How to press without hurting your back?

[IronCitGrl]

Since I have switched to doing dumbbell overhead press standing instead of sitting (military presses I suppose??) I have been experiencing some pain in my lower back right after I work out. I can't tell if I'm doing the exercise improperly or not. I chose a weight I can do 8 reps and the last two reps get difficult. Maybe I am arching my back or something? How do you prevent yourself from doing this, because I think that is what may be affecting my lower back. I really REALLY don't want to injure my back because I know how bad it sucks. Maybe I am just better off doing this exercise sitting?

[hell0F1ona]

I see a lot of people doing this exercise and arching their back because they are not engaging their abdominals to stabilize themselves. I used to struggle with lordosis - swayback, basically - and went through months of PT to correct exactly this, by learning how to properly engage my abs to keep myself stable. I'd bet money you are "dumping" into your low back by loosening your abs and sticking your butt out a bit. I'd suggest going down a bit in weight and focusing on engaging your core to keep your low back stable. Think about giving a tiny little tuck to your butt and drawing your pubic bone up and forward.

[thepowerwithin]

Not sure why you switched to standing. For me, they are just as effective, if not more, done seated. I have a cervical disk problem and doing them seated on a bench at a slight incline relieves any pressure in my spine. I think I use a tad more incline than shown here.

[IronCitGrl]

I switched to standing so it would work my core but it seems I'm not engaging it at all. I will try lowering weight and doing more reps so I can do this exercise properly. Even the guy seated in the picture above looks like he is arching his back. I really tried not to do that even seated. I used the bench at a completely 90 degree seated angle. I will try tucking my butt instead of sticking it out although squeezing it does help a little.

[bizarrosaurus]

Most people who prefer the standing press over the seated one, do so because it's a more "natural" movement, as in it's a more common one in everyday life.

Lowering the weight to practice proper form sounds like a good idea, also maybe filming yourself to get a good look at what your back is doing.

[Running2live]

Like those above said, lower weight and practice form. Work on core strength.

Also, there's nothing wrong with seated ones.