Topic: Pictures: Dmitry Klokov and Yevgeny Chigishev

[Aaron Webster]

I was just curious as to how often world class lifters do exercises such as the bench-press and how it benefits their lifting,
                                             Thanks, Aaron

[Shawn Thomas]

If u already have the flexibility condusive for o-lifting, the occasional bench work should'nt affect your performance. I would say some lifters throw the exercise in if they are trying to put weight on. If i'm not mistaken, I have seen incline press work listed on the basic USAW template.
 I use the BP during transitional phases(post comp) for my lifters and even sometimes during certain cycles in their training.
 I don't bench because it does affect me, years of BPing created tight chest/shoulders/triceps and anterior pain. My clean&jerk is subpar because of it.
 I find dips/pullups are good alternatives to benching if it is an issue.