"Arching is not just a trick to reduce range of motion, but a method to anchor the shoulder and use the legs to fortify upper back stability. Instead of jamming the scapula into maximal retraction, lifters should aim to lengthen the neck and spread the collarbones wide to create a larger, more stable footprint on the bench pad."

Dave Tate revisits a 2004 classic and asks the question all over again: why do we do this to ourselves?

To effectively train for strongman loading events in a commercial gym, former pro Russ Hamilton recommends focusing on the posterior chain by simulating heavy object picks with movements like the Zercher squat. These exercises, along with variations like the Wool row, allow athletes to develop the necessary upper back strength and hip drive required for events like Atlas stones or sandbags without needing specialized equipment.