Written on August 25, 2009 at 6:13 am, by Eric Cressey
In a given month, this blog will get over 25,000 unique visitors. So, as you can imagine, I get quite a bit of “fan mail.” I recently received this lovely note from a loyal Swedish reader of mine; it’s posted almost exactly as it was received (including incorrect spelling, spacing, grammar, and content, but edited for cursing):
“Eric is a fony , in his book he think bridging is OK so you actually fool yourself that you are lifting big but you just lift the weight 8″.Real athletes lift the weight, in benchpress, with their backs FLAT . Take your skinny bragging as and go f**k yourself . I hope you get cancer.”
My response:
Dear Fan,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful note. It means so much to me to hear from my readers, especially my particularly loyal Scandinavian following. The Germans may love David Hasselhoff, but he’s got nothing on my popularity with the Swedish.
In response to your observation that the weight only travels 8″ on each rep, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that some folks will only move it 7.5 inches because of larger upper bodies. Really, you make such a strong case for your position that I couldn’t possibly come up with anything to refute your argument, so I’ll only bow to your unrelenting knowledge and contribute to your argument.
Certainly, lifting with a flat-back is the way to go. While we’ve evolved over centuries to a posture that has our spine in a S-shaped curve, clearly bench pressing is an exception to the rule, as you so graciously observed. I stand corrected.
Your well-wishes for my continued success are greatly appreciated.
Respectfully Yours,
Eric Cressey
Note from EC: this is a sarcastic response. For more information on why a subtle arch on the bench is useful and safe for bench-pressing, check out this article from Craig Rasmussen. I’d also add that flattening the back forces the thoracic spine to flatten as well, and this causes the scapulae to wing out: not what you want under a heavy load.
A great response by you. The only tragedy is that your fan clearly does not have the mental capacity to appreciate the sarcasm. I have enjoyed it though.
While this guy is clearly a little off on his information, wouldn’t an exagerated curvature of the spine be detrimental to people with lordosis of the lumbar spine?
Don’t judge all Swedes by the same hair (or however you say it)!
I’ve had some great success on your Maximum Strenght program, and intend to do it all over again starting next week!
Will report my progress when its not all newbie-gains. 😉
In a sea of trainers, you’re one of the few that actually makes a real difference in people’s lives, so F**K that guy! We all appreciate the hard work you put into this site, keep it comin’!
I have to admit that I laughed at the end of his e-mail. Most people would have just ended it with “Take your skinny bragging as and go f**k yourself”, but this guy put the extra effort in and even wished cancer on you.
You know you are doing something right when someone on a different continent sends you hate mail.
Eric,
Awesome response. This lug nut obviously has no idea what he’s talking about. Since I made the switch a couple of years ago to arching my back on the bench press I’ve improved my strength and load considerably.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:51 am
A great response by you. The only tragedy is that your fan clearly does not have the mental capacity to appreciate the sarcasm. I have enjoyed it though.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:45 am
While this guy is clearly a little off on his information, wouldn’t an exagerated curvature of the spine be detrimental to people with lordosis of the lumbar spine?
August 25th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Sweden sucks, Finland still loves you! 😉
August 25th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Don’t judge all Swedes by the same hair (or however you say it)!
I’ve had some great success on your Maximum Strenght program, and intend to do it all over again starting next week!
Will report my progress when its not all newbie-gains. 😉
/a Swede
August 25th, 2009 at 9:34 am
“I hope you get cancer”….Wow! I guess he won’t be visiting your gym anytime soon. Great response from you.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Get cancer? This guy’s been watching too much Bruno.
August 25th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
“you know who lives here? a big, fat phony!!!!”
August 26th, 2009 at 6:46 am
In a sea of trainers, you’re one of the few that actually makes a real difference in people’s lives, so F**K that guy! We all appreciate the hard work you put into this site, keep it comin’!
August 26th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Too funny.
“Real athletes lift the weight, in benchpress, with their backs FLAT”
that’s ok, I’m just pretend any way.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I have to admit that I laughed at the end of his e-mail. Most people would have just ended it with “Take your skinny bragging as and go f**k yourself”, but this guy put the extra effort in and even wished cancer on you.
You know you are doing something right when someone on a different continent sends you hate mail.
August 27th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Cancer?! Damn! You are loved EC! lol
I’m so glad that we have people like that pushing the research on training. I think you should bring him in for a seminar.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:49 am
Eric,
Awesome response. This lug nut obviously has no idea what he’s talking about. Since I made the switch a couple of years ago to arching my back on the bench press I’ve improved my strength and load considerably.
Keep up the good work,
Mike