If your goal is to bench press the maximum amount of weight, you’ll benefit from reducing ROM by arching your back. There’s no evidence to suggest that arching your back increases risk of injury. In fact, the incidence of obtaining an injury from powerlifting is similar to other non-contact sports (1.0-4.4/1000 hours of training). Track and field athletes showed an incidence rate of 2.4-3.3 injuries/1000 hours of training. In comparison, American football resulted in 9.6 injuries/ 1000 hours of training (article linked in comments) ✨Arching your back while laying down doesn’t directly load the spine. There’s no weight compressing down on the spine like the squat or deadlift. However, holding a heavy barbell in your hands certainly loads the shoulders! Arching your back while benching allows you to use your upper back muscles by pulling your shoulder blades down and back into a more stable position. ✨The goal of powerlifting is to lift the most weight possible. If you don’t compete in...