overhead press plateau

ObsidianMist

first off let me explain why I'm not even doing this exercise with the olympic barbell yet. if you don't care why, move along past this paragraph:

I had a session with a personal trainer to go over form with me for the exercises included in the stronglifts 5x5 program. he actually wanted me to put off starting it for 6-7 weeks and just use machines to get my strength up in the meantime. however I knew if I wasn't doing the moves, my body would forget how they should feel and my form would be *kitten* by the time I started doing the program and my money would have gone to waste. so as a compromise I started doing the program, but only lifting 15 pound bars to start out with. that way I could focus on form for a while instead of jumping right into lifting really heavy weight. I'm a petite female and there's no way I could have started off lifting a 45 pound olympic barbell right off the bat. besides, I'm still eating at a deficit, I have 7 pounds left to lose, so I realize I'm not going to make huge gains with my lifting right now since I'm not eating a lot and I have trouble getting enough protein to boot. maybe that's the whole issue. I don't know.

anyway, here I am a month later, and my squat, deadlift, and bentover row have been progressing pretty steadily. my benchpress has been a bit slower going, but still progressing more than my overhead press. for quite a while now I've been plateau'd at 30lbs with my overhead press. I continue to struggle to lift 30lbs so I haven't felt ready to increase to 35. I'm officially getting frustrated with it. so I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for how I can get stronger with this move. I was thinking about it in the shower and considering maybe doing like one set of 5 reps with a 35lb bar then doing the other 4 with 30lbs and then next workout doing 2 sets with 35 and the other 3 with 30 and continuing like that until I can get through all 5 sets of 5 reps with the 35lb bar? is just pushing through it my only option, or is there something else I can do? has anyone else struggled this much with this exercise?

hill8570

Everyone struggles with OHP. Sounds like you're using a fixed-weight bar, so the usual first solution of going to microplates (so you can progress at a slower rate) looks to be out. Could try increasing reps one at a time before bumping weight (so do 5x6 at working weight, 5x7 next time, then 5x8, increase weight, then drop back to 5x5... or maybe even 5x3 or 5x4...depends on how patient your are).

ObsidianMist

hill8570 wrote: »

Everyone struggles with OHP. Sounds like you're using a fixed-weight bar, so the usual first solution of going to microplates (so you can progress at a slower rate) looks to be out. Could try increasing reps one at a time before bumping weight (so do 5x6 at working weight, 5x7 next time, then 5x8, increase weight, then drop back to 5x5... or maybe even 5x3 or 5x4...depends on how patient your are).

yeah until I get strong enough to lift 45+lbs, I'm stuck using the fixed weight bars at my gym so I have no choice but to go up 5lbs at a time because that's what's available to me. increasing reps for a while is an idea I hadn't thought of. thanks!

jemhh

Think of something to use in place of microplates. A few washers strapped on each end with short velcro strips, a pair of wrist weights wrapped on the bar, etc.

spockaholic

I haven't started stronglifts yet, but I've been doing a different workout and increasing my overhead press with that.

What I do is start off doing 4x5 at whatever my max is. The next workout, I do 1x6 and 3x5 at the same weight. Then 2x6 and 2x5 at that weight. When I can do 1x7 and 3x6, I bump the weight up for the next session and start again at 4x5. It's not the fastest method, but I increase my lifts consistently. (Or at least I did, until I reached a point where I also would have to go up about 5lbs at once. I need to invest in microplates.)

SeanNJ

Have you had someone check your form? Things we can get away with at a lower weight can restrict our progress when things start to get heavy. Recovery is important too. Strength programs generally counsel against doing other workouts at the same time since they essentially compete for those resources that would be used to build muscle and strength. If you're incorporating other workouts during the week, that could be contributing to your difficulty.

ObsidianMist

the personal trainer I saw taught me proper form for all the moves, yes. and I follow the stronglifts program, so lift day, rest day, lift day, rest day, lift day, 2 rest days, start over. plenty of recovery time.

hill8570

ObsidianMist wrote: »

the personal trainer I saw taught me proper form for all the moves...

Being trained is a great first step, but either videoing yourself to review (or to show others) or having someone experienced watch you is worth doing if you're having trouble making it through a sticking point. What we see in our minds and what our bodies are actually doing are often very different things.

ObsidianMist

I'm pretty positive I'm doing exactly the same thing I was a month ago. the overhead press is fairly straightforward. I just tend to get a bit shaky during the last set of reps.

Chieflrg

Video from side and back will tell me a lot. I lift very heavy at OHP but wasn't always that way. Something I've had to work at to get to 225lb.

While form is usually the culprit, I would point out if you are failing you should be dropping weight I usually do 10% and continue with program.

OHP is almost always the first to fail and with good reason. So you're not alone at getting stuck.

Incline dumbell press, flat bench and dips has helped me push through plateaus as accessory lifts. Something along those lines can be an option for you.

cgvet37

I know this will probably twist some panties, but work on some isolation exercises. Hit each head of your shoulder separately.

saramickeydee

I got some great advice (on another forum). I bought some large washers with a 2" hole in the center to use instead of fractional plates. Each one I received (ordered online) weighed 10.2 ounces. I think the four I bought plus shipping cost me about $15. So now I can increase in much smaller increments.

My OHP lags way behind my other lifts but I keep hearing that's normal.

saramickeydee

ObsidianMist wrote: »

hill8570 wrote: »

Everyone struggles with OHP. Sounds like you're using a fixed-weight bar, so the usual first solution of going to microplates (so you can progress at a slower rate) looks to be out. Could try increasing reps one at a time before bumping weight (so do 5x6 at working weight, 5x7 next time, then 5x8, increase weight, then drop back to 5x5... or maybe even 5x3 or 5x4...depends on how patient your are).

& yes I do this. It's not how the program is written but it's helping me. I up the weight on one set this workout, then next workout with ohp I up it for two sets, and so on.

I think being in a calorie deficit, having a weaker upper body and maybe being female make progress in this lift slower than is written.

ObsidianMist

I haven't failed, I just don't feel strong enough with it to increase the weight.

I also have no money and can't afford to buy extra bits and pieces to attach to the bar.

it's comforting to at least hear that it's common for it to lag behind. thanks for the tips!

hill8570

cgvet37 wrote: »

I know this will probably twist some panties, but work on some isolation exercises. Hit each head of your shoulder separately.

Nor bad advice, especially considering the trainer she consulted recommended something similar.

jimmmer

hill8570 wrote: »

cgvet37 wrote: »

I know this will probably twist some panties, but work on some isolation exercises. Hit each head of your shoulder separately.

Nor bad advice, especially considering the trainer she consulted recommended something similar.

Agree with this.

Chuck in some front, lateral and rear delt raises. You'll see imediately if you have any l/r strength deficiencies and also how weak your rear delt are compared to the other bits of your shoulder.

Then work on bringing up the lagging aspects while progressing you OHP game.

Also: have your form rechecked. Someone said upthread: weaknesses/form issue creep that you get away with at lighter weights become a roadblock if you don't get out in front of them.

Common issues are excessive lumbar movement/lack of bracing and poor scap control. Learning how to use the lats (built on engaged glutes and a braced core) makes things feel lighter too...

aimeelav

You are not alone! I've been doing stronglifts for a little over a month now and can only do 50lbs 3x5 on OHP. The rest of my lifts have progressed so trying to not best myself up over it!

viren19890

Try push press with heavy weight- heavier than you can lift right now. With push press you'd be able to do it. It'll give you the confidence and somewhat shock the muscles. Let go of OHP for couple of weeks completely and try push press. Keep in mind- not talking about cross fit move but push press.

Also I'd like to point out- that 5x5 cannot be run forever - they eventually fail. They are well suited for beginners but after that, they just don't work.

5/3/1 or something similar can last a lifetime because the program in itself has built in parameters to ensure that.
You might've not run into a barrier yet but 5x5 just don't cut it.

SideSteel

If you aren't progressing and your technique is solid then it's typically a matter of needing more training volume or more recovery.

If you feel recovered and everything else is going well then I'd consider adding more training volume to the overhead press and see if that helps. Consider adding another set or building repetitions through a given range of reps before you add more weight to the bar.

ninerbuff

Since overhead press involves the triceps to a great degree, try working on increasing strength in them. Dips and close grip benching are starters.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

shor0814

ObsidianMist wrote: »

I haven't failed, I just don't feel strong enough with it to increase the weight.

I also have no money and can't afford to buy extra bits and pieces to attach to the bar.

it's comforting to at least hear that it's common for it to lag behind. thanks for the tips!

If you have completed all 5x5@30 lbs then add weight anyway and try. Follow the program's failure ans deloading protocol and move on. Don'the be afraid to fail at the heavier weight, that is part of progressing forward. If you never try then you will never find out.

Look around the gym for 1 lb ankle weights, I bet you can find some and strap them to the bar. Then try your 5x5 at 32 lbs and see what happens.

If you can post a video you should. Nothing bad can come of it.

TheBigFb

Shoudler muscles are smaller that leg, chest and back muscles. Hence takes longer

hill8570

viren19890 wrote: »

Also I'd like to point out- that 5x5 cannot be run forever - they eventually fail. They are well suited for beginners but after that, they just don't work.

5/3/1 or something similar can last a lifetime because the program in itself has built in parameters to ensure that.
You might've not run into a barrier yet but 5x5 just don't cut it.

OP has been running SL for a bloody month. It's way, way, way too early to be talking about moving to an intermediate program.

Soundwave79

Of all the compound lifting I do OHP has been the hardest to progress. I've been stuck in plateaus for months at a time where 5 lbs can be the difference between my 1RM and failure. I just keep trying and failing until I finally get it up. But it's a slow going process.

sunnybeaches105

OHP is a great excuse to buy a women's bar and training plates. To progress it's helpful to have weights light enough to do some higher rep work and build some muscle upon which to build strength gains. If nothing else, use some lighter dumbbells and do sets of 10-20+ reps as an accessory exercise. If all you're ever doing are sets of 5 and fewer then you're likely not progressing as fast as you otherwise could.

DopeItUp

ObsidianMist wrote: »

I haven't failed, I just don't feel strong enough with it to increase the weight.

I also have no money and can't afford to buy extra bits and pieces to attach to the bar.

it's comforting to at least hear that it's common for it to lag behind. thanks for the tips!

I would consider following the program and just going for it. Going by "feel" as a newbie lifter is a great way to spin your wheels.

dave_in_ni

Have the same issue, I've been stuck on 30kg/66lbs for about 3 months where as I am more than double than on bench press and squats. I generally do 6 reps x 3 sets and its a damn struggle. I hate OHP with a passion.

rileyes

See if your gym can add a women's 35# bar. The grip is smaller and the 10# weight difference may make it easier for you to start with the bar. I use a 35# bar for my lifts and reserve my 45# bar for landmine work (Landmines, presses, rows...). The Landmine training is another option that may help your training.

ETA: usually a tight glute-squeeze can help me with OHP.

singletrackmtbr

Have you considered dumbells? For OHP they allow a much more natural motion, and force your stabilizer muscles to work harder, which will increase your strength overall. It will also alert you if one side is doing more work than the other when using the BB.

I would also suggest working on slow negatives (helps with strength for any exercise) and perhaps some bodyweight work. Pike pushups are great, and can be easily modified for any strength level.

Good luck!

ObsidianMist

wow, so many replies I don't even know where to start. some interesting ideas, some lingo I honestly don't have a clue what it means, haha, I think I shall do some reading and video watching to ensure my stance is correct and just try to start to incorporate some sets with the 35lb bar and attempt to be patient. maybe I'll google some of the extra exercises you've all suggested and see if anything seems like something I would want to add in for a bit.

RachNRoll

I feel your pain and we kind of had a similar start, except I'm not a petite frame and I was overweight when I started (I still am, but there was progress). OHP is always a struggle, nobody likes it. For me, training triceps has been helping, but I'm not doing 5x5 anymore (I'm doing 3x12 so I had to deload from my PR)