Thread: dumbbell military press

Not sure that there is a "right" range. There are differing opinions but, for me, I use 90 degrees. I've had shoulder problems and 90 works best for me. Thats for both BB and DB military press.

Dumbbell presses; I like to go down when the dumbbell hits ear level, which is about 90 degrees. Military presses with a barbell, depending on grip width, I'll either go down to the chest or when the bar is about chin level.

Do whats comfortable, for some of us hitting the top of the delt is hardly possible, plus a little extra strain on the joints if you try to make it happen when it doesn't want too. You should notice it becomes less shoulder and more triceps/forearm/chest if you go too low, so when you feel the weight being taken away from the shoulders take notice.

I agree with Mudge, nice Avatar BTW Mudge

Originally posted by Mudge
Do whats comfortable

What he said. Too many people get hung up on the term "Full Range of Motion." What's more important is the "EFFECTIVE Range of Motion." (ERM) When doing any kind of military press you're working your delts, right? Lower the dbells until you feel the stress being taken off your delts and put on something else, that's the limit of your ERM. Also, don't let somebody elses ERM govern how you do your workout. Everybody's different and you have to do what's best for YOUR body.

I get that annoying "clicking" in my shoulders and elbows if I do not warm up properly. I go only as low as comfortable, but I rarely start delt workouts with seated dumbbells. If I use them at all, it is to finish off my delts after heavy push presses/clean presses. Another good burn is to start with the weights overhead, and lower them alternately, completing the rep with the weight over the head. Doing this one arm at a time has really helped me develop my delts, but it has been difficult for some people to do, depending the flexibility of the joints and the strain it puts on the verteba in the neck.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Everybody's different and you have to do what's best for YOUR body.

couldnt agree more.