Deadlifts and Overhead press

You know, shoulders are complex and sometimes shockingly delicate joints. I've torn both of my rotator cuffs in the past (in non-lifting circumstances) but I do standing OHP with a barbell in large part because I find the bar gives me stability and forces me to push up evenly on both sides in a way that dumbells don't. I think the main reason beginning strength programs focus on the OHP is because, although form is important, it isn't all that complicated and because when strength is your goal big numbers and constant progression are key. That's easier to achieve with the OHP than with an arnold press or similar. Still, do what works for you, absolutely.

His complaints about the deadlift on the other hand I do have some issues with:

There's nothing wrong with Romanian deadlifts, but the limited range of motion compared to conventional focuses on the hamstrings and glutes almost exclusively. They're great at that, but recruit almost no effort from the quads or adductors that you get from the lower portion of the conventional. If we're talking strictly about strain on tendons, I'd be surprised if stopping at the bottom of a Romanian deadlift and starting back up really results in less strain than starting from a dead stop. I know that's one of the arguments against partial-depth squats, they actually put more stress on your joints than going to full depth because of the effort involved in stopping the weight in that position.

Touch and go deadlifts, where you complete the full range of motion from a conventional deadlift without resetting at the bottom seem to introduce more problems than resetting for each rep. It's too easy to let your form slip on the eccentric phase. I mean, technically, the eccentric phase isn't a part of the exercise, but if you aren't dropping the bar from the top like a competition lifter then you have to maintain your posture perfectly and be sure not to release any of the tension in your core before pulling again. Watch video of even very experienced lifters and see how many really manage that. Personally, I need a one or two second pause on the ground between reps to gasp for air and reset my grip if nothing else.

You're right that stiff-legged deadlifts aren't really a part of this conversation but they aren't a 'stretch'. They're a lower back exercise. Despite the similar general motion to deadlifts, the form is different and they belong in a conversation with good mornings or back extensions not conventional or romanian deadlifts.

As for OHP, I've never heard about it causing problems when done properly. I've heard it fixes shoulder problems, but unless you're doing it wrong, I don't really see how it would injure you.

You know, shoulders are complex and sometimes shockingly delicate joints. I've torn both of my rotator cuffs in the past (in non-lifting circumstances) but I do standing OHP with a barbell in large part because I find the bar gives me stability and forces me to push up evenly on both sides in a way that dumbells don't. I think the main reason beginning strength programs focus on the OHP is because, although form is important, it isn't all that complicated and because when strength is your goal big numbers and constant progression are key. That's easier to achieve with the OHP than with an arnold press or similar. Still, do what works for you, absolutely.

His complaints about the deadlift on the other hand I do have some issues with:

There's nothing wrong with Romanian deadlifts, but the limited range of motion compared to conventional focuses on the hamstrings and glutes almost exclusively. They're great at that, but recruit almost no effort from the quads or adductors that you get from the lower portion of the conventional. If we're talking strictly about strain on tendons, I'd be surprised if stopping at the bottom of a Romanian deadlift and starting back up really results in less strain than starting from a dead stop. I know that's one of the arguments against partial-depth squats, they actually put more stress on your joints than going to full depth because of the effort involved in stopping the weight in that position.

Touch and go deadlifts, where you complete the full range of motion from a conventional deadlift without resetting at the bottom seem to introduce more problems than resetting for each rep. It's too easy to let your form slip on the eccentric phase. I mean, technically, the eccentric phase isn't a part of the exercise, but if you aren't dropping the bar from the top like a competition lifter then you have to maintain your posture perfectly and be sure not to release any of the tension in your core before pulling again. Watch video of even very experienced lifters and see how many really manage that. Personally, I need a one or two second pause on the ground between reps to gasp for air and reset my grip if nothing else.

You're right that stiff-legged deadlifts aren't really a part of this conversation but they aren't a 'stretch'. They're a lower back exercise. Despite the similar general motion to deadlifts, the form is different and they belong in a conversation with good mornings or back extensions not conventional or romanian deadlifts.

I heart this post. Everything I wanted to say and more.

I too have a criminally effed up shoulder and have found the Barbell OHP to be a better exercise for me than dumbbell presses (which I gave up after continually feeling "twinges"). It's most likely personal to the lifter and their (if any) anatomical foibles. If you can derive benefit from a pressing variant, still continue to keep getting stronger and (most importantly) don't injure yourself, then stick with it.

OP: As for the Deads. Touch and go is ok if your form is perfect and you're using something submaximal (ie a challenging warmup for reps, or something for speedwork), but good luck with touch-and-go when you're pulling near your maximum! As the above poster says, you need to get everything set and braced again for the next pull.

Perhaps the trainer wants to keep you lifting sub-maximally so wants you to stick with touch-and-go for reps or RDL? We also don't know what particular kinks in your DL form you may have that this trainer may have picked up on. Perhaps he's misguidedly trying to save you from yourself rather than fixing your form? Maybe he doesn't even know what good form is? Too many things could be going on here (as well as him whoring for extra training sessions...)

However, he did say that the overhead press is a dangerous exercise, mainly because it forces your bones into a locked position, which is unnatural, and may lead to rotator cuff injuries; it is really bad for your shoulders. I don't remember his exact words, and I may be waaayyy off regarding what he said, but the main point is that some people may do the overhead press their entire lives and not have any injuries (like Mehdi - creator of Stronglifts), but for others it isn't the same.

However, he did say that the overhead press is a dangerous exercise, mainly because it forces your bones into a locked position, which is unnatural, and may lead to rotator cuff injuries; it is really bad for your shoulders. I don't remember his exact words, and I may be waaayyy off regarding what he said, but the main point is that some people may do the overhead press their entire lives and not have any injuries (like Mehdi - creator of Stronglifts), but for others it isn't the same.

It sounds like someone saying nobody should eat peanuts because some people are allergic to them.

Okay, not gonna worry about what he says, because he says that every program will lead to process regardless. Therefore, I'm sticking with it. However, he did say that the overhead press is a dangerous exercise, mainly because it forces your bones into a locked position, which is unnatural, and may lead to rotator cuff injuries; it is really bad for your shoulders. I don't remember his exact words, and I may be waaayyy off regarding what he said, but the main point is that some people may do the overhead press their entire lives and not have any injuries (like Mehdi - creator of Stronglifts), but for others it isn't the same. He says that I should replace the overhead press with dumbbell shoulder press (standing shoulder press, not seated I'm assuming, else it wouldn't be a compound exercise)? He says that overhead press is not superior to dumbbell shoulder press in any way, and that is a fact.

So I think I'm going to stop overhead pressing, and instead replace it with standing dumbbell shoulder press. Does anyone have any tips for the standing shoulder press? How do I make it so that my lower back isn't stressed? Do I just lower the weight? Tighten my back?

Re-assessed...... Dead-Lift, Dead weight, from the floor to the floor, makes sense.
My question is overall whats the preferred method regarding the deadlift? I touch pause then right back up, i have seen it done without touching the ground, i have seen it done with as much as a three to five second pause (this one more often).