Live in the middle of fucking nowhere Arkansas, but I am and always will be a Native Texan
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I like them. I usually do the Klokov version, focusing on "torquing" the weight up, not really pressing it up. I do it every other week, rotating it out with standard Barbell Presses. I have zero shoulders issues, even though i do them in a lower rep range, 2-5 reps per set.
Love strict BTN presses, have to use the bar till I get my form down before I add any weight though. And if you have rotator cuff flexibility and mobility, why should it bother it? The past couple months I've used bands for rotator stretches as wel as light DBs and cables. And there is a super noticeable difference in quality of range of motion.
Tried em out with just the bar. Worked out pretty well. Felt a bit awkward at first but I'm gonna add em to the arsenal.
Just make sure to increase the resistance slowly. That way you will build up strength and range of motion in that movement savely. Patience is key here. As it is in a lot of things in bodybuilding or real life...
I like them in moderation. You likely shouldn't be going as heavy as you would on a normal seated military press. Also, the range of motion should be more "behind the head" than "behind the neck", in my opinion.
I think its also a matter of personal preference. I agree with G, i woulidnt set some crazy PR with 315 on them. I would go a little lighter with a higher rep range.
HOWEVER, i've also been told by a doctor that dips are terrible for your rotator cuff. yet ive been doing dips for a while and just getting stronger delts and pecs from it. But my training partner is prone to shoulder issues so he stays away from them. Its up to you to decide your threshold for what kinds of exercises certain muscles can handle.
It was an exercise we used with regularity back in the early 70's, as far as being an effective pressing movement I would have to say DB presses are by far the better way to go. Years of doing behind the neck presses,chins,and pulldowns had taken there toll and I developed some pretty serious issues with my rotators. I made the transition and now keep everything to the front a lot less strain and a greater range of motion. If you do decide to introduce this movement into your delt rotation treat it as an entirely new exercise. Use caution when lowering and bring the bar to the base of your traps. Use "Manageable" loads until it feels totally comfortable. Then proceed with adding as the movement permits and not your EGO!
HOWEVER, i've also been told by a doctor that dips are terrible for your rotator cuff. yet ive been doing dips for a while and just getting stronger delts and pecs from it. But my training partner is prone to shoulder issues so he stays away from them.
That´s exactly my point. Everyone´s Body is a little different. In Bodybuilding there are now bad or good exercises, as there is no wrong or right way of performing a certain lift. The Focus should be finding out what works for YOU as an individual
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Training in ManCave 3.0 (previously a bedroom and a front room!)
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Originally Posted by rbowman91
I think its also a matter of personal preference. I agree with G, i woulidnt set some crazy PR with 315 on them. I would go a little lighter with a higher rep range.
HOWEVER, i've also been told by a doctor that dips are terrible for your rotator cuff. yet ive been doing dips for a while and just getting stronger delts and pecs from it. But my training partner is prone to shoulder issues so he stays away from them. Its up to you to decide your threshold for what kinds of exercises certain muscles can handle.
As you say, its all about your mechanics. I suspect its all about your elbows too - barbell pressing allows you to keep your elbows tucked and reduces shoulder rotation (similar to benching). Behind the neck / head presses force your elbows to be pointed out to the sides putting a lot more rotation onto the shoulder joint and increasing the strain on the shoulders and rotator cuffs.
Dips, I suppose, fall between. I like to keep my elbows to my sides (tucked) to mimic the powerlifting bench. However, I can imagine people's elbows drifting out as the set gets harder and the shoulder rotation increases........
Chad Smith likes seated overhead (literally down to the top of the head) presses as it doesn't quite have the downsides of each lift but allows you to keep pressing......just a thought.
My journey to a 1000 total from a beginner....achieved!
Chad Smith likes seated overhead (literally down to the top of the head) presses as it doesn't quite have the downsides of each lift but allows you to keep pressing......just a thought.
Doesn´t that drastically limit the range of motion?
If I did that, it wouldn´t be much more than locking out my elbows...
Most people who say BTN exercises are no good because they have bad shoulder mobility. I wouldnt recommend doing them if you have pain or any mobility issues.
If your shoulders are healthy I would take a wider grip then usual and bring the bar right behind the head and not to the neck.
If your standing like in a BTN Push Press then obviously you need to bring the bar down to your upper trap region.
That is what I found best, but I dont do BTN's anymore. I am waiting until my left shoulder heals up.
Anyone ever sit backwards on a shoulder press machine (not weight loaded) and press? It mimics the BTN press, and surprisingly you get a hell of a good burn/pump in the rear delts.
BTN barbell presses & lat pull downs are great movements to mix things up every once in a while...
An interesting trick that has worked for me in terms of proper execution/safe range of motion, is wearing a hat backwards and touching the bar to the brim.
An interesting trick that has worked for me in terms of proper execution/safe range of motion, is wearing a hat backwards and touching the bar to the brim.
Peace, G
both stylish and effective
P
"If you love something, do it until it kills you."