The Birth of The Launch Pad™

As a certified trainer, former powerlifter, and dedicated lifter of over 20 years, I’ve spent more time under the bar than most. I’ve trained in hundreds of gyms, taken countless courses, and used nearly every piece of equipment the fitness industry has to offer. One thing has always been clear: in strength training, it’s not just what you do—it’s how you do it.

Every effective lift begins with setup and stabilization. These are the non-negotiables. Without them, the prime movers can’t fully engage, joints become compromised, and performance suffers. At Advanced Muscle Mechanics, we realized that while training methods have evolved, most equipment still overlooks this foundational truth.

A CRITICAL DISCONNECT

The fitness equipment industry has become increasingly sophisticated, yet the typical end user’s understanding of biomechanics, setup, and form hasn’t kept pace. We saw a widening gap: manufacturers designing for movement patterns, but not for the prerequisites of those patterns, setup and stability. As a result, many athletes unknowingly operate with compromised mechanics, leading to poor results, steep learning curves, and increased injury risk.

THE PROBLEM: THE BENCH PRESS IS BROKEN

The bench press is often hailed as the king of upper body lifts, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood and injury-prone. Unlike the deadlift, where setup cues are widely understood and coached, benching is deceptively complex and rarely taught with biomechanical precision.

Flat benches, the industry standard for decades, lock the scapula in place, restrict natural shoulder movement, and place the shoulder joint in mechanically vulnerable positions. ABA sports physiotherapist Ulrik Larsen has cited the flat bench as the most common cause of shoulder injuries in the gym, primarily due to how it impedes scapular mobility and forces the humeral head into unsafe ranges of motion during pressing ^{(Larsen, 2020)}.

Research supports this: studies show that scapular retraction and stability are essential for shoulder safety and optimal pectoral activation ^{(Duffey, 2008)}. Yet most benches don’t support these fundamentals.

THE SOLUTION: THE LAUNCH PAD™

We designed The Launch Pad™ to fix what traditional benches ignore—setup, stabilization, and scapular freedom.

The Launch Pad is the world’s first ergonomic exercise bench pad engineered to:

• Enhance strength and power output
• Reduce joint stress and injury risk
• Support anatomically correct pressing mechanics

It’s not just a pad, it’s a biomechanical upgrade to your entire training system.

WHAT MAKES THE LAUNCH PAD™ DIFFERENT?

CHAMFERED & FILLETED SIDE PANELS

Traditional flat benches block scapular movement. This forces the ball of the shoulder into unsafe positions as the scapula can’t protract or retract properly. The Launch Pad’s chamfered side panels allow natural scapulo-humeral rhythm during pressing, unlocking the full contractile range of your pecs while drastically reducing shoulder strain and impingement risk.

“Flat bench pressing restricts scapular motion, pushing the humerus into horizontal hyperextension and hyperflexion—two of the most common mechanisms behind shoulder injuries.”
—Ulrik Larsen, ABA Physiotherapist ^(6,7)

ADJUSTABLE LUMBAR SUPPORT

The Launch Pad’s lumbar support system elevates the sternum and supports the lower back, automatically placing lifters in the optimal arched posture recommended by elite coaches and clinicians.

“Arching your back helps center the humeral head in the socket, improving shoulder mechanics and muscle engagement.”
—Tony Bonvechio, CSCS ⁽¹⁾

By elevating the chest and positioning the head and shoulders slightly lower, The Launch Pad forces proper pectoral alignment. This shifts the mechanical leverage onto the pecs, where it belongs, and off the shoulders and triceps, improving both safety and hypertrophic stimulus.

POWER OPTIMIZATION THROUGH FULL BODY STABILITY

Leg drive is often overlooked but is critical to maximizing force transfer during the bench press. The Launch Pad increases the surface area and ergonomic contact points for the back, hips, and scapula, creating a rock-solid base to apply leg drive more effectively.

“The kinetic chain in the bench press begins at the feet and ends at the upper back. The legs, hips, and lumbar spine all contribute to force transfer.”
—Mark Rippetoe, Starting Strength ⁽⁹⁾

JOINT CENTRATION & MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY

Dr. John Rusin describes proper joint centration as the “magic position,” where muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia are aligned to provide maximum strength with minimal risk ⁽¹⁰⁾. The Launch Pad naturally guides lifters into this position, stacking the joints (wrist over elbow, elbow over shoulder) for optimal force production and minimal shear.

“When joints are aligned like poker chips—stacked, not sheared—you get maximal output and minimal wear and tear.”
—Coach C.J. Murphy, Elite FTS ⁽⁸⁾

BUILT-IN TEACHING TOOL FOR COACHES & PRACTITIONERS

For personal trainers, physical therapists, strength coaches, and athletic departments, The Launch Pad offers a massive instructional advantage. Its design cues proper setup by default, accelerating learning for beginners and correcting bad habits in experienced lifters.

From barbell bench to machine-based pressing, The Launch Pad improves consistency, minimizes coaching cues, and supports safe biomechanics rep after rep.

VERSATILE. COMPATIBLE. PORTABLE.

The Launch Pad is engineered to fit on:

• Flat, incline, and decline Olympic benches
• Adjustable benches (FID)
• Plate-loaded or selectorized machines
• The floor—for movements like floor press, glute bridges, or ab work

Setup takes seconds. No tools required. Strap it on. Train. Unstrap. Fold it. Bag it. Go.

Wherever you train, take it with you for performance on the go.

VIDEO: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE LAUNCH PAD™

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REFERENCES

1. Bonvechio, T. (2019). STACK.
2. Boyce, L. (2021). Bodybuilding.com.
3. Duffey, M. (2008). Penn State.
4. Heid, M. (2016). Men’s Health.
5. Kazmaier, B. (1981). Dynakaz.
6. Larsen, U. (2020). Rehab Trainer.
7. Larsen, U. (2008). Sports Injury Bulletin.
8. Murphy, C. (2019). Elite FTS.
9. Rippetoe, M. (1985). Starting Strength.
10. Rusin, J. (2021). T-Nation.
11. Sutton, B. (2021). NASM.