true arching over flat for big numberDianaB wrote:There are 2 different goals when comparing flat back to arched back on he bench. Flat is fine for bodybuilding, but if your talking about power lifting then you need the arch. If your goal is to lift big numbers, an arch will lessen the range of motion.
If you set up correctly, then it will not hurt your back. Plant your feet wide, arch the back and tuck under your shoulder blades, keeping your butt planted firmly on the bench. The chest will be out and the shoulders stabilized, creating an overall tightness. You can't create that kind of stabilization with a flat back, mainly because you can't tuck the scapula enough without arching.
BUT
In most fed, if not all, we can't arch. Some like me and other guys who are a bit fat or big or simply don't feel comfortable arching back while benching
