Thread: Behind Neck Press

dont do behind the neck, do db presses they are way better for shoulders!

Lots of people do them, I don't. If you do them stay light, and don't let the weight go all the way down to the shoulders. It's a good exercise to get hurt on.

Primarily works the front Deltoids. secondarily the mid, and rear delts - triceps, and trapezius.


#PS. Arnold presses better.

only do them if there is a need to do them. ie, if you need to move through that ROM for some reason.

Otherwise stick to DBs and presses to the front.

I do dumbells as well.

I also never do any type of exercise behind the neck because that is a good way to cause injury.

Originally Posted by peach_lover

Hello there,,,



I am wondering if the Behind Neck Press is a major exercise for shoulders.



Please advices..

I used to do them a while back but then I felt a sharp pain one day and it screwed up all of my presses.
Be careful doing them.

While some people can do them safely, the majority of people will eventually get injured with them one way or another. Most people aren't born to be able to move that way (I forgot what it is that some people have that allows them to do it without pain), but I would stay away from them. Hopefully you're noticing a pattern here.

Originally Posted by buildingup

dont do behind the neck, do db presses they are way better for shoulders!

This is your opinion only!

Yes peach_lover behind the neck presses is a good exercise which trains shoulders and traps.

Originally Posted by MuscleM4n

This is your opinion only!

Yes peach_lover behind the neck presses is a good exercise which trains shoulders and traps.

That's not his opinion only. They're proven to be more dangerous to the shoulders when you do them behind the neck; saying dumbbells are better can mean they're better for the shoulders, which they are for the vast majority of people.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

They're proven to be more dangerous to the shoulders when you do them behind the neck

I agree.

I concur.

Absolutely.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

That's not his opinion only. They're proven to be more dangerous to the shoulders when you do them behind the neck; saying dumbbells are better can mean they're better for the shoulders, which they are for the vast majority of people.

Yes i knew this already.

I agree.

Originally Posted by MuscleM4n

Yes i know this!!!

You not what buildingup is like.

sorry? what have i done recently?

It's just because you always post little comments which are mainly based on your opinion and hold no worth most of the time.

Nevermind, forget it.

i was just answering the question, its widely known that behind the neck presses can cause injury in most people and with db you get a larger ROM

Yes that is widely known.

You do not get a larger ROM from db presses (pressing to parrelell is the correct technique for this exercise for so it will be the same) - you are still pressing the weight. It is just a different positioning. In the end both exercises will train your shoulders.

However as stated already behind the neck presses should be done with less weight and care should be taken.

Peach_lover - If you still intend to do behind the neck presses start off on a smith machine first to learn the movement at first and from a safety aspect point if view.

On the other hand i would recommend military presses (barbell press to the front) rather than behind the neck presses.

lower it to the top of your ears and press up.

Originally Posted by MuscleM4n

Yes that is widely known.

You do not get a larger ROM from db presses (pressing to parrelell is the correct technique for this exercise for so it will be the same) - you are still pressing the weight. It is just a different positioning. In the end both exercises will train your shoulders.

However as stated already behind the neck presses should be done with less weight and care should be taken.

Peach_lover - If you still intend to do behind the neck presses start off on a smith machine first to learn the movement at first and from a safety aspect point if view.

On the other hand i would recommend military presses (barbell press to the front) rather than behind the neck presses.

1) lower the DBs below parallel and get a full ROM

2) don't do the press on the smith machine! the bar does not travel in a straight line. the human body moves in small arcs. Pressing on the smith machine makes you press in a biomechanically incorrect ROM and teaches you no stability. Stability on the behind the neck press is huge!! You really need that otherwise you can kiss your rotator cuffs goodbye. Stretch to increase your flexability in that ROM. Remove the bar from the rack on your back like you are squating. This will ensure that you have it in a solid position behind your neck to press from. Then, use your hips to push press or jerk the weight up overhead on the first rep to decrease the pressure placed on your shoulder that it would take to press the weight off your upper traps. Once overhead begin your reps.

Originally Posted by P-funk

1) lower the DBs below parallel and get a full ROM

2) don't do the press on the smith machine! the bar does not travel in a straight line. the human body moves in small arcs. Pressing on the smith machine makes you press in a biomechanically incorrect ROM and teaches you no stability. Stability on the behind the neck press is huge!! You really need that otherwise you can kiss your rotator cuffs goodbye. Stretch to increase your flexability in that ROM. Remove the bar from the rack on your back like you are squating. This will ensure that you have it in a solid position behind your neck to press from. Then, use your hips to push press or jerk the weight up overhead on the first rep to decrease the pressure placed on your shoulder that it would take to press the weight off your upper traps. Once overhead begin your reps.

Ok fair enough

I prefer to stick to pressing in front of me. I don't see the point in pressing from behind the head. I hear of injuries and shoulder problems resulting from pressing behind the neck far more often. However, some people are able to get away with them without issue. To each his own.

Besides, if you're going for functional strength, there's absolutely no reason to do them behind the neck anyways. How often do you pick something up behind you like that in your everyday life?

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Besides, if you're going for functional strength, there's absolutely no reason to do them behind the neck anyways. How often do you pick something up behind you like that in your everyday life?

yea, the only time i do them or advise them is if you are going to be performing snatches on a regular basis. Other than that it is tough on the shoulder joint.

they are fine to do in the rom of going to the top of you ears and pressing back up, make sure your shoulders are warmed up though.

Originally Posted by swordfish

they are fine to do in the rom of going to the top of you ears and pressing back up, make sure your shoulders are warmed up though.

My question is why sacrifice that additional range of motion just to press from behind the head? What's the advantage?

Originally Posted by CowPimp

My question is why sacrifice that additional range of motion just to press from behind the head? What's the advantage?

exactly. if you are going to do them may as well do them right and use a full ROM. Otherwise stick to the front press.

hits the side delt better and real delt, theres a guy on bodybuilding that come who is a personal trainer, hes 19, weighs 220, 18" arms, 29" quads, 18.5" calves, hes been training for 4 years and a beast. hes all natural. here is a link to a pic( it is when he was 18.)

http://oldschoolbodybuilding.com/index.php?showuser=99

his name is khan paulsen and is a hardcore follower of DC TRAINING. he swears by btn presses.

not saying it is the best movement but he seems to think so.

Originally Posted by swordfish

they are fine to do in the rom of going to the top of you ears and pressing back up, make sure your shoulders are warmed up though.

No you are 100% wrong
Press behind the neck serve no purpose at all.....they don't hit the deltoid differently than from the front, you can use more weight from the front and behind the neck anything is just dangerous.


and Kahn is a fat ass

khan is a beast, hes done 735x4 on hack squats and inclines in the 300's for reps. very strong person for only 19, hes got about 14% of bf in that pic and like i said, that is 1 year old.


thats your opinion foreman, i think they are a great movement after i tried them out, he thinks they are great too. i felt it the best in the rear delt in that movement and was sore the next day in my rear delts more than any other shoulder pressing movement.

you need to learn to chill. " YOU ARE 100% WRONG" calm down man