Overhead Press...

stevepax

Just started Stronglifts 5x5 last week, so all my lift weights are pretty low right now. So I'm not having trouble with anything, really, except the overhead press! Today I was only on 50 pounds for that, and I could barely get that bar up there! Why is that one so much harder than everything else? I looked like an idiot there, struggling with this bar with teeny tiny 2.5 lb weights on each end, trying to lift it up like He-Man.

OK, just a vent, nothing to see here.

Loulady

Yup, the OHP is a tough b*tch, especially for women.

ChrisLindsay9

That sounds about right. But don't worry too much about it, you'll see some nice progress over the course of the next several weeks/months though. As you continue with the program, you'll add 10-15 pounds within 4-8 weeks. I'm sure of it. Continued success to you! Don't forget to take pictures flexing and looking all bad in the mirror every several weeks. You'll see the difference, especially in those shoulders (thanks to the overhead presses!).

Hexahedra

You think 50 lbs is bad? I started with 30...

Push ups and chin ups aren't especially tough for me, because I've been doing them forever, even during the decade when I didn't work out. But, I have never done any exercise that touches my shoulders, so OHP just kills me.

BEERRUNNER

Thats not bad! Remember you are just starting out....................I was actually doing this exercise yesterday. I do them with Dumbells though on a 90 degree bench with my back straight. Im at 60 lb dumbells so far.

strongmindstrongbody

I think you're doing great! I only wish I could do the bar for OHP, much less add weight to it. I'm stuck using 15 lb dumbbells. One of these days I'll have to splurge on heavier dumbbells just to be able to work my way up to the bar.

Keep up the good work!

stevepax

Thanks for the encouragement. I guess I don't feel like a total weakling!

Shawshankcan

Couple things here.

1) Screw everyone else in the gym. We all started somewhere. Doesn't matter if you are weak now, you will get stronger. This is just a starting point.

2) Your OHP will/should be weaker compared to other movements. My max bench is around 315, max OHP, pending on which style I am using, 225-240. Then compare this to my deadlift which is 520.

3: It depends on when you do your OHP in your routine. Bench and overhead use the same (to an extend) muscles, such as triceps and anterior deltoids. If you do bench first, your tri and deltoids will be fatigued leading to a weaker OHP.

4) The weight you use today does not matter. It is not the destination, just another point on the journey.

Showcase_Brodown

The numbers on my OHP are modest, but growing. It's a hard (and excellent) exercise. Especially when you are standing and trying to keep your balance while putting weight over your head. Keep going, your shoulders will thank you.

GetSoda

This is pretty much the only lift that came easy to me.
Most people screw up the vertical bar path, the grip width, and the elbows.

When I taught a few people to do it, I always see them moving the bar around their head.
Or I see them grip super wide (just grip slightly wider than shoulder width to start)
Or the elbows flare out. Your forearms should be pretty much vertical during the entire lift. A good training cue for this is to try to bend the bar as you lift. If you grip hard and bend at the same time, it forces your elbows straight.

Your whole body needs to be torqued up for this lift. I stalled at 110 pretty hard about a month into OHP. Then I realized that glute activation is required too. Can't build a good house without a good foundation.