- Feb 8, 2004
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Is there an alternative to dumbell shoulder presses?
- Thread starter Maximilian
- Start date
SociallyChallenged
Elite
- Mar 22, 2002
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No, not really. There are only slight variations of it. There's military press, push press, etc for barbells, but those do the exact same movement.
Handstand push-ups, but you might want to practice with a mat underneath you in case you come crashing down.
- Feb 8, 2004
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Heh, im a little bit off of upside down handstand push ups 
Im asking because doing them hurts my lower back a bit, or rather i can feel it taking strain. Maybe im raising the dumbell too high? Maybe the weight is too heavy? (20lbs) I dont know, i just figured an alternative would be better. I worked out dumbell kickbacks are an alternative to that thing where you excercise your triceps by lowering the dumbell behind your head, which i didnt like doing either.
Im asking because doing them hurts my lower back a bit, or rather i can feel it taking strain. Maybe im raising the dumbell too high? Maybe the weight is too heavy? (20lbs) I dont know, i just figured an alternative would be better. I worked out dumbell kickbacks are an alternative to that thing where you excercise your triceps by lowering the dumbell behind your head, which i didnt like doing either.
Some hit to the back is normal. When I do my barbell OH press, back works hard. (Not bragging, but keeping 90 pounds from falling on either side is done, in part, by my back and abs)
Kickbacks have no place in anybody's routine. Stick to dips, close-grip bench press, and a bit of higher rep tricep extensions/pulldowns or w/e.
onlyCOpunk
Platinum Member
- May 25, 2003
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I had to switch to barbell shoulder press because the dumbells were getting a bit big for the size of my forearms. Just make sure you have a spotter, or use a Swiss machine.
But try barbell, it will give the same effect and kick in some new muscles in the process.
But try barbell, it will give the same effect and kick in some new muscles in the process.
purbeast0
No Lifer
- Sep 13, 2001
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if you are feeling pain/too much stress in your lower back, then you are arching it too much. try to keep your back straighter.
w/dumbell presses when you start to get fatigued, the natural reaction is to arch your back backwards to get some help from your chest muscles. however in turn that will put some stress on your lower back that should not be there and can cause pain there.
i actually do dumbell presses as my primary shoulder press exercise cause my lower back is screwed up and I am scared to do standing barbell presses because i won' have support when i try heavy weight. if i had a spot every time i do shoulders i'd do sitting barbell presses, but i won't do those because i popped my shoulder out of its socket doing those years ago trying to lift the bar off myself, so i just steer clear of them.
w/dumbell presses when you start to get fatigued, the natural reaction is to arch your back backwards to get some help from your chest muscles. however in turn that will put some stress on your lower back that should not be there and can cause pain there.
i actually do dumbell presses as my primary shoulder press exercise cause my lower back is screwed up and I am scared to do standing barbell presses because i won' have support when i try heavy weight. if i had a spot every time i do shoulders i'd do sitting barbell presses, but i won't do those because i popped my shoulder out of its socket doing those years ago trying to lift the bar off myself, so i just steer clear of them.
rstrohkirch
Platinum Member
- May 31, 2005
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purbeast0
No Lifer
- Sep 13, 2001
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if i was doing standing i could, but i dont want to cause of my lower back.
the sitting ones i've only used the dedicated racks for that, and the bar always starts behing your head a little bit.
if i moved an upright bench over to the power rack i would still have to move it from behind me somehow forward so that i could get it infront of me.
rstrohkirch
Platinum Member
- May 31, 2005
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What I generally see people do is put the safety bars in so they rest about head level and just leave the bar on those. Once they're done with the set they just drop it on the bars and push it forward and walk out of the rack.
- Feb 8, 2004
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Because they are useless, especially to beginners. There's much better tricep excercises, much like what KoolDrew mentioned. Weighted dips, skull crushers, and pulldowns are my choices.
conorvansmack
Diamond Member
- Feb 24, 2004
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Are you able to do them seated on a "chair" type bench with your low back tight against the back to the bench?
A few tips to reduce back pain (which as pointed out above is caused by excessively arching lower back):
- Squeeze ass hard (this is #1)
- Squeeze abs
- Squeeze DB's or the BB bar hard
- Breath inbetween reps (hold breath
You can try seated as well, not sure if that was mentioned already.
- Squeeze ass hard (this is #1)
- Squeeze abs
- Squeeze DB's or the BB bar hard
- Breath inbetween reps (hold breath
You can try seated as well, not sure if that was mentioned already.
Duh, if your back is giving out, then strenghten your back. The back has muscles too, which most people ignore just like lower body stuff.
Also, I like push press as shoulder excercises. Sure, you use your legs and hips to drive the weight up, but you can also raise the weight and it still uses a lot of shoulder muscles. I find it is easier on the shoulders.
If you are just starting out, I would recommend the compound lifts: squat, deadlift, push-ups, pulls-ups, and push press. Those excercises tax pretty much everything. No need for anything else. You can go with heavy, slow sets, or lighter weight in a circuit for a more cardio workout. You can even throw in some runs in the middle. With proper nutrition, a routine like this will turn you into a monster.
Or better yet, try crossfit.
Also, I like push press as shoulder excercises. Sure, you use your legs and hips to drive the weight up, but you can also raise the weight and it still uses a lot of shoulder muscles. I find it is easier on the shoulders.
If you are just starting out, I would recommend the compound lifts: squat, deadlift, push-ups, pulls-ups, and push press. Those excercises tax pretty much everything. No need for anything else. You can go with heavy, slow sets, or lighter weight in a circuit for a more cardio workout. You can even throw in some runs in the middle. With proper nutrition, a routine like this will turn you into a monster.
Or better yet, try crossfit.
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