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Military press

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I feel weakest just as the bar gets to the top of my head.

Not sure what muscle that is.

Though I don't do military (heels together)

my heels are usually apart by 4-6 inches
 
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Howard
When you first started doing it, what muscle(s) gave out first? Right now, it's actually my lats, even though they don't even get a mention here:

http://exrx.net/WeightExercise...r/BBMilitaryPress.html
Click to expand...

Lats are a pulling muscle, not a pushing muscle so it's not your lats that are giving out. It should be the top of your pec or your deltoids that give out.
Click to expand...
I'm damn sure it's not my pecs, and I don't think it's my rear delts. Seriously, my lats feel like they're struggling pretty hard as I pass the midpoint of the press (back starts to shake).

Since the shoulder blade rotates to press up, maybe the lat pulls down on the medial side?
 
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Howard
When you first started doing it, what muscle(s) gave out first? Right now, it's actually my lats, even though they don't even get a mention here:

http://exrx.net/WeightExercise...r/BBMilitaryPress.html
Click to expand...

Lats are a pulling muscle, not a pushing muscle so it's not your lats that are giving out. It should be the top of your pec or your deltoids that give out.
Click to expand...
I'm damn sure it's not my pecs, and I don't think it's my rear delts. Seriously, my lats feel like they're struggling pretty hard as I pass the midpoint of the press (back starts to shake).
Click to expand...

It's physiologically impossible for your lats to do so (push, that is). It's probably rotator cuff muscles stabilizing the joint. One or two of them are right above the lat so it could be easily confused.
 
When I fail overhead press it's usually right infront of my face, front delts not strong enough. I should probably train handstand push-ups more, I bet they will help.
 
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Howard
When you first started doing it, what muscle(s) gave out first? Right now, it's actually my lats, even though they don't even get a mention here:

http://exrx.net/WeightExercise...r/BBMilitaryPress.html
Click to expand...

Lats are a pulling muscle, not a pushing muscle so it's not your lats that are giving out. It should be the top of your pec or your deltoids that give out.
Click to expand...
I'm damn sure it's not my pecs, and I don't think it's my rear delts. Seriously, my lats feel like they're struggling pretty hard as I pass the midpoint of the press (back starts to shake).
Click to expand...

It's physiologically impossible for your lats to do so (push, that is). It's probably rotator cuff muscles stabilizing the joint. One or two of them are right above the lat so it could be easily confused.
Click to expand...
Ah, that could be it.
 
I usually fail just before I lock my elbows. I'm guessing it's mostly triceps at that point.
 
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Howard
When you first started doing it, what muscle(s) gave out first? Right now, it's actually my lats, even though they don't even get a mention here:

http://exrx.net/WeightExercise...r/BBMilitaryPress.html
Click to expand...

Lats are a pulling muscle, not a pushing muscle so it's not your lats that are giving out. It should be the top of your pec or your deltoids that give out.
Click to expand...
I'm damn sure it's not my pecs, and I don't think it's my rear delts. Seriously, my lats feel like they're struggling pretty hard as I pass the midpoint of the press (back starts to shake).
Click to expand...

It's physiologically impossible for your lats to do so (push, that is). It's probably rotator cuff muscles stabilizing the joint. One or two of them are right above the lat so it could be easily confused.
Click to expand...

The military press uses tons of upper back muscles to stabilize the rotator cuff and your body, so feeling soreness in that area is understandable. However, it will be especially noticeable - and possibly a limiting factor - if you are excessively arching your back or have other form issues. When you do an OH press, you should stay roughly vertical and actually end up with the bar "behind" you, so it lines up with your spine and the middle of your foot. If you are pushing it straight up from your shoulders, and consequently keeping it out in front of you, you are probably arching your back a lot, which can not only strain the lats, but also lead to injury. Check out the Stronglifts OH Press tutorial and search the Crossfit Exercises page for "Press Instruction" videos with Mark Rippetoe.

Typically when I fail at a rep of OH press, it's at a height between my nose and the top of my head - anything I can get to clear my head I can usually lock out.
 
Originally posted by: Howard
I'm damn sure it's not my pecs, and I don't think it's my rear delts. Seriously, my lats feel like they're struggling pretty hard as I pass the midpoint of the press (back starts to shake).

Since the shoulder blade rotates to press up, maybe the lat pulls down on the medial side?
Click to expand...

Rear delts? 😕

My guess is your trapezius.
 
Originally posted by: interchange
Originally posted by: Howard
I'm damn sure it's not my pecs, and I don't think it's my rear delts. Seriously, my lats feel like they're struggling pretty hard as I pass the midpoint of the press (back starts to shake).

Since the shoulder blade rotates to press up, maybe the lat pulls down on the medial side?
Click to expand...

Rear delts? 😕

My guess is your trapezius.
Click to expand...
Posterior...

It isn't.
 
When I first started doing the military press, I couldn't get the bar so that my arms could fully extend above my head. I don't know which muscle that is...
 
Originally posted by: brikis98
Typically when I fail at a rep of OH press, it's at a height between my nose and the top of my head - anything I can get to clear my head I can usually lock out.
Click to expand...

I usually fail at the same place. Once it's over my head I can get under it and engage my upper back muscles and lock it out from there.
 
Originally posted by: brikis98

Typically when I fail at a rep of OH press, it's at a height between my nose and the top of my head - anything I can get to clear my head I can usually lock out.
Click to expand...

Ditto.
 
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