Behind the neck barbell military press

[IwantTMacsbody]

Ok, I'm currently on a program right now, and it specifically demands that I do not military press behind the neck. I assume the reason being that it's a little bit more dangerous.

So I'm just here wondering if anyone who does this exercise behind the neck experience any major or even minor injuries yet. Thanks.

[jdmalm123]

So I'm just here wondering if anyone who does this exercise behind the neck experience any major or even minor injuries yet. Thanks.

Some do, some don't.

Do the version that works better/safer for you.

[quakebks]

for some wierd reason thats the only way ive ever done it. i prefer to do it behind the neck, but to answer your injury question, no i havent had any injuries.

[IwantTMacsbody]

The thing is, it works the traps and neck better, and that's what I'm after.

[jdmalm123]

The thing is, it works the traps and neck better, and that's what I'm after.

Great!

Then do it as long as it doesn't injure YOU.

[willldabeast]

I do it on smith machine. i like it a lot better behind the head feels like im stretching the front delts as i work them.

[Tyrbolift]

i used to and it did work better but now it hurts a little so I quit.

[spot_skater]

I do it on smith machine. i like it a lot better behind the head feels like im stretching the front delts as i work them.

Me too.

Great exercise.

[oneeightyseven]

I read that smith machine wasn't as effective as using just a barbel, true?

[DJAuto]

i used to and it did work better but now it hurts a little so I quit.

x2.

[spot_skater]

I read that smith machine wasn't as effective as using just a barbel, true?

I agree with that for exercises like barbell bench press, and the squat. But for stuff like shrugs and military press-type motions, like what is in discussion here, I think it's a nice alternative.

Plus behind the neck presses can be unsafe, and the Smith helps alleviate some of those fears, I think.

EDIT: It's not as effective in some movements because it doesn't require any stabilization.

[Mourning Tide]

I do them seated and I like em.

[microrahsheen]

I agree with that for exercises like barbell bench press, and the squat. But for stuff like shrugs and military press-type motions, like what is in discussion here, I think it's a nice alternative.

Plus behind the neck presses can be unsafe, and the Smith helps alleviate some of those fears, I think.

EDIT: It's not as effective in some movements because it doesn't require any stabilization.

If you lift a barbell straight up over your head, you will notice that it actually will follow the curve of your spine and end up somewhat behind you.

The smith will not allow for this natural motion so it could possibly be bad for the shoulders. Depends on what range of motion you use, though. Shrugs have almost no range so using the smith works out pretty good.

[l3astardd]

I'm not trying to scare you but i do know a guy who dislocated his shoulder doing it and he ended up having to quit working-out b/c it was a life-long injury. however, he did it on free weights so i guess a smith machine would reduce the risk

[ExtremistPullup]

Ok, I'm currently on a program right now, and it specifically demands that I do not military press behind the neck. I assume the reason being that it's a little bit more dangerous.

So I'm just here wondering if anyone who does this exercise behind the neck experience any major or even minor injuries yet. Thanks.

Nope, if you are flexible enough you shouldn't have any problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5_bLjRPMHo

[Dr. Horse]

Pressing behind the neck makes my shoulders sore (not the deltoids, but the glenohumoral joint). Some people just seem to have a tough time tolerating them; I am one of them. I do all my overhead pressing standing and in front of my head (to my chest).

[SDFlip]

i used to and it did work better but now it hurts a little so I quit.

do btn movements later in your workouts so you don't use as much weight.

[2 HUGE]

Nope, if you are flexible enough you shouldn't have any problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5_bLjRPMHo

wow nice lift

[MuscleTroll]

At the end of a military press where the bar is over/behind you, you are actually locked out and there is very little tension on the muscle. I have read so many times, and in this months Ironman that behind the back is unsafe and ineffective. Dude said that high pulls are the best for working traps,and i have found that the end of an upright row or high pull does work my traps and middle delts best. Also for front delts i do high incline dummbell presses, i dont even do military presses anymore because i tend to cheat and rest when im locked out, plus my shoulders hurt sometimes from them.

[dubano]

read the "7 minutes rotator cuff sulotion"

its says that there is no problem with the exercise, there is problem with the trainer

to do it right you need enought flexablilty to lift the barbel from your neck to the top without to crunch your body,


bottem line : lots and lots of bent arm pec strech !

[Uriel_da_man]

I can do it heavy (as low as 4RM) without pain or discomfort so long as I don't let it go too low (bar ~ear height and back up) and do it on the smith (with the bb I find it much more unsafe because of how the bar moves back and forth slightly instead of just straigth up and down).

[MuscleTroll]

read the "7 minutes rotator cuff sulotion"

its says that there is no problem with the exercise, there is problem with the trainer

to do it right you need enough flexiblilty to lift the barbell from your neck to the top without to crunch your body, <<<<<<???? wth?


bottm line : lots and lots of bent arm pec stretch !

fixed! kinda lol

[ruggybear]

I've been doing it seating and standing - behind, and in front, of the neck ... just mixing it up.

So it'd be:

BB standing, in front, 5 reps
BB standing, behind, 5 reps
DB seated, in front, 5 reps
DB seated, behind, 5 reps

repeat above x 3
Heavy enough at 70% of 1RM (BB) and 60% of 1RM (DB)

No problems so far.

[GoJu]

I like btn press, I do mine standing, I feel a slightly wider grip right at or a little beyond the power ring really hits both the side and rear delts, I never bought into the whole pressing only works the front delts and triceps thing.

[tommytom]

don't go to absolute failure and don't ego lift and you got yourself one great and effective exercise there.