Maybe. A lot of people say that but, powerlifters bench a lot of weight for a lot of years. The strongest powerlifters are aged average 40-45 (O-lifters it's 20-25). So, yes, they're more concerned with upping the weight but, in my view they're also experts at benching safely i.e. preserving their joints to keep them lifting a lot for a long time.frogbyte wrote:That seems to be a video on how to bench competitively? Ie, all he cares about is upping the weight safely, as opposed to general strength? Rippetoe doesn't advocate nearly that extreme of a back arch.KPj wrote:You should watch this video on how to bench - it's great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh3t6T-nqP0
Rip does advocate a tight back and popping the chest up so, you can take a middle ground and get a tight upper back but not push the arch too much. The biggest danger in the PL-Style competition bench is more on the lower back when an extreme arc is used than anything else. Just keep the lower back in it's natural arch.
Personally I always teach a tight arched upper back with elbows tucked. With the beginners that train with me, when they set up and say they're ready, I either shove their ribs with my hand or I shove my knee into their ribs to push them (not hit them!). If they wobble I make them re-set.
I honestly don't see any reason to bench with elbows flared and a flat back.....
KPj