Going behind the neck on overhead press (from Gazhole's sticky)

[Marat]

I came across this in Gazhole's sticky "The Butterfly Effect"

"Overhead/Military Press

Replaces - Lateral Raises, Front Raises, Tricep Kickbacks, and Machine Shoulder Press.

A movement that people invariably do wrong (I.e. - behind the neck) which probably does more harm than good by forcing their shoulders back. If done properly, however, the Overhead Press is a guaranteed hit in the vertical pushing department, and once you get into heavier weights one of the most impressive feats of upper body strength."

On ExRx, they display both behind the neck (Barbell Behind Neck Press)

and in front varieties (Barbell Military Press)

From the sound of Gazhole's sticky, it sounds like the behind the neck should be avoided.

Thoughts on the pro's and con's of each method of the overhead press?

 

[Marat]

T-Nation.com | Shoulder Training Bible

Thoughts on this article?

 

[Built]

It's a good one. I've stolen shamelessly from Thibaudau many times (okay, I DO cite him!) - you'll see that I reference him in my bicep article and also in the corner presses I use in my shoulder article.

 

[Gazhole]

The bad thing about the behind the neck version is that it simply forces your shoulders backwards into a situation they are mechanically not meant to find themselves in. Plus there is more chance you're going to drop or bounce the barbell on your neck vertebrae.

 

[T_man]

The bad thing about the behind the neck version is that it simply forces your shoulders backwards into a situation they are mechanically not meant to find themselves in. Plus there is more chance you're going to drop or bounce the barbell on your neck vertebrae.

Imagine if it was natural. And you could do like squat presses. Awesome.

 

[T_man]

Imagine if it was natural. And you could do like squat presses. Awesome.

Spose you could do it in a front squat but the weight would probably be too much to press