Thread: Barbell Behind Neck Press

A potential shoulder injury is nothing to be messed around with. I stay away from them to be safe.

Any behind the neck exercise is very bad for you and does not hit the muscle any better or in any different way...

okay...gonna make some changes today

I don't really see the point relative to your standard overhead press, but if you don't do much else that puts your shoulder in that 90/90 position then you would probably be okay.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I don't really see the point relative to your standard overhead press, but if you don't do much else that puts your shoulder in that 90/90 position then you would probably be okay.

don't know.......it just feels more natural than doing it from chest then up. But i dont wanna risk anything.

Originally Posted by viet_jon

don't know.......it just feels more natural than doing it from chest then up. But i dont wanna risk anything.

Well, it does put more stress on your shoulder joint than a regular overhead press. However, you can do them if you balance things out properly. However, for most people that means cutting out back squats, which is the last thing I would ever want to do.

I've been doing in front of the neck barbell overhead presses for around 2 years, because someone told me (on another site a long time ago) that behind the neck, was 'dangerous'.

Because I changed to 'in front of the neck', before any problem had developed with 'behind the neck', I still don't know whether "behind the neck " is dangerous or not.........

Originally Posted by Nick+

I've been doing in front of the neck barbell overhead presses for around 2 years, because someone told me (on another site a long time ago) that behind the neck, was 'dangerous'.

Because I changed to 'in front of the neck', before any problem had developed with 'behind the neck', I still don't know whether "behind the neck " is dangerous or not.........

in this case, it's probably better not to know, than know.

I've read quite a bit about upright rows, behind the neck pulls or presses causing RC injuries or weakness in the tendons, leading to injuries later.

I've tried them all, and agree behind the neck presses/pulldowns are not worth it. However, when it comes to upright rows, I think if you pull the bar just to the lower peck line, NO HIGHER, that its a good movement. As long as you don't pull the bar up to your chin or clavicle like a lot of people do, you can save a lot of potential shoulder issues. I wanted to ask CP or P-funk about this in another thread but decided i might as well do it here.

Originally Posted by LoadedBats

I've tried them all, and agree behind the neck presses/pulldowns are not worth it. However, when it comes to upright rows, I think if you pull the bar just to the lower peck line, NO HIGHER, that its a good movement. As long as you don't pull the bar up to your chin or clavicle like a lot of people do, you can save a lot of potential shoulder issues. I wanted to ask CP or P-funk about this in another thread but decided i might as well do it here.

The added resistance to internally rotated shoulders is what makes upright rows bad. That move impinges the tendon between two bones, eventually making the tendon weak and frayed. The person might not know there is an issue until the tendon tears. That would sure suck if it happened while doing deads!
When I used to do them, I always had a pain in the top of my left shoulder. Since I stopped over a year ago, no more pain.
They are very effective, but I decided that the risk isn't worth the reward.

I used to do behind the neck presses but stopped because I hear a grinding noise when I do them now. Even overhead presses give me problems sometimes so I make sure I warmup my shoulders before I go to heavy. The funny thing when I stick to a medium weight for higher reps I seem to get better results and they feel better too. I think always going super heavy to get good results is one of the biggest myths of resistance training. It's important to mix it up to give you body a break once and awhile.

Originally Posted by LoadedBats

I've tried them all, and agree behind the neck presses/pulldowns are not worth it. However, when it comes to upright rows, I think if you pull the bar just to the lower peck line, NO HIGHER, that its a good movement. As long as you don't pull the bar up to your chin or clavicle like a lot of people do, you can save a lot of potential shoulder issues. I wanted to ask CP or P-funk about this in another thread but decided i might as well do it here.

Yeah, it's a bit safer that way. Abducting your shoulder while it's internally rotated is the problem. Using dumbbells also helps because you reduce the degree of internal rotation maintained throughout the movement. Nonetheless, there are plenty of other exercises you could do in their place. I see no reason you must include this exercises unless they are somehow specific to your sport.

Originally Posted by LoadedBats

I've tried them all, and agree behind the neck presses/pulldowns are not worth it. However, when it comes to upright rows, I think if you pull the bar just to the lower peck line, NO HIGHER, that its a good movement. As long as you don't pull the bar up to your chin or clavicle like a lot of people do, you can save a lot of potential shoulder issues. I wanted to ask CP or P-funk about this in another thread but decided i might as well do it here.

I saw this one guy at my gym doing upright rows.... above his head. That's right the bar went above his head. His elbow went past the point of flexion and extended, yet the whole time his wrists were holding the bar like an upright row. Hilarious.

Originally Posted by kcoleman

I saw this one guy at my gym doing upright rows.... above his head. That's right the bar went above his head. His elbow went past the point of flexion and extended, yet the whole time his wrists were holding the bar like an upright row. Hilarious.

thats called a wtf? moment

It is very bad for you and does not hit the muscle any better or in any different way...

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

The funny thing when I stick to a medium weight for higher reps I seem to get better results and they feel better too. I think always going super heavy to get good results is one of the biggest myths of resistance training. It's important to mix it up to give you body a break once and awhile.

I feel the same way with Barbell Rows and overhead presses. I dont feel a burn during high intensity sets, and though I wasnt expecting it, I kind of want that feeling for a peace of mind.

Next week, I am going for hypertrophy ranged reps instead of strength.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Yeah, it's a bit safer that way. Abducting your shoulder while it's internally rotated is the problem. Using dumbbells also helps because you reduce the degree of internal rotation maintained throughout the movement. Nonetheless, there are plenty of other exercises you could do in their place. I see no reason you must include this exercises unless they are somehow specific to your sport.

What are your thoughts on wide grip upright rows (slightly wider than shoulder width)? Does it make any difference in terms of reducing the degree of internal rotation?

BB Behind Neck Press hits more lateral delt, and less front delt/upper chest, but to much risk for reward, if you want to hit the lateral delt more with an overhead press do DB Shoulder Presses like this(with your elbows out)-
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...lderPress.html

Originally Posted by blueboy75

What are your thoughts on wide grip upright rows (slightly wider than shoulder width)? Does it make any difference in terms of reducing the degree of internal rotation?

You're pretty damned internally rotated regardless.