A photo taken of Ted Arcidi in his prime:
In 1985 he became the first man to bench 700 lbs.
Ted Arcidi Historic 705 Bench Press
http://ditillo2.blogspot.com/2013/07/ted-arcidis-bench-training-dennis-b-weis.html
Ted Arcidi:
How He Developed a Record Bench Press
(1985)
[...]
Dennis: Lat pulldowns and the press behind neck seem to be important parts of your program. Is there some particular reason for this?
Ted: As I've mentioned, the behind the neck press is a great basic exercise as well as the pulldown. They're very good for EXPLOSION . . . that initial explosion of the bar needed for heavy benching. Those two exercises definitely work what's needed to initiate the explosion.
As far as the end of the lockout in the bench, it's a known fact that the triceps do the basic locking out. I'd say they do 90% of the lockout.
Dennis: I notice that you do lying triceps extensions to the nose in a slightly unique way. I will include a photo of that, but could you please explain your method of performance on this exercise?
Ted: Triceps extensions to the nose are the best thing. They're the greatest triceps strengthener I've ever used. You must bring the bar to your nose and then you must bring it straight up from your nose. You don't bring the bar down to your chest and bench it. It's not a benching exercise. You triceps it up, you use your triceps. I feel that the bar-to-the-nose position taxes the triceps to the greatest level.
[...]
Dennis: You seem to favor sets of six reps frequently in your workouts. Are 6's really that important?
Ted: 6's are great, you get good endurance and strength. I feel that 6's are the greatest thing that men ever came across for reps in the bench. With 6's you're away from the heavy, heavy weight, but yet you still have to throw some weight around because it's not exactly light weight. Imagine going for your best six reps. For me that means I've got to get 560-570 pounds. This gives me a lot of tendon and ligament strength. This is a very important factor when getting into the heavy triples and doubles later. Because of the endurance and increased lung capacity from the 6's, you'll be able to blow up those 3's and 2's.
[...]
