Shoulder presses on bench or standing??

[Allyrulez]

Is it better to execute shoulder presses with you back supported by a bench, or just standing up??


Im thinking of buying some DB's for home use but dont want to buy a bench...

[body]

its fine free standing.

though personally i prefer barbell bar for free standing and dumbells for inclined seat.

Though for growth it will not make much difference which you choose. I just prefer barbell as i like the movement and do not need a spotter as the 1st rep is starting below my ROM for the movement.
with barbell i use the squat rack so easier to start with.

[MM]

I think it's better to use a bench (i.e. sitting) but standing will do just fine. I actually think it's easier to get the DBs "up" when standing, but that the movement isn't as controlled.

[darkdan]

Standing is going to help work other areas of your body just to help keep you standing still.

Sitting while doing it seems to hurt my lower back like it's being compressed or something.

[wrestlemaniac]

I like sitting just cuz if I go to failure theres a spot to put the bar at my gym. It's a preferance thing.

[body]

I like sitting just cuz if I go to failure theres a spot to put the bar at my gym. It's a preferance thing.

but with stadning you got a jump press if trianing alone.

[Vido]

Standing is going to help work other areas of your body just to help keep you standing still.

Sitting while doing it seems to hurt my lower back like it's being compressed or something.

I don't even do shoulder pressing anymore, but when I did I would say the exact opposite. Standing murders your lower back, while seated is quite comfortable.

[mercury]

I prefer to stand with a barbell, but use what works best for you.

[Ross]

Standing is going to help work other areas of your body just to help keep you standing still.

Sitting while doing it seems to hurt my lower back like it's being compressed or something.

I agree with dan, sitting makes my lower back hurt.

[T_Chapman]

i sit because when i go to failure sometimes my back gives out and i get injured. that happened to me several times. so now i kinda learned to stop if my back is going to give out. i never tried it standing but id probably not be able to go to the failure i want to because i have to concentrate on standing. but when i sit thats one less half body to think about.

[Vido]

I think some of you guys have to take a second look at your form if your back is hurting on an exercise where it's being supported.

[body]

well so much for standing. I hurt my lower back today doing them. my bum hurts.

i think i arched a little more as I over compesanted trying to get weight up as i hurt my forarm.

well keep good form

[MM]

I agree with body; I would think you should have more back problems when standing, rather than sitting. In fact, this is why I sit; the only reason I would not sit might be if I was having significant problems getting the weights to the starting position.

[Bruise Brubaker]

I agree with body; I would think you should have more back problems when standing, rather than sitting. In fact, this is why I sit; the only reason I would not sit might be if I was having significant problems getting the weights to the starting position.

What is very important with standing military press is to learn to force correctly. You need to be able to struggle without the need to arch the body backward (a slight one is ok). For that you need good concentration, a strong lower back and strong abs.

I prefer standing because it is a better exercise for the whole body strength.

[twm]

I like to use dumbbells and seated. I don't think its that tough getting the dumbbells up.. just use your knees to move the weight up to the starting position.

[chris mason]

If you hurt your back while performing standing presses it is usually due to a lack of torso or "core" strength. Like anything, you should work your way into standing presses slowly. Start with a weight you can press easily and work your way up from there.

[MM]

I've never hurt myself doing standing presses, I just think that the movement is not as controlled. I'm pretty sure Arnold mentions something similar, but I'm not going to hunt around for it at the moment.

I try to use my knees when sitting, but it doesn't always work out well. As I get into my final set, I'm often struggling to get the weights up. I do get them up -- but I'm just saying.