Upper Range of Overhead Press

Stewart20 · 01-02-2007, 07:47 AM

Is there any truth to this....that the top range of the overhead press, say the top 12 inches or so, is where the medial delts take over to a larger extent?

My problem is that I know my front delts are disproportionally larger than the medial and rear delts. I want to include an overhead press in my routine just for shoulder health so I am using the joint from all angles, but I don't want my front delts really getting any more work after I do my benching movements. I am concentrating on the benching movements now, so overhead pressing will be a secondary concern. If I could do overhead rack presses with the pins set at just above ear level, does that take *some* stress of the front delts and switch it to the medial delts, or is it just a false statement, and the front delts will still take the brunt of the weight?

wilwn · 01-02-2007, 09:15 AM

not necessarily. the lockout of the overhead press is primarily your triceps. your medial delts mainly abduct your arms, while your front delts flex your arm at the shoulder joint. since both abduction and flexion occur equally for the most part throughout the press, i wouldn't say one "takes over" at any given point more than the other.

Stewart20 · 01-02-2007, 09:21 AM

i agree when you say lockout is mostly triceps, but when I think of lockout as in a rack lockout, I am thinking about a 3 or 4 inch range of motion as in a rack lockout for the bench press.

If a normal range press has say a 22-25 inch range of motion (hypothetically), I am referring to just the upper half of that range, past the point where your upper arms are perpendicular to the ground.

I just tried this as an example, and this is a complete non-scientific statement, but the press did feel like it was stressing a different part of my shoulder. It felt like something else other than the front delt was taking more of the stress. Of course, that could be psychological, but it is what it is I guess.

**CowPimp** · 01-02-2007, 10:45 AM

I would think you are using less anterior delt in that case.

Witchblade · 01-02-2007, 11:55 AM

Just do overhead dumbell presses. That way you won't have to move the weight (barbell) to the front side of your body.

Stewart20 · 01-02-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

Just do overhead dumbell presses. That way you won't have to move the weight (barbell) to the front side of your body.

you are correct, but I am really up there in weight, and I find it difficult/too much wasted energy to clean the dbs up into position to start. I work out alone, so I don't have anyone who could hand them to me....

AKIRA · 01-02-2007, 06:18 PM

Hmph, I started having that problem.

01-02-2007, 07:47 AM	#1
Stewart20 I have a headache Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: All you can eat Chinese Buffet Posts: 2,753 Photos: 2	Upper Range of Overhead Press BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com Is there any truth to this....that the top range of the overhead press, say the top 12 inches or so, is where the medial delts take over to a larger extent? My problem is that I know my front delts are disproportionally larger than the medial and rear delts. I want to include an overhead press in my routine just for shoulder health so I am using the joint from all angles, but I don't want my front delts really getting any more work after I do my benching movements. I am concentrating on the benching movements now, so overhead pressing will be a secondary concern. If I could do overhead rack presses with the pins set at just above ear level, does that take some stress of the front delts and switch it to the medial delts, or is it just a false statement, and the front delts will still take the brunt of the weight?
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01-02-2007, 09:15 AM	#2
wilwn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 198	not necessarily. the lockout of the overhead press is primarily your triceps. your medial delts mainly abduct your arms, while your front delts flex your arm at the shoulder joint. since both abduction and flexion occur equally for the most part throughout the press, i wouldn't say one "takes over" at any given point more than the other.
wilwn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 198

01-02-2007, 09:21 AM	#3
Stewart20 I have a headache Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: All you can eat Chinese Buffet Posts: 2,753 Photos: 2	i agree when you say lockout is mostly triceps, but when I think of lockout as in a rack lockout, I am thinking about a 3 or 4 inch range of motion as in a rack lockout for the bench press. If a normal range press has say a 22-25 inch range of motion (hypothetically), I am referring to just the upper half of that range, past the point where your upper arms are perpendicular to the ground. I just tried this as an example, and this is a complete non-scientific statement, but the press did feel like it was stressing a different part of my shoulder. It felt like something else other than the front delt was taking more of the stress. Of course, that could be psychological, but it is what it is I guess.
	http://futuretrainer.blogspot.com/ --My new blog!!

01-02-2007, 10:45 AM	#4
CowPimp Fueled by Testosterone Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 15,400	I would think you are using less anterior delt in that case.
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01-02-2007, 11:55 AM	#5
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,217 Photos: 2	Just do overhead dumbell presses. That way you won't have to move the weight (barbell) to the front side of your body.
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01-02-2007, 06:18 PM	#7
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 7,510 Photos: 3	Hmph, I started having that problem.
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