Behind-the-neck Presses...worth it???

[PoweredUp]

In my current push/pull split routine I do standing military presses (more of a push press) on Mondays, and standing behind-the-neck presses on Thursdays. I have read several articles that state behind-the-neck presses should be avoided because of safety concerns, but I was wondering if this particular version was beneficial when done safely and correctly?

In other words, if I'm doing the front presses one day, is there any need or extra benefit of doing the behind-the-neck style? I personally feel like the front version hammers on my front delts whereas the behind-the-neck presses hit more on my triceps, traps, and rear delts, but if the only thing gained out of behind-the-neck presses is a torn rotator cuff than I'll ditch them...

 

[memberelite]

I've read similar things about them being potentially dangerous especially since the strain the shoulders go through when the bar hits the back of your neck/traps. May be better off sticking to db's to keep the weight balances and slightly in front - if you insist on hittine shoulder presses 2 tiems a week I'd stick with military and db presses only

 

[PoweredUp]

I've read similar things about them being potentially dangerous especially since the strain the shoulders go through when the bar hits the back of your neck/traps. May be better off sticking to db's to keep the weight balances and slightly in front - if you insist on hittine shoulder presses 2 tiems a week I'd stick with military and db presses only

Actually, the reason I went to barbell-only presses is because I felt like the dumbbell presses were beginning to strain my shoulder. I was up to 95-pound dumbbells and I'm fairly convinced that a few shoulder injuries that I experienced were directly related to my efforts to get the dumbbells into position to lift.

 

[memberelite]

Actually, the reason I went to barbell-only presses is because I felt like the dumbbell presses were beginning to strain my shoulder. I was up to 95-pound dumbbells and I'm fairly convinced that a few shoulder injuries that I experienced were directly related to my efforts to get the dumbbells into position to lift.

Interesting - 95 lb shoulder press is pretty impressive - I suppose it has alot to do with your motion on the press - where your forearm is located during the movement - or if you have any rotator or shoudler injuries. If you're not having any issues while doing the military presses then it may be best to stick to those and avoid any further strain while trying to stay even with (db) or behind (behind-the neck press) the shoulder

 

[GUARDIAN]

ABSOLUTELY FUCKING WORTH IT...as long as you dont have any existing shoulder injuries and you use flawless form. they are great for the cap on the side delts.

 

[memberelite]

ABSOLUTELY FUCKING WORTH IT...as long as you dont have any existing shoulder injuries and you use flawless form. they are great for the cap on the side delts.

Based on 8and20's public profile - he seems to know what works - impressive - bodybuilder?

 

[GUARDIAN]

Based on 8and20's public profile - he seems to know what works - impressive - bodybuilder?

wannabe

 

[deathdroprob]

yeah Id still do them, but obviously only lower the bar to a certain extent.

 

[memberelite]

wannabe

"wannabe" what?
Not really clear on what you're talking about - simply saying that you looked to be in great shape and to get there must know what your doing - good work

Wait - my bad if you mean you "wannabe" - if that's the case then you look like you're ready

 

[GUARDIAN]

"wannabe" what?
Not really clear on what you're talking about - simply saying that you looked to be in great shape and to get there must know what your doing - good work

Wait - my bad if you mean you "wannabe" - if that's the case then you look like you're ready

not full enuf for my height. i am 6'2" and at my current bodyweight i would be a heavyweight. those shorter guys are huge at that weight. my best best would be super heavies and to be really cut. perhaps another year.

 

[silver_shadow]

yeah Id still do them, but obviously only lower the bar to a certain extent.

i don't agree with this.

do them push press style in which you will need the bar racked on your traps.

from the start position (bar on the traps), bend your knees a bit and drive through the ground with your feet like you are trying to jump up. the momentum should carry the bar some distance as you press up aggressively at the same time and lockout. while lowering the bar, don't fight it, there's no negative for this movement. just let the bar drop in a controlled way bending your knees as it hits your traps (make sure it makes contact with flesh) to absorb the impact.

you should be able to press at least body weight for reps in no time. it really overloads your pressing muscles.

 

[SouthernLord]

i don't agree with this.

do them push press style in which you will need the bar racked on your traps.

from the start position (bar on the traps), bend your knees a bit and drive through the ground with your feet like you are trying to jump up. the momentum should carry the bar some distance as you press up aggressively at the same time and lockout. while lowering the bar, don't fight it, there's no negative for this movement. just let the bar drop in a controlled way bending your knees as it hits your traps (make sure it makes contact with flesh) to absorb the impact.

you should be able to press at least body weight for reps in no time. it really overloads your pressing muscles.

I do these but with a snatch grip. This is how I get the bar in position for OHS. I like to do singles and go heavy. I really don't like letting the bar drop back down to my traps when going heavy. To be safe I would rather rack the bar on my front delts and reposition my self. These are a great overhead support exercise. High reps with the snatch grip behind the neck will really burn your delts up. I need to start incorporating the high rep sets again.

 

[hardrock]

Fuck behind the neck presses and pull downs. My $.02

 

[silver_shadow]

I do these but with a snatch grip. This is how I get the bar in position for OHS. I like to do singles and go heavy. I really don't like letting the bar drop back down to my traps when going heavy. To be safe I would rather rack the bar on my front delts and reposition my self. These are a great overhead support exercise. High reps with the snatch grip behind the neck will really burn your delts up. I need to start incorporating the high rep sets again.

yea i forgot to mention, snatch grip is what i prefer as well.

i didn't understand how you get the bar behind your neck if you rack the bar on your front delts thereby preventing dropping it on to your traps. could you elaborate?

 

[SouthernLord]

yea i forgot to mention, snatch grip is what i prefer as well.

i didn't understand how you get the bar behind your neck if you rack the bar on your front delts thereby preventing dropping it on to your traps. could you elaborate?

I do this for heavy singles. I set up outside the power rack, push press the weight, lower the weight to my front delts, then I rack the bar and get back under it. I have hit the back of my neck lowering the bar behind my head and it nicked my up neck pretty good. I feel there is too much room for error when lowering heavy weight behind your head.

 

[tropo]

Fuck behind the neck presses and pull downs. My $.02

I agree. Don't do them. Front presses are mechanically sound, behind-the-neck presses are an accident waiting to happen.

 

[deathdroprob]

i don't agree with this.

do them push press style in which you will need the bar racked on your traps.

from the start position (bar on the traps), bend your knees a bit and drive through the ground with your feet like you are trying to jump up. the momentum should carry the bar some distance as you press up aggressively at the same time and lockout. while lowering the bar, don't fight it, there's no negative for this movement. just let the bar drop in a controlled way bending your knees as it hits your traps (make sure it makes contact with flesh) to absorb the impact.

you should be able to press at least body weight for reps in no time. it really overloads your pressing muscles.

I thought og only doing this movement seated. Standing up, i think would e alot harder and easier to hurt your self, particularly with a btnp.
I know what you mean about pushing up with your knees aswell. I used to do this to help me finish a set when at failure when I done standing MP

 

[Scotsman]

Honestly I don't see the benefit of doing them behind the neck. Front presses work extremely well and are a much safer and more mechanically sound lift.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[nzrodney]

ABSOLUTELY FUCKING WORTH IT...as long as you dont have any existing shoulder injuries and you use flawless form. they are great for the cap on the side delts.

Got the cap, but did my rotator cuff & humerus shoulder joint in doing behind the neck lat pulldowns.

 

[Inhibitor13]

Honestly I don't see the benefit of doing them behind the neck. Front presses work extremely well and are a much safer and more mechanically sound lift.

Cheers,
Scotsman

I agree...

 

[ironcheif1984]

When i am doing shoulder presses i dont let my elbows go past a 90 degree point. Ive heard that the lower you go past that 90 degree point your opening your self up to injuries more then you would if you were to just go to 90 and then press it back up. It seems to keep a constant stress on the muscle more also getting in a better work out for me at least might be different for other peeps this is just my .02 cents

 

[silver_shadow]

I do this for heavy singles. I set up outside the power rack, push press the weight, lower the weight to my front delts, then I rack the bar and get back under it. I have hit the back of my neck lowering the bar behind my head and it nicked my up neck pretty good. I feel there is too much room for error when lowering heavy weight behind your head.

ah ok! thanks. will try it this way next time.

ironically, i have had worse experiences while pressing in front. i knocked my nose with the bar on the way up once! i also feel much more comfortable pressing from behind while standing.

 

[BackAtIt57]

I have shoulder problems and have heard that it will intensify the problem. I switch to DB shoulder presses and im not looking back. I have seen more improvement through DB than i ever did with a BB.

If you want to hit your rear delts. Do lying down or bent over lateral flys.