Behind the head shoulder press

[Cousinbutch]

I've always tried to avoid doing behind the head barbell press because of the strain on the shoulder joint. But now I've started doing them on a smith press standing (just to see if it felt any better) and I can handle some pretty high weight with no pain at all in my joints.

Anyone had that same experience?
Maybe its just taking some of the balancing aspect out of the motion but it feels awesome for my delts so far.

[gbrice75]

Yep, i'm in the same boat as you. I cannot do them free weight; it hurts too much, and I have to go so light that it's not even worth it. Now, I do 2 sets free weight in front of the head, followed by 2 sets behind the neck on the Smith. Much better, and I can get up some decent weight on the smith! I don't come down all the way though, the barbell doesn't touch my traps/neck - about 3/4 is all I can do before feeling the strain. Just can't control it as much with free weights.

[Times Roman]

Yep, i'm in the same boat as you. I cannot do them free weight; it hurts too much, and I have to go so light that it's not even worth it. Now, I do 2 sets free weight in front of the head, followed by 2 sets behind the neck on the Smith. Much better, and I can get up some decent weight on the smith! I don't come down all the way though, the barbell doesn't touch my traps/neck - about 3/4 is all I can do before feeling the strain. Just can't control it as much with free weights.

Smith. What's that?

[bigboomer]

Smith machine you'll recognize it when you see it http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:s...SHqFczqtdU1uag

[PC650]

this is how i tore my front delt/pec minor

[bigboomer]

Ouch...Yeah i can't go behind the neck feels like my shoulders going to rip out of my skin..

[xxxl83]

there is no significant gains to be made versus the risk of injury by going behind the head. You can certainly make it up with other exercises with less risky ranges of motion! It's like squatting with bad form ....nothing lined up anatomically, or structurally correct.

The FIRST goal of training is injury prevention, your not reaching your goals sittin on the bench watching right? Train safe, train smart, and you'll train for a long time!!!!

xxxl83

[xxxl83]

Oh yeah for got to add this lol..... Try db's go light, you'll have better range of motion control plus, get to strengthen your stabilizers. Most shoulder problems stem from weak stabilizers to begin with. By using the smith machine and working on a dictated plane your not helping the shoulder any versus a natural range of motion.

Also dumb bells allows you to change your hand position to a neutral grip (hands facing each other) which most of the time helps people with shoulder issues.

xxxl83

[n00bs]

I havnt been a fan of behind the head half presses you see in the gym..

A full behind the neck pushpress from the neck though i like..

Other wise i simply stick with MP and push press or jerks..

[goodlifting]

I havnt been a fan of behind the head half presses you see in the gym..

A full behind the neck pushpress from the neck though i like..

Other wise i simply stick with MP and push press or jerks..

i like your style, my friend. i like your style.

[Cousinbutch]

I think a lot of it has to do with your structure. I can go behind the head on smith press, all the way too my traps and don't feel any pressure at all on my shoulder joint. But a heavy weight on bench press and I feel like its going to snap first rep.

[shouldpaincoachrick]

This is way too dangerous for me. I can feel like my shoulders will snap.