Is arching your back bad when benching?

A | It’s actually healthier if you maintain a slight arch while bench pressing because your lower back is naturally curved. … “If your spine is completely flat on the bench, your shoulders will roll forward,” he says. Arching is not only healthy; if done right, it can also enhance performance.

Why are people benching with an arched back?

Arching while bench-pressing shortens the distance the bar needs to travel, if only by a little, making it easier to move more weight. An arch creates more full-body tension than lying supine on a bench, which better activates your quads, glutes, shoulders, and core muscles — all of which help you move more weight.