[/quote]
Read the rulebook- WPC/APF, IPF, AAU, etc. None of them require a minimum arch. As long as your butt (and head, in some feds) is in contact with the bench, it’s cool.
Besides how is it cheating any more than being born with short arms- or having a big fat gut.
I think it would be better if those who are not at all familiar with competitive bench pressing would maybe avoid the temptation to contribute their opinion on the legitimacy of a competitive bench press.
[quote]Stronghold wrote:
I think it would be better if those who are not at all familiar with competitive bench pressing would maybe avoid the temptation to contribute their opinion on the legitimacy of a competitive bench press.
[/quote]
x2
If you’re asking why someone would arch like that, or wondering what he could do with “proper” form(flat backed), you probably don’t have much experience with competitive benching.
The guy is doing a bench press competition. He is benching with “proper form” (assuming his butt stays on the bench and his feet are they way they should be). Think whatever you want about an extreme arch like that, but I don’t see how that is any different from having a big belly, short arms, or a top of the line bench shirt. You use whatever you have to your advantage.
I was expecting too see a female powerlifter benching with a freakish arch. I was disappointed to see some dude.
At any rate, I wish I had a monster arch like that.
We should have a contest for biggest arch on T-Nation.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
That’s insane. My friend can arch over a foam roller without touching it, but that…
…that’s just insane.[/quote]
Hah I tried that… and failed…
[quote]buckeye girl wrote:
Stronghold wrote:
I think it would be better if those who are not at all familiar with competitive bench pressing would maybe avoid the temptation to contribute their opinion on the legitimacy of a competitive bench press.
x2
If you’re asking why someone would arch like that, or wondering what he could do with “proper” form(flat backed), you probably don’t have much experience with competitive benching.
The guy is doing a bench press competition. He is benching with “proper form” (assuming his butt stays on the bench and his feet are they way they should be). Think whatever you want about an extreme arch like that, but I don’t see how that is any different from having a big belly, short arms, or a top of the line bench shirt. You use whatever you have to your advantage.[/quote]
x3
I was going to say something, but I figured I’d read all of the posts first. Glad someone beat me to it.
Seriously, how much of an arch should he use? Just half of it, 2/3?
i’m impressed that he could keep his whole torso tight. he must have put in a lot of time and hard work to develop a set up like that…
do competitive power lifters practice yoga to increase their bench arch? looking at the video makes me think it could be useful
[quote]youngblood52 wrote:
do competitive power lifters practice yoga to increase their bench arch? looking at the video makes me think it could be useful[/quote]
The more flexible lifters – usually the lighter weight classes – do work on back flexibility and increasing their arch.
It’s really just a matter of getting the most bang for your buck. A lifter has to decide if the increased pounds gained through a bigger arch is worth what it may compromise in other areas, if anything.
[quote]dpower wrote:
is that even a legal press? i thought your butt needs to be on the bench[/quote]
Would depend on the federation. IPF/USAPL legal – nope. Only the top of his hamstrings are on the bench, not his butt.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
The arch shortens your stroke considerably. I think I use more pec when benching with an arch. Using an arch allows me to bring the bar lower to the bottom part of my sternum, rather than my nipples, which results in less shoulder stress.[/quote]
I have never wanted to be a bar so bad in my life. Stop it pushmepullme.
Looks absolutely retarded. Why not just move up a weightclass instead of bending your spine like friggin gumby. Whatever though, it passed at that competition and he probably won in his weightclass, props I guess. Then again, like firebug mentioned, it wouldn’t pass in IPF.
[quote]ab_power wrote:
Looks absolutely retarded. Why not just move up a weightclass instead of bending your spine like friggin gumby.
[/quote]
To win?
And since when is powerlifting about how you look?