Thread: Military Press

I avoid the Smith machine like the plague.

I have used dumbells in the past for the Military Press with ok results. However, I now only use barbells (while standing). With barbells I feel I can use more weight therefore incorporating more stabilization muscles when performing the exercise while standing.

I have experienced tremendous growth in my lats, traps, as well as shoulders. I feel this is the best upper body exercise there is for me. Rows are second.

why not do both. switch it up

Originally Posted by WYLER98

I avoid the Smith machine like the plague.

I have used dumbells in the past for the Military Press with ok results. However, I now only use barbells (while standing). With barbells I feel I can use more weight therefore incorporating more stabilization muscles when performing the exercise while standing.

I have experienced tremendous growth in my lats, traps, as well as shoulders. I feel this is the best upper body exercise there is for me. Rows are second.

Standing, my core isn't stable enough to give this a shot yet. Sounds terribly interesting though.

I do standing with Dumbells, but ive done Seated DB, Seated BB, and Standing BB with similar results.

I prefer DBs because i find i can get greater range of motion, plus it takes more effort to stabilize which will help you overall anyway.

If anything you're more likely to get injured on the smith, because it forces you to use an un-natural plane of motion. However slight the difference might be, its still fixed plane and dead straight - two things your body is not.

My advice would be to switch to free weights, even if you have to start much lighter, seated, or both.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

I do standing with Dumbells, but ive done Seated DB, Seated BB, and Standing BB with similar results.

I prefer DBs because i find i can get greater range of motion, plus it takes more effort to stabilize which will help you overall anyway.

If anything you're more likely to get injured on the smith, because it forces you to use an un-natural plane of motion. However slight the difference might be, its still fixed plane and dead straight - two things your body is not.

My advice would be to switch to free weights, even if you have to start much lighter, seated, or both.

Agree 100%.

Roger that, I've done them with dumbells in the past and felt it was much more challenging to battle a pair of 50lb DB than blast a barbell of 135lb up.

Glad to see this isn't just me.

I always do military pressing without a spotter. I don't find it necessary...

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I always do military pressing without a spotter. I don't find it necessary...

Me neither, if I can't make the lift, the weight didn't go to far from my shoulders in the first place, and I walk it right back to the rack.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I always do military pressing without a spotter. I don't find it necessary...

I use the smith machine once in a blue moon for CG Bench Press and that's about it. As far as military press, I use the far end of an EZ Curl Bar and I've never used a spotter. I would have never even thought of having some one spot me for Military Press...

I just envision dropping a barbell on my head, with dumbells I can at least let them fall to the side if I can't make the lift.

You'd drop the barbell to your front more likely.

IMO:
Standing > seated
Free weights > machines (especially smith machine)
barbell = dumbells (I prefer the barbell slightly tho)

Originally Posted by WYLER98

I avoid the Smith machine like the plague.

I have used dumbells in the past for the Military Press with ok results. However, I now only use barbells (while standing). With barbells I feel I can use more weight therefore incorporating more stabilization muscles when performing the exercise while standing.

I have experienced tremendous growth in my lats, traps, as well as shoulders. I feel this is the best upper body exercise there is for me. Rows are second.

I agree about the smith!....When you do them with the BB are you doing them like a push press? That's how I do them and they have really made a big difference in my shoulders, the row's and Plate raises are also great!...

Originally Posted by Witchblade

You'd drop the barbell to your front more likely.

IMO:
Standing > seated
Free weights > machines (especially smith machine)
barbell = dumbells (I prefer the barbell slightly tho)

At the worst I end up catching the bar like a clean. Much better standing IMO.

I think the push press is better for power and strength, while a controlled military press is better for size.

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I think the push press is better for power and strength, while a controlled military press is better for size.

Maybe so, but between the Push press, Plate raises and row's, my shoulders have gotten much better.....Bigger and stronger!...

Another detail Id like to point out about doing militaries on smiths is that because the bar is on that fixed plane someone else mentioned, the weight slides vertically up (sometimes at an angle depending on the machine), hence robbing you of overall performance.

Originally Posted by ReproMan

At the worst I end up catching the bar like a clean. Much better standing IMO.

At least with standing you can jump out of the way if you really do lose it.

The only time I get nervous about militaries is when my arms are at full extension. If its a heavy weight, sometimes it wobbles.

Oh and uhh...as the bar goes passed my face. (I have a big schnoz)

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I think the push press is better for power and strength, while a controlled military press is better for size.

push press aren't an upper body movement, almost all of the power should be coming from your legs.

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Oh and uhh...as the bar goes passed my face. (I have a big schnoz)

You and I both brother, it does get irritating. I know I can clean more than I can shoulder press. So maybe thats the way I'll do it, on and off with dumbells. Rotate it and keep my body guessing.

What is this push press you all are talking about.

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I think the push press is better for power and strength, while a controlled military press is better for size.

I'm torn between the two. I love the push press and the military press.

I agree with everyone saying don't use smith. The only thing I do on the smith is declines presses if I can't find a spotter.

Originally Posted by KelJu

I agree with everyone saying don't use smith. The only thing I do on the smith is declines presses if I can't find a spotter.

Yeah I'm a loner at the gym, I don't listen to music, and I don't chit chat. I get in there hit it hard and get out. Along with that if I want to go heavy on something and I feel I may need a spot I just use dumbells unless I'm in a position that I can easily abort the bar if neccesary.

Nat saying its right or wrong, thats just me.

The Smith is a steaming lump, I used it twice just for the sake of trying and having seen some other gym members use it. Its a fixed and un-natural movement.

I am tall with long arms, so excercises like this with dumbells tend to get sway action. We'll see how it goes Thursday, I'll report back.

Originally Posted by Uthinkso

What is this push press you all are talking about.

Its pretty close to a standing military. You use some momentum in your legs to drive the weight up. Thats a synopsis about it. Someone will provide a pic I am sure...

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Its pretty close to a standing military. You use some momentum in your legs to drive the weight up. Thats a synopsis about it. Someone will provide a pic I am sure...

Sounds dead on to me.

Originally Posted by mike456

push press aren't an upper body movement, almost all of the power should be coming from your legs.

Yes, a lot of the power comes from the Legs (to jerk the weight up), but to say it is not an upper body movement is ridiculous.

Originally Posted by mike456

push press aren't an upper body movement, almost all of the power should be coming from your legs.

Wrong. Push press is more upper body than lower body.

I do dumbbells to the front in the front of my workout followed by a series of exercises, finished off with the press behind the neck on a smith machine with high reps, only going down to the tips of my ears and back. I get a pump unlike any other exercise with that one movement alone. My rear delts have been growing like crazy lately because of it.

Behind the neck... smith machine... pump.