Arnold press versus shoulder press

[davidow4]

Hi all, it's shoulder and back day for me tomorrow. I just wanted to ask has anyone seen any difference in doing straight dumbell shoulder press opposed to Arnold press.
I have tried both, I usually do standing shoulder press followed by using a heavy kettle ball for upright rows followed by kneeling bent over row using dumbells.
Anyway back to the question, who has seen better gains from doing Arnold press?
All the best.

[davidow4]

Hi all, it's shoulder and back day for me tomorrow. I just wanted to ask has anyone seen any difference in doing straight dumbell shoulder press opposed to Arnold press.
I have tried both, I usually do standing shoulder press followed by using a heavy kettle ball for upright rows followed by kneeling bent over row using dumbells.
Anyway back to the question, who has seen better gains from doing Arnold press?
All the best.

OK I thought it was a stupid question!

[cowboybiker]

Anyway back to the question, who has seen better gains from doing Arnold press?

Arnold.

[dunemonkey]

I go back and forth. Arnold takes a lot of the chest out of it, so I suspect that's why some might like it better? I have kind of gravitated more toward whatever version of lifts allow me to push more weight, and in this case, it's going to be normal presses. As long as you're doing them correctly and intensely, it's probably dealer's choice.

[davidow4]

I go back and forth. Arnold takes a lot of the chest out of it, so I suspect that's why some might like it better? I have kind of gravitated more toward whatever version of lifts allow me to push more weight, and in this case, it's going to be normal presses. As long as you're doing them correctly and intensely, it's probably dealer's choice.

"Arnold takes a lot of the chest out of it"; that's what I was thinking, the Arnold may hit the entire shoulder more rather than reaching the pecs as well.

[scullin]

Lately I have done a 'modified Arnold press' that Joe Defranco teaches. The way he does it is almost the opposite rotation of a regular Arnold press. Seems to hit the rear delts pretty good along with the sides. Can't go nearly as heavy with Arnold type of presses because of the rotation obviously. I'd think they hit the rotator cuffs to an extent as well.

[ironwill2008]

IMO, "Arnold" Presses waste a good bit of energy in twisting and spinning dumbbells around, energy that could be much-better applied to simply lifting heavier dumbbells straight up and back down.



Again IMO, the best shoulder exercise for bodybuilders is Seated Dumbbell Presses, 3-4 sets of 6-8 reps.




As an aside, Arnold was known back in the day for spreading "advices" that he knew would lead his competitors astray.

[Get-n-fit]

As an aside, Arnold was known back in the day for spreading "advices" that he knew would lead his competitors astray.

Lol, this is true, I remember an interview with him where he was talking about another guy showing him some of his poses prior to competition and Arnold told the guy his poses looked great when he knew in reality they were horrible!!

[ntrllftr]

IMO, "Arnold" Presses waste a good bit of energy in twisting and spinning dumbbells around, energy that could be much-better applied to simply lifting heavier dumbbells straight up and back down.

Again IMO, the best shoulder exercise for bodybuilders is Seated Dumbbell Presses, 3-4 sets of 6-8 reps.

.

I agree with 99% of this because I would say the barbell instead of dumbell. That's just me though.
However, I would not ditch the arnold presses altogether and maybe do them once in a while.

[scullin]

Lol, this is true, I remember an interview with him where he was talking about another guy showing him some of his poses prior to competition and Arnold told the guy his poses looked great when he knew in reality they were horrible!!

"You have to scream when you pose. It's the latest thing."

[davidow4]

Lately I have done a 'modified Arnold press' that Joe Defranco teaches. The way he does it is almost the opposite rotation of a regular Arnold press. Seems to hit the rear delts pretty good along with the sides. Can't go nearly as heavy with Arnold type of presses because of the rotation obviously. I'd think they hit the rotator cuffs to an extent as well.

That sounds interesting, I will give this a go as well.

[jett69]

do both, not at the same day. keep your body guessing. I like to switch my routine every 4 weeks.

[pharmamarketer]

Arnold presses are a waste of time IMO. No reason to twist weight like that. As IW said consider the source.

[Jtbny]

Arnold presses are a waste of time IMO. No reason to twist weight like that. As IW said consider the source.

This is my opinion as well. I also don't like turning my shoulders while pushing something above my head. Having had shoulder problems for awhile Im probably overly protective now.

[Kingthumper]

I just recently start doing standing OHP, opposed to seated OHP. I'm liking it, it has a much different feel and takes some some additional core strength and balance. Though I'm humbled in the drop in weight I can push up compared to doing seated barbel OHP.

I would give preference to barbel press movements, followed by traditional dumbbell presses before playing with Arnold presses. Just my opinion.

[-=FLEX=-]

IMO, "Arnold" Presses waste a good bit of energy in twisting and spinning dumbbells around, energy that could be much-better applied to simply lifting heavier dumbbells straight up and back down.

Agreed.

"back in the day" a lot of people did Arnold presses for shoulders and also a lot of people did a similar movement on DB presses for chest; rotating the DBs so they were parallel to each other. I got in the habit of doing both exercises this way.

Can't remember who told me, but someone said exactly what Bill just said "you're better off using heavier weight and pressing straight".

Been doing conventional DB presses for shoulders and chest ever since.

[MilSpec4Life]

I personally think if you are going to be doing lateral raises than skip the Arnold and do military press.