Arching while overhead pressing or bench pressing is a controversial topic in the weightlifting world. We will be addressing the safety of arching, ways you can improve your mobility for overhead pressing, and how chiropractic care can help improve it!
Safety First – Is Arching a Safe Lifting Practice?
Let’s talk about safety first. We get asked this all the time: Is pressing or benching with a purposeful arch really safe? The answer is yes — when it’s done correctly.
Here’s why. When all your stabilizers — shoulders, core, and hips — are fully engaged, this position actually protects your body.
Why does it work? Retracting your shoulder blades creates a more stable upper body. This stops your shoulders from internally rotating under load, which is a major risk for injury.
But it doesn’t stop there. Solid core stability — which should be a goal for every lift — gives your spine even more protection.
Obtaining a Stable Arch
So now, how do you go about getting into this arched position? The degree of said arch and the goals with it may be athlete specific. If you’re a powerlifter, obtaining as great an arch as you can will give you an advantage in competition. If you’re someone casually working on your bench or overhead press, getting a feel for a comfortable range of extension may be sufficient.
Working on your thoracic (upper back) range of motion can help to improve your arch. There are a variety of movements that you can utilize to help improve how well your back moves. Here are a few of our favorite exercises:
Still Struggling – Time for Advanced Intervention
While these movements are great to help increase thoracic mobility you may be having restrictions in the joints of the spine that are preventing you from obtaining a good, pain free arch. Chiropractic care, like what we do in our clinic, can help to “free up” joints and muscular tightness and restore proper joint range of motion. Some of the tools that we use include: spinal manipulation, soft tissue mobilization and therapeutic exercise.
Arching while pressing overhead is a technique used to create a stable base to press from and to help keep your shoulders safe from injury. If you have more questions about arching while pressing or need help with finding a pain free arch, give us a call 314.892.8009 or schedule an appointment with our doctor!
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