Military Press- In front or behind neck?

**Romeoguy62** · 09-21-2005, 07:32 PM

I have been doing seated barbell military presses for a while. I was doing them behind the neck, but the other day I did it in front of my neck. DAMN! I am still sore! Have I been doing them all wrong? Or should I do both? Does it make a difference if I am sitting or standing? What about using dumbells or barbells? Which technique works the target muscles the best? Thanks!

BTW my other shoulder workouts are shrugs, front raises and lateral raises if that matters.

**SoulCard** · 09-21-2005, 07:57 PM

always in front...behind is old school and can harm your rotator cuff and joints, etc...

**chest6** · 09-21-2005, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by SoulCard

always in front...behind is old school and can harm your rotator cuff and joints, etc...

I'll second that.

**Duck of Death** · 09-21-2005, 08:57 PM

.....what he said.

**johnsomebody** · 09-21-2005, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by chest6

I'll second that.

I'll third it!

**Papi93** · 09-22-2005, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Romeoguy62

I have been doing seated barbell military presses for a while. I was doing them behind the neck, but the other day I did it in front of my neck. DAMN! I am still sore! Have I been doing them all wrong? Or should I do both? Does it make a difference if I am sitting or standing? What about using dumbells or barbells? Which technique works the target muscles the best? Thanks!

BTW my other shoulder workouts are shrugs, front raises and lateral raises if that matters.

If you're sitting, your core doesn't have to work as hard to stabilize. As a result, you should be able to press more weight. Dumbbells require more neuromuscular coordination than barabells. With dumbbells, you will find strength deficits, between arms, more easily.
I would take out the front raises, plenty of stimulation from chest and shoulder pressing, and put in bent-over laterals.

**spywizard** · 09-22-2005, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by SoulCard

always in front...behind is old school and can harm your rotator cuff and joints, etc...

werd.. never behind the neck.. that includes pull downs..

also.. change up if not different exercises, the order that you do them in..

that's why you are sore, that and the fact that that muscle group wasn't being taxed..

**Romeoguy62** · 09-22-2005, 08:24 PM

Cool, thanks guys. I'm sure you all saved me some future probs.

**BIGPHIL** · 12-13-2005, 12:31 PM

i love behind the neck really works for me

**MASTER** · 12-13-2005, 06:24 PM

in front, u cant get the full rom doing it behind the neck, and tryin to do so can result in injury, same goes for pulldowns.

**J.S.N.** · 12-13-2005, 08:48 PM

personally i prefer BTN presses. in front doesn't really hit my lateral head that much- it's mostly the anterior head, which has already gotten a ton of stimulation from bench presses.