On fitness debates about long-term progress in the gym, the question of whether bracing or arching is better isn’t the main issue. It’s easy to compare it to arguing whether a potato qualifies as Paleo, whether high-rep Olympic lifting has real value, or which is smarter: Tracy Anderson or a ham sandwich.
It’s a potato. It grows in the ground. The broccoli you eat wasn’t around in the Paleolithic era, and I’m pretty sure Gronk and his friends didn’t crush Paleo brownies back in the day.
I’d trust a coach who advocates high-rep Olympic lifting as much as I’d trust a Formula One driver who drives a Prius.
Do we really need to debate this one?
Still, the split between bracing and arching—especially when lifting heavy weights and aiming for peak performance—has heated up in recent years.
As a coach who works with a wide range of athletes, from beginners to professionals, and whose job is to keep people healthy for the long haul, I lean toward bracing.
In my latest article for T-Nation I explain why.
