Swapping OHP for lateral raises .. can it be done?

[melpa64]

I have been lifting consistently for a solid 3 years now, I am veering off into the more physique side of lifting but keeping the foundation of my lifting heavy i.e. incline press, squat etc. I feel as if heavy inclines not only grows my chest but also my shoulders, I also do close grip bench press and work my rear delts twice a week. Is taking out OHP completely a dangerous move regarding shoulder health and do you think you could get bigger shoulders by just concentrating on lateral raises?

I think this topic has been discussed to death however would love to hear from anyone who has made the shift and what your results were as I haven't heard of anyone doing so yet.

Thanks in advance!

[ezjax]

Change your grip to inward.. really saves ur shoulders. Use a bar that allows your palms to turn in toward your body

[Tommy W.]

Taking away compound movements should be done only as a last resort. There are many different ways to perform OHP. Ultimately however no exercise is mandatory

[radrd]

Change your grip to inward.. really saves ur shoulders. Use a bar that allows your palms to turn in toward your body

Do you have a source for this? It seems extremely unlikely that reverse grip OHP is better for your shoulders. More likely it's worse.

[Garage Rat]

Good question.
Yes and no.
Depending on how big your delts are already would be a factor.
Your right that the incline press does involve delts but what are you after when doing inclines?
Most are trying to hit upper chest so shoulders come in to assist aren't a main focus.
Taking out the OHP eliminates the upper arm moving from shoulder level to an overhead position.
Most lateral raises only address a range up to shoulder level.
That's why it depends on your current development.
IMO most bodybuilders could always use a little more width and thickness on the delts.
What you might try are one arm overhead presses with a DB or kettlebell.
Hold the free hand to a rack to stabilize and focus on pressing trying to just use the delt and just go short of lockout.
These are on of my favorites.
If you can use a KB even better IMO because the center mass of the weight is behind the hand making in similar to a behind the neck press without shoulder rotation require on the BNP.
You don't need a ton of sets if your doing other similar but different movement but just enough to hit that more vertical movement.

[Postmort3m]

Do you have a source for this? It seems extremely unlikely that reverse grip OHP is better for your shoulders. More likely it's worse.

Think he means neutral grip

[jk202]

Do you have a source for this? It seems extremely unlikely that reverse grip OHP is better for your shoulders. More likely it's worse.

A neutral grip Swiss bar will almost certainly free up mobility at the shoulder joint. Reverse grip, no

[WolfRose7]

I've barely pressed in over a year cuz I preferred bench. Zero shoulder issues whatsoever.

However am now back to pressing and enjoying it, despite it being ridiculously weak as a result

[radrd]

Think he means neutral grip

Ah, that makes sense, thank you. Agreed that a swiss bar will likely help.

[melpa64]

An arnold press with dumbbells does this? Not sure about it being more beneficial to shoulder health though.

[melpa64]

Good question.
Yes and no.
Depending on how big your delts are already would be a factor.
Your right that the incline press does involve delts but what are you after when doing inclines?
Most are trying to hit upper chest so shoulders come in to assist aren't a main focus.
Taking out the OHP eliminates the upper arm moving from shoulder level to an overhead position.
Most lateral raises only address a range up to shoulder level.
That's why it depends on your current development.
IMO most bodybuilders could always use a little more width and thickness on the delts.
What you might try are one arm overhead presses with a DB or kettlebell.
Hold the free hand to a rack to stabilize and focus on pressing trying to just use the delt and just go short of lockout.
These are on of my favorites.
If you can use a KB even better IMO because the center mass of the weight is behind the hand making in similar to a behind the neck press without shoulder rotation require on the BNP.
You don't need a ton of sets if your doing other similar but different movement but just enough to hit that more vertical movement.

Funnily enough I used to do one arm dumbbell presses alot and they felt good! I have decided take OHP out for a month and see what results I get using side laterals, thanks for the tips!

[melpa64]

Taking away compound movements should be done only as a last resort. There are many different ways to perform OHP. Ultimately however no exercise is mandatory

But I see no added benefit over say an Incline press when it comes to shoulders? Both excersises seem hit them equally hard.