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finding difficult to Over head press

124

Replies

  • Theoldguy1 wrote: »

    Thank you i was going to say the same thing. Maybe add after you've done pull ups to failure dead hang as long as you can.

    I have read many well respected strength and conditioning people will say one shouldn't be messing with isolated bicep and grip work until the have mastered pullups.

    Farmer walks are geeat also.

    The only caveat I would add to that is that if a person is OBESE, some curls and lat pulls could help them until they get strong enough/lose enough weight to do pull-ups.
  • Posts: 193 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »

    Thank you i was going to say the same thing. Maybe add after you've done pull ups to failure dead hang as long as you can.

    I have read many well respected strength and conditioning people will say one shouldn't be messing with isolated bicep and grip work until the have mastered pullups.

    Farmer walks are geeat also.

    ok what do you mean " Maybe add after you've done pull ups to failure dead hang as long as you can." ? this sentence doesnt make sense to me.

    u mean its better to incorporporate other isolated exercises for forearms and biceps?
  • Posts: 193 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    @jonmarrow maybe I've missed it, but I didn't see you talking about your actual workouts since your OP on Sept 27. Have you been working out this week? How's it been going?


    yes I am happy to share my progress. However, my main concern, which is why opened this discussion seems to have been lost in translation and would appreciate if someone could suggest how I should modify my routine in order to move further in this program:

    LAST WORKOUTS:

    Friday, 4th October 2019:

    -Squats: 105 lbs
    5x5
    -*Overhead press: 65 lbs----3x5, 2x4
    -Deadlift: 145 lbs
    1x5

    Wednesday, 2nd October 2019:

    -Squats: 95 lbs
    5x5
    -BenchPress: 85 lbs
    5x5
    -Barbell Row: 95 lbs
    5x5

    As you can see from the above the problem for me is **Overhead press. Cleary I am not good at this. I was able to 3 sets of 5 reps each some what successfully but the time i got to 4 and 5, I couldn't pull bar all the way up for the 5th rep. Hence for last 2 sets I was only able to do 4 reps.
    I dont know what's wrong with me. For some reason I am not able to do overhead presses. What could this be an indication of? weak arms? weak shoulders? How do I work on this weakness?
    How do I move forward with this program now that I have learned that I am unable to do overhead press beyond 65 lbs?



  • Posts: 193 Member
    edited October 2019
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    @jonmarrow maybe I've missed it, but I didn't see you talking about your actual workouts since your OP on Sept 27. Have you been working out this week? How's it been going?


    yes I am happy to share my progress. However, my main concern, which is why opened this discussion seems to have been lost in translation and would appreciate if someone could suggest how I should modify my routine in order to move further in this program:

    LAST WORKOUTS:

    Friday, 4th October 2019:

    -Squats: 105 lbs-5x5
    -*Overhead press: 65 lbs-3x5, 2x4
    -Deadlift: 145 lbs-1x5



    Wednesday, 2nd October 2019:

    -Squats: 95 lbs-5x5
    -BenchPress: 85 lbs-5x5
    -Barbell Row: 95 lbs-5x5

    As you can see from the above the problem for me is *Overhead press. Cleary I am not good at this. I was able to 3 sets of 5 reps each some what successfully but the time i got to 4 and 5, I couldn't pull bar all the way up for the 5th rep. Hence for last 2 sets I was only able to do 4 reps.
    I dont know what's wrong with me. For some reason I am not able to do overhead presses. What could this be an indication of? weak arms? weak shoulders? How do I work on this weakness?
    How do I move forward with this program now that I have learned that I am unable to do overhead press beyond 65 lbs?



  • Posts: 503 Member
    Also a video of your press would help identify any form issues that may be hindering your progress...
  • Posts: 12,294 Member
    jonmarrow wrote: »


    yes I am happy to share my progress. However, my main concern, which is why opened this discussion seems to have been lost in translation and would appreciate if someone could suggest how I should modify my routine in order to move further in this program:

    LAST WORKOUTS:

    Friday, 4th October 2019:

    -Squats: 105 lbs-5x5
    -*Overhead press: 65 lbs-3x5, 2x4
    -Deadlift: 145 lbs-1x5



    Wednesday, 2nd October 2019:

    -Squats: 95 lbs-5x5
    -BenchPress: 85 lbs-5x5
    -Barbell Row: 95 lbs-5x5

    As you can see from the above the problem for me is *Overhead press. Cleary I am not good at this. I was able to 3 sets of 5 reps each some what successfully but the time i got to 4 and 5, I couldn't pull bar all the way up for the 5th rep. Hence for last 2 sets I was only able to do 4 reps.
    I dont know what's wrong with me. For some reason I am not able to do overhead presses. What could this be an indication of? weak arms? weak shoulders? How do I work on this weakness?
    How do I move forward with this program now that I have learned that I am unable to do overhead press beyond 65 lbs?



    For OHP, lower the weight back down to 55, if you gext 5x5, go to go 60, if you fail on 65 two tines in a row (2 workouts in a row, not 2 sets), then drop do 55 again and work back up, ots called deloading. Another optikn is get microbplates 1.25 lbs each and increasebthe weight by 2.5 lbs/workout instead if 5lbs
  • Posts: 193 Member

    so you are benching 85lbs now when before you couldn't do just the bar? shouldn't you be thrilled by this??

    yes but i am talking about OHP
  • Posts: 193 Member
    wiigelec wrote: »
    Also a video of your press would help identify any form issues that may be hindering your progress...

    some of you were really rude and mean to me here, i lost track of the abuse i received here, in my PMs etc. so no, i will not be sharing any videos of myself here.
  • Posts: 193 Member
    erickirb wrote: »

    For OHP, lower the weight back down to 55, if you gext 5x5, go to go 60, if you fail on 65 two tines in a row (2 workouts in a row, not 2 sets), then drop do 55 again and work back up, ots called deloading. Another optikn is get microbplates 1.25 lbs each and increasebthe weight by 2.5 lbs/workout instead if 5lbs

    thank u i really appreciate that, so is this like a known technique? i will follow this in my next workout going forward
  • Posts: 193 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »

    No. Isolation exercises would be of questionable value. What i was suggesting would be do as many pullups as possible. When you can no longer do a repition just hold in the bottom position as long as you can to build grip/forearm strength.

    sorry but isn't pullups still an isolation exercise?

  • Posts: 2,520 Member
    edited October 2019
    jonmarrow wrote: »

    sorry but isn't pullups still an isolation exercise?

    No, the pull-up uses multiple muscle groups in the back shoulders and arms, i.e., the definition of a compound exercise. Google compound exercises and you will see the pull up listed. Couple examples below:

    https://www.livestrong.com/article/477024-list-of-compound-exercises/
    https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/full-body-exercises/top-10-compound-lifts-maximum-size-and-strength
    https://breakingmuscle.com/fitness/pull-up-vs-chin-up-a-comparison-and-analysis
  • Posts: 12,294 Member
    jonmarrow wrote: »

    sorry but isn't pullups still an isolation exercise?

    issolations are typically when only one joint moves. bicep curls and triceps pushdowns, only the elbow moves. pull-ups both your elbow and shoulder joints and associated muscles are used. squats, knee, ankle and hip compound; leg extension just knees hence isolation.
  • Posts: 193 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »

    No, the pull-up uses multiple muscle groups in the back shoulders and arms, i.e., the definition of a compound exercise. Google compound exercises and you will see the pull up listed. Couple examples below:

    https://www.livestrong.com/article/477024-list-of-compound-exercises/
    https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/full-body-exercises/top-10-compound-lifts-maximum-size-and-strength
    https://breakingmuscle.com/fitness/pull-up-vs-chin-up-a-comparison-and-analysis

    thank u so u dont recommend doing any isolation exercise like bicep curls etc? when can i start doing isolation exercises?
  • Posts: 193 Member
    erickirb wrote: »

    issolations are typically when only one joint moves. bicep curls and triceps pushdowns, only the elbow moves. pull-ups both your elbow and shoulder joints and associated muscles are used. squats, knee, ankle and hip compound; leg extension just knees hence isolation.



    thanks
    so as I am adding more weights to my stronglifts workout, I am getting a bit worried as to how long I would be able keep this? It felt easy in the beginning but now it's getting difficult to do the workouts as I am adding more weights.
    Is it supposed to feel that way? I dont think I can do past 35 lbs on each side of the barbell.
    What should I do after that? please advise.
  • Posts: 12,294 Member
    edited October 2019
    jonmarrow wrote: »



    thanks
    so as I am adding more weights to my stronglifts workout, I am getting a bit worried as to how long I would be able keep this? It felt easy in the beginning but now it's getting difficult to do the workouts as I am adding more weights.
    Is it supposed to feel that way? I dont think I can do past 35 lbs on each side of the barbell.
    What should I do after that? please advise.

    If you fail at a weight for two workouts in a row, drop the weight by 20 lbs and build back up again. it is called a deload, take a look at the program, it is all spelled on what to do if you fail.

    so this time you may get to 115 lbs (35/side + bar), then deload and build back up and you may not fail next time until 130 lbs. rinse and repeat.

    another option, while in a deficit, is try 3x5 (like starting strength does) easier to progress when you only have to complete 3 sets. when in a deficit, recovery is harder and makes the 5x5 hardera than if you were in a caloric surplus.
  • Posts: 503 Member
    Perhaps Wendler 5/3/1 would be more suited to your preferences...
  • Posts: 193 Member

    Unreasonable expectations, lack of patience, fear of the work being "hard" appear to be the driving forces here.

    Either that or we've all been taking the bait....

    @jonmarrow - just put in the work. Be prepared to work hard. Everything you need is out there. Get on the Strong Lifts, Starting Strength, Wendler, Barbell Medicine or whatever site you want. Buy one of their books if you like. Most of what's in the books can be gleaned from their website articles, blogs, forums, etc. Even reddit has forums on this stuff, complete with people posting videos of their form and asking for feedback. They have Facebook pages too.

    If you fear this too much to engage, then don't do it. If not, then continue what you've started. If you are totally unsure, get coaching. If you can't afford coaching, video yourself and submit them to one of those places (not here). Watch Alan Thrall's form videos for each of the major lifts. Or Mark Rippetoe or Austin Baraki. After doing that, do it again. A few weeks later, do it again.

    I've been at it now for about 30 months. You know what? I still go back and watch form videos. It's still hard work.

    so this program works for everyone no matter what? i just have thing at the back of my mind that this may not work for me because genetics are not that good or that im just weak...
  • Posts: 193 Member
    wiigelec wrote: »
    Perhaps Wendler 5/3/1 would be more suited to your preferences...

    what is that?
  • Posts: 2,520 Member
    edited October 2019
    jonmarrow wrote: »

    thank u so u dont recommend doing any isolation exercise like bicep curls etc? when can i start doing isolation exercises?

    If you want to gain muscle size and strength, you need to build the large muscles of your body which is done with compound exercises.

    My son's have had several friends in athletic programs at major universities (where the experts are there to train the student athletes to be bigger, stronger and faster). I have talked to them and the strength coach never programmed bicep curl in their workouts. They were told if they wanted to do a few sets at the end of their training they could

    You can do some curls if you really want to but IMO, and if you look at the work of the experts they should be a minor part of your program (if at all) and the one of the first things to eliminate if short on time.
  • Posts: 12,294 Member
    jonmarrow wrote: »

    so this program works for everyone no matter what? i just have thing at the back of my mind that this may not work for me because genetics are not that good or that im just weak...

    If you do the work and fuel yourself properly it will work.
  • Posts: 15,532 Member
    wiigelec wrote: »

    LMGT4Y has really gone down hill over the years.
This discussion has been closed.