Military press and back position

[Madd Hatter]

I had been doing my MPs standing, then tried them sitting because I do them for shoulders and wanted to take out back/legs. Of course they were harder. I sit and lean backwards on a preacher bench. My lower back is straight, but as the preacher wedge goes up, my back starts leaning back some. Doing them standing I did this too. I'd say it's still nowhere near an Incline Press, but I'm wondering if this is compromising my shoulder progress. Using an adjustable bench is not an option, I'd be nowhere near high enough to unrack. I don't know what else to do other than to start doing them standing in a rack and going against the cage. But I really don't want to be "that guy".

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Do them standing. If you lean back too much, lower the weight until you have proper form.

 

[NWinters]

you would be better off trying to learn them with no back support. Its ok to lean back but if you feel like your going to fall back then youd nee to work that area too. Its called core work.
http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=217790

 

[bignate73]

you are doing them on the preacher bench? the angled side? sit with your back up against the side where your armpit/chest rests, it gives you support just in the upper back and you can sit up as straight as you want.

 

[Madd Hatter]

No, I'm doing it on the "back" side, it's probably the crappy equipment in my gym, but the front of it is down a little, so it's slightly uneven on the "straight" side, my lower back is straight, but my upper back is leaning. It's enough to where I can cheat about as much as I do when standing. I also see most everyone else cheating like I do, not that it means anything.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Do them standing. If you lean back too much, lower the weight until you have proper form.

Standing while doing militaries is as bad for your lower back, as doing them behind the neck is for your rotator cuffs. In my opinion.

 

[coolcolj]

standing is much safer IMO.

Just never lean back. STay bolt upright no matter what, common sense really. And keep the bar over your centre of gravity ie directly inline with your shoudlers. you will have to tilt the ehad back and pull the chin in to allow for this and then stick the head forward once the bar clears the forehead

if the bar is out front, then you will lean back for balance. A bad habit that seated MP create

 

[bignate73]

CCJ, this is assuming people have the shoulder flexibility. it takes a bit to get comfortable pressing overhead.

MH, how is your lat/shoulder flexibility? if you sit in a completely upright position and put your hands up, do they point forward some? if so, then you a) need to stretch your shoulders, b) can kick your hips slightly forward til your arms go vertical. ive not seen too many people who can sit completely upright and press without either having an arch or end up pushing their upper body back when they press.

 

[coolcolj]

well get the flexibility

 

[bignate73]

well get the flexibility

thats right...dammit!!!

 

[gmanlax7]

standing is great i did them today
touch to your upper chest/ collar bones

 

[coolcolj]

 

[gymtime]

I see guys doing MPs, even with dumbells, in a position that's really not too far off from this guy's. And many of them claim impressive numbers on their "military presses." When, in fact, they are essentially doing an incline bench movement.

Standing or sitting, you still gotta keep your back straight, and focus on not cheating by leaning back and/or sticking your chest out.

 

[bignate73]

reverse good mornings, who told you i do those???

 

[coolcolj]

nice ab loading

 

[Madd Hatter]

Wow, someone w/ worse form than me, I'm not that bad.


You know, this all started because when I did them standing, I did tilt my head (chest?) back a little because I was afraid of whacking my face with the bar, maybe there wasn't that much of a back problem.

Well holy crap, BigNate's got it. When I put my arms up, they stick out forward more than my cheeks do, and I have consciously put them totally vertical, and then I feel a stretch in my lats (delts too sorta). I definitely would not be going there MPing my max. So crap. Shoulders are the one area that I never stretch, or very well. Any good ones out there I should be doing?

Thanks for the help all.