shoulders

[Gunghobro]

Ok, quick question...

What do you all find to be better for building the shoulders; military presses or behind the neck presses? I had switched from behind the neck presses because of my limited flexibility with the motion and with some soreness in the neck. However, I recently tried doing some behind the neck presses on a smith machine and it was great. I did not experience any soreness and I could position an upright bench for a better line of motion with the bar on the smith machine.

So what's your opinion?

 

[huskyguy]

Never, behind the neck presses-it is not a natural movement and once the weights get fairly heavy you are setting yourself up for injury. Do overhead presses with dumbells or presses in front when going heavy, same as in lat pull downs do not go behind the neck you can derive the same benefits by pull downs to the sternum. Bursitis, muscle tears, dislocated shoulders--these are painful and these injuries are often impossible to get a full recuperation, they often remain a lifelong injury that will prevent you from lifting heavy.

 

[0nyx]

^^ well thats good to know ... as i used to be all aobut the behind the neck press... could be why my shoulders hurt lmao .. thanks..

wish i woulda read that 1 1/2 years ago lol

 

[josh81]

I find that seated dumbell presses and standing lateral raises are the ultimate exercises for your shoulders. Military press is up there too, however I don't do it.

 

[slobberknocker]

I like military press but I only go down to eye level, and I also like seated dumbell clean and press.

 

[Gunghobro]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

 

[pullinbig]

^^ well thats good to know ... as i used to be all aobut the behind the neck press... could be why my shoulders hurt lmao .. thanks..

wish i woulda read that 1 1/2 years ago lol

well if you had asked me........

 

[Mr. dB]

...and I also like seated dumbell clean and press.

Please elaborate!

 

[slobberknocker]

Please elaborate!

Sit on a bench, holding a pair of dumbells at your sides. "Clean" them to your shoulders, then press them over head. Then bring them back down to your side. I like 3-4 sets of 8-10 reps, with 1 minute between sets. I haven't really found anything that knocks the piss out of the entire delt, the way these do.

Let me know if I didn't explain that well.

 

[Injectyourspinach]

Ditto the BTN Presses advice. I believe it's what contributed the most to my shoulder injury some years back.

What I like now:
1. Heavy Barbell Push Presses
2. Dumbell Overhead Presses with dumbells kept beside or slightly in front of body; sometimes with palms facing forward, sometimes with palms facing each other
3. Cable Lateral Raises or Incline Bench Lateral Raises or WIDE Dumbell Upright Rows

 

[Mudge]

I do front smith presses frequently, if you do behind the neck do NOT go below ear level as you risk rotator damage. I will not do them period.

Right now I just use a machine.