[raghavendra]

Hello,
I am confused after I read an article and watched a video of Musclefitness.
The article said that front press if the best exersice among these 3 exercise:Shoulder press front, Behind Neck Press ,Military Dumbell Press. It also states that although the effect of these exercise are almost same it's the front press which is best and one should only do front press and not other 2 because that would be waste of time and power. Also the video of Musclefitness stated that front press is the natural way of exercise in comaparison to back press because it reduces the chances of injury.
Now from my experience and what I know, I use to think that all of the above 3 are equally good exercise with little difference in their effects while front press stresses the front deltoid much more, the back press involves more of back shoulder while the military press equally stess the 3 heads with little more emphasis on lateral head.

Guys please comment ...and give any info regarding my doubts ....

What my shoulder routine for now is :

Military Dumbell Press/Shoulder press front / Behind Neck Press ( any one of them in a schedule)
Lateral Raise
Front Raise
Rear Lateral Raise
Upright Row
horizotnal row ( similar to back but I pull the rope towards my shoulder with arms keeping parallel..I have been told ots a good exercise for back shoulder)
Shrugs(for traps as upright row also targets trap)

[crazytomie]

I would stay away from heavy stuff behind the head.

[Swifty]

^^^cosig....i've heard the same thing that injury can occur alot easier with the behind the neck press so i stick with the front press

wait for some of the VIP guys to answer though because they know alot more about this

[Kaboom]

I feel that the front press puts more emphasis on the front delts.Ilike behind the neck presses only when Im standing and using the regular bench bar.I feel that its more of a natural movement than the pull down or any machine and this is the only behind the neck movement i do.There is a greater risk for injury but you just have to be careful.I get a good all around pump from these.
This is my opinion and will differ from many Im sure.

[ZiR RED]

First, disregard just about anything you read in Muscle and Fiction.

Secondly, when performing a press behind the neck, you must lower your head. When people tilt their chins down, their backs follow suit loosing that natural arch and increasing the risks of injuries to spine.

Third, and perhaps most important. Feel the top of your shoulder. Do you feel that boney process where the top of the shoulder blade and end of the collar bone meet. That is your acromium, it makes up part of your shoulder junction. The tendon of the supraspinatus, the most commonly injured muscle in the rotator cuff runs beneath the acromium. Any time you are doing presses or pull downs behind your neck, or doing any chest presses with the elbows flaired out away from the body, the tendon is being impinged between the bone of the upper arm and the acromium. Over time the tendon becomes inflamed, leading to tendonitis, loss of strength, and even tears.

So, keep your elbows in and never go behind your head.

Br

[Shwitt88]

cosign with Zir Red
i would definitly recommend staying away from anything behind the head.
as far as which is better between BB and DB press, thats more up to you to decide. obviously DB is going to isolate each shouler seperately as apposed to BB press. I prefer DB press, some people actually do both.
i say try them out and decide for yourself

[ZackKnight]

Cosign with Zir

nothing behind the head

[raghavendra]

Thanx crazytomie, Swifty, Kaboom,ZiR RED, Shwitt88, ZackKnight for the quick reply..

In reference to ZiR RED reply....

ny time you are doing presses or pull downs behind your neck, or doing any chest presses with the elbows flaired out away from the body, the tendon is being impinged between the bone of the upper arm and the acromium. Over time the tendon becomes inflamed, leading to tendonitis, loss of strength, and even tears.

If this is the case then I also want to ask that I have heard the ideal position for arms in chest press is 3pm and 9pm, I mean flared out exactly perpendicular to body (although it is very difficult to maintain but its ideal as supposedly it puts max stress on chest)..
Zir RED could you please clarify in this regard...

[Shwitt88]

heres a thread regarding exactly your question
Elbows tucked in or flared out? My big bench question

[raghavendra]

thanx Shwitt88...

[picabloo]

yup i made that thread not too long ago, if you didn't link it i would have lol, nice shwitt

[Iron_Mercenary]

I like behind the neck presses. They just take practice. As long as you have the technique down & use reasonable amounts of weight they can be highly benefecial to your shoulder development. However I feel that Dumbbell presses are best for accumulation of shoulder mass.

[Shwitt88]

haha thanks picabloo