Narrow grip Overhead Press OK?

tomcornhole

So I have been rehabbing my shoulder tendinitis for a couple of months now. It got bad enough that I could not do any bench or pressing exercises at all. Rehab is working and my bench is back on the rise with proper form now. I tried OHP today and could not get the oly bar to move with a wide grip. But when I brought my grip in to 12" wide between my thumbs and kept my elbows tucked in, I could at least get reps in with the bar. And I could feel it in my shoulders and traps, so they definitely need the work. It works my triceps hard, but that is one of my strongest muscle groups so I can use that to at least start working my shoulders with a narrow grip OHP. Incline press is about the same although I can take a bit wider grip for that.

I really need to start working the shoulders. All light weight until my tendinitis is all gone, but since I have started benching again, the shoulders are improving. As long as I don't go for 1RP's.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tom

AverageUkDude

I can't overhead press at all due to a herniated disc, don't underestimated how much shoulder work you get from bench and incline bench. Give your injury time, you don't want to regress pushing too hard.

GetSoda

So your hands are just about shoulder width?
Sounds like good form to me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqKhLR1zRaU

tomcornhole

So your hands are just about shoulder width?
Sounds like good form to me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqKhLR1zRaU

THe center of my shoulders is aligned with the center of my grip. Looking at Starting Strength, my thumbs should be aligned with the outside of my shoulder. I guess that isn't too narrow of a grip, then.

tomcornhole

GetSoda, if you are still following this, I wanted to thank you. The combination of that video and re-reading Starting Strength a few time has allowed me to start OHP again. I just went down and following good form, I could press 5x45x10. I haven't been able to do that in years. The key was to get the proper grip width (I was too wide), keep the elbows in starting the press and then making sure the bar followed a vertical path. Seems basic, but missing any of those results in serious shoulder issues. Done properly, I think I can finally progress on my press safely and that will in turn improve my bench and my general quality of life.

So again, many heartfelt thanks.

Tom

GetSoda

Cheers!