Shoulder-pressing bodyweight

TKL · 12-08-2005, 04:45 PM

I'm doing standing bb military presses and the other day I was wondering if doing this exercise with bodyweight or more is a possible thing, or common among powerlifters?

everyone I know can MAX get 1/2 or 2/3 bodyweight. what do you think I can do to break the barrier?

**EME** · 12-08-2005, 05:19 PM

TKL,

I do seated behind the neck military press, and before my latest bulking phase I was actually doing reps with slightly more than my bodyweight.

I was weighing 178 at the time and getting 3-5 reps with 185 on behind the neck military press ( going all the way down to the base of my neck ).

I personally feel behind the neck military is more difficult than front barbell shoulder presses. It certainly is for me, anyway. So, it's definitely a possibility.

It may be a little more difficult for a 300 lb powerlifter... but then again, a 300 pounder should be a lot stronger than I am also...

- EME

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKL

I'm doing standing bb military presses and the other day I was wondering if doing this exercise with bodyweight or more is a possible thing, or common among powerlifters?

everyone I know can MAX get 1/2 or 2/3 bodyweight. what do you think I can do to break the barrier?

**powerman2000** · 12-08-2005, 06:00 PM

Behind-the-neck shoulder presses are definitely more difficult and more dangerous too. Even though I don't have freaky huge shoulders, I've always had exceptional shoulder press strength. I've always been able to crank out at least a few reps with a weight that is equal to my own bw.

To increase your military shoulder press I would suggest increasing your shoulder press volume and perform various exercises such as standing and seated BB military press, seated DB shoulder presses and any other plate loaded machines that you might have available to you that are for a shoulder press movement. Increase your volume by 50-100% for 6 weeks and then drop it back down to a level that is below your normal volume for 4 weeks. Keep the intensity consistent and periodize your reps every week.

When I weighed in the neighborhood of 270-280 lbs, I could do reps with 315 on behind-neck presses and reps with 365 on regular military presses. These were always done seated on a bench with a back.

TKL · 12-09-2005, 04:44 PM

sounds good.

I do them once a week, 5 reps, 5 sets. usually up 5 lbs every week or two, depends how im feeling.

as for behind the neck, I'm too much of a pussy to do that, haha.

**Peaked_18** · 12-09-2005, 05:08 PM

Just don't go below ear level.

I feel strong BTN.

**powerman2000** · 12-09-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

Just don't go below ear level.

That does reduce the dangers, but still does not eliminate them. Its a good exercise for building big shoulders, but for peeps who might already have a shoulder issue or are getting on in years, its not advisable.

TKL · 12-09-2005, 10:00 PM

well, i think il just work with my standing bb military presses. and pushpress.

so far, my shoulder size has been basically proportional to how much I can shoulder press, lol.

**EME** · 12-09-2005, 10:05 PM

I love Behind the Neck Military press. I've been doing them for 20 years and don't have any problems.

I think too many people are scared of them and don't do them.
I personally think people MORE people should be doing behind the neck Military.

But hey.... that's just me. I like Flat Bench Press and Full Squats too.

- EME

**powerman2000** · 12-09-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EME

I personally think people MORE people should be doing behind the neck Military.

- EME

I'm sure the orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists would like that too.

TKL · 12-10-2005, 06:49 PM

i've been doing the same 6 exercises the past 5 months, and ive gotten better gains than I did usin glike 10-15 different exercises.

:bigthumbu

**BobThePotato** · 12-11-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerman2000

I'm sure the orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists would like that too.

hahahah :hooligan:

**krzna** · 12-16-2005, 01:32 AM

my smith behind the neck is around 280. I weigh around 240.

TKL · 12-16-2005, 10:41 PM

I'm still skeptical about behind-the-neck being more effective than regular, I dunno if it's a good thing for a powerlifter. cause my weights are going up rapidly right now and im also making sure I don't injure myself in the process.

in front military are the side deltoids being neglected a little bit? cause I imagine that with the behind-the-neck, side deltoids are more used?

is this correct?

TKL · 12-16-2005, 10:41 PM

oh yeah, also forgot.

do you think if I do a fair amount of pressing (2x bench a week and 1x military press) I will need to do side-delt raises?

**Viperspit** · 12-22-2005, 01:10 AM

My Smith is 235 for a few reps and I'm 240. One of these days, I'll catch up with ya Krzna, don't let a 42yr old man do that :bigthumbu

METAL VIPER · 12-23-2005, 12:28 AM

I think my max for military press is right at or a little more than my bodyweight...but I only weigh 145

12-08-2005, 04:45 PM	#1
TKL IMPC Contestant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: edmonton, AB Posts: 114 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	Shoulder-pressing bodyweight I'm doing standing bb military presses and the other day I was wondering if doing this exercise with bodyweight or more is a possible thing, or common among powerlifters? everyone I know can MAX get 1/2 or 2/3 bodyweight. what do you think I can do to break the barrier?

12-08-2005, 06:00 PM	#3
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,136 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 200	Behind-the-neck shoulder presses are definitely more difficult and more dangerous too. Even though I don't have freaky huge shoulders, I've always had exceptional shoulder press strength. I've always been able to crank out at least a few reps with a weight that is equal to my own bw. To increase your military shoulder press I would suggest increasing your shoulder press volume and perform various exercises such as standing and seated BB military press, seated DB shoulder presses and any other plate loaded machines that you might have available to you that are for a shoulder press movement. Increase your volume by 50-100% for 6 weeks and then drop it back down to a level that is below your normal volume for 4 weeks. Keep the intensity consistent and periodize your reps every week. When I weighed in the neighborhood of 270-280 lbs, I could do reps with 315 on behind-neck presses and reps with 365 on regular military presses. These were always done seated on a bench with a back. __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

12-09-2005, 10:05 PM	#8
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	I love Behind the Neck Military press. I've been doing them for 20 years and don't have any problems. I think too many people are scared of them and don't do them. I personally think people MORE people should be doing behind the neck Military. But hey.... that's just me. I like Flat Bench Press and Full Squats too. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.PhysiqueFXonline.com www.MichaelandKendra.com My wife, and IFBB Fitness Pro Kendra Elias' personal site: www.KendraElias.com Proud member of Team ALR: www.ALRIndustries.com

12-16-2005, 01:32 AM	#12
krzna Dogg Crappin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Olangapo-Zambales,Philipines Posts: 1,599 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 49	my smith behind the neck is around 280. I weigh around 240. __________________ *DIET DEDICATION DP** www.surpassgenetics.com www.offshorebodybuilding.com www.thevipboard.com Team Beast Breeder colossus@beastbreeder.com

12-23-2005, 12:28 AM	#16
METAL VIPER SEEK & DESTROY Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 542 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 46	I think my max for military press is right at or a little more than my bodyweight...but I only weigh 145 __________________ \m/ METALLICA \m/ R.I.P. Cliff Burton:2/10/62-9/26/86 DIE, by my hand, I creep across the land, killing first born man

12-09-2005, 04:44 PM	#4
TKL IMPC Contestant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: edmonton, AB Posts: 114 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	sounds good. I do them once a week, 5 reps, 5 sets. usually up 5 lbs every week or two, depends how im feeling. as for behind the neck, I'm too much of a pussy to do that, haha.

12-09-2005, 05:08 PM	#5
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Just don't go below ear level. I feel strong BTN.

12-09-2005, 10:00 PM	#7
TKL IMPC Contestant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: edmonton, AB Posts: 114 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	well, i think il just work with my standing bb military presses. and pushpress. so far, my shoulder size has been basically proportional to how much I can shoulder press, lol.

12-10-2005, 06:49 PM	#10
TKL IMPC Contestant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: edmonton, AB Posts: 114 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	i've been doing the same 6 exercises the past 5 months, and ive gotten better gains than I did usin glike 10-15 different exercises. :bigthumbu

12-16-2005, 10:41 PM	#13
TKL IMPC Contestant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: edmonton, AB Posts: 114 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	I'm still skeptical about behind-the-neck being more effective than regular, I dunno if it's a good thing for a powerlifter. cause my weights are going up rapidly right now and im also making sure I don't injure myself in the process. in front military are the side deltoids being neglected a little bit? cause I imagine that with the behind-the-neck, side deltoids are more used? is this correct?

12-22-2005, 01:10 AM	#15
Viperspit Incognito Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 680 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 14	My Smith is 235 for a few reps and I'm 240. One of these days, I'll catch up with ya Krzna, don't let a 42yr old man do that :bigthumbu

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