Military press for upper chest?

[ol matey]

Cliffs:

Incline bench / DB press / flies leave my neck in serious pain, constantly cracking it over next 2-3 days, stiffness b/w traps. I've tried various form, lower weight, etc, all same result. But if I eliminate them from my routine, I don't want to get that "deflated" look from neglecting upper chest (had it in the past, looks pathetic). I do shoulders on chest day these days... I'm thinking a bigger focus on db press / shoulder press may help to hit the upper chest?

[isavukmaas]

Have you tried reverse grip bench? It's actually super good for upper chest and I read more effective than regular inline bench

[natezyz]

You can also try guillotine press

[escapist]

Have you tried reverse grip bench? It's actually super good for upper chest and I read more effective than regular inline bench

more like good for pain and death

[waffles95]

I second the guillotines... just obviously make sure you have a spotter.

[MichaelCJ]

more like good for pain and death

Say, what are your own personal experiences with this lift, just out of interest?

[escapist]

Say, what are your own personal experiences with this lift, just out of interest?

I once read a thread about a guy who saw a video about a guy talking about a similar lift

[isavukmaas]

You can also try guillotine press

Is that targeting specifically upper? Never tried it!

[ktothewire]

Is that targeting specifically upper? Never tried it!

Yes. But it can be dangerous' you'd want a spotter for sure since you touch your throat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ_AzMM3C2I

[CZMMA]

Every press where your elbows travel close to your body (anteversion) involves the pectoralis maior,pars clavicularis (upper chest).
e.g. shoulder width grip bench press,neutral grip db bench,dips,...

[benjobb]

I don't like the guillotine press, too much risk involved with the rotator cuffs. Maybe try high cable flyes? Cables work really well for my chest.

[miamibodybuilder]

well in my opinion, if you're doing your barbell bench presses correctly, then you shouldnt feel any stress in the chest area. now i've seen many guys pile the weight on the bar, arch their backs, tilt their heads all the way back and yeah, they end up doing incline presses on a military press bench. so technically, you can hit the chest while doing military presses if you're doing them incorrectly. when i do my military presses, the only place i feel working is my delts. i press my back flat on the pad, feet are flat on the floor, head stays upright and the bar travels in front of my body with my elbows focused out in front to support the weight. now, am i able to press 300 plus pounds? no way, the most i've done on the free weight military barbell press is 195lbs for 6 to 7 reps, but that was all shoulders. no chest involved whatsoever. so i would recommend you try to find a type of incline that doesnt stress your neck, or it could be a form issue. good luck

[xStevenx]

Military Press for upper chest? Are you Branch Warren?