Standing Overhead Press vs. Push Press - Thoughts?

**Lusst** · 03-20-2006, 11:06 AM

Yar! Having some trouble researching these two lifts. I normally do Push Presses on my Bench day, but am wondering if SOHPs are better for strength development.

My goal is just for general strength, and because it's fucking fun to lift weight over your head. My understanding of a Push Press is where you use leg drive to start the lift, then lock out the weight above your head (like in Strongman competitions with the 315lb log). I am guessing that SOHP is close to this, but using minimal/zero leg drive.

Thoughts?

note: tried google, and stickies.

Barut · 03-20-2006, 11:16 AM

That's pretty much the difference.
Push Press = leg drive
Strict standing OH press = leg drive

I usually do 2 sets of 5 of SOHP and then 3 or 4 more sets of 2-3 reps of push press. I love push press.

Here's a tip on leg drive for push press. Once you get the weight locked out overhead lower it to your upper chest with your knees locked. Once the weight is lowered, bend your knees and press the weight again. Personally, I don't like the idea of lowering the weight while rebending the knees. I feel like it puts a ton of stress on the knees.

**Lusst** · 03-20-2006, 11:18 AM

Yar! Yar!

Will try this out in about 10 minutes...time to change!

Barut · 03-20-2006, 11:20 AM

Good luck.

#1can · 03-20-2006, 11:50 AM

keith wrote something recently about hammering out your strict presses then finishing off the set with a few push presses once you're too exhausted to strict press

sombo05 · 03-20-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lusst

Yar! Having some trouble researching these two lifts. I normally do Push Presses on my Bench day, but am wondering if SOHPs are better for strength development.

My goal is just for general strength, and because it's fucking fun to lift weight over your head. My understanding of a Push Press is where you use leg drive to start the lift, then lock out the weight above your head (like in Strongman competitions with the 315lb log). I am guessing that SOHP is close to this, but using minimal/zero leg drive.

"Gar, you're right!" (obscure reference to Dodgeball)

No legs on the SOHP.

**Lusst** · 03-20-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #1can

keith wrote something recently about hammering out your strict presses then finishing off the set with a few push presses once you're too exhausted to strict press

Interesting...I'll have to dig up that article. Did a set of Strict presses today, and while I like em, I reverted back to my old ways and did Push Presses. I'm thinking it will be fun to either alternate these lifts, or do as K-dub suggests. Ah well, it's all fun.

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

JSN · 03-20-2006, 01:19 PM

IMO you're developing a completely different kind of fitness with each type. for push presses it would be more accurate to say hip drive if you are doing them with a slight dip which is where you are going to get the most power. they serve as a good exercize for hip explosiveness as well as shoulder strength, whereas a strict overhead press is pure shoulders and arms.

one way this huge guy at my old gym taught me to do overhead presses is to sit at the military station but bring your butt forward so your torso is slightly reclining. this will involve your pecs a little, but get you shoulders alot more. personally this is the exercize i will do most because it is a safer movement.

**Lusst** · 03-20-2006, 01:23 PM

Err, I think that is called an Incline Press =p

chia · 03-20-2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSN

one way this huge guy at my old gym taught me to do overhead presses is to sit at the military station but bring your butt forward so your torso is slightly reclining. this will involve your pecs a little, but get you shoulders alot more. personally this is the exercize i will do most because it is a safer movement.

Don't trust all huge guys at old gyms. Slouching on the seated press can be dangerous for your back. People only do it that way so they can use more weight because of the chest involvement. The best way to do military presses is standing.

When doing push presses, focus on explosive drive and speed, along with a full range of motion. The powerclean and push press is a great complex exercise for developing power without having to learn the intricacies of the clean & jerk. Push presses also allow you to use more weight, which can be useful when busting through plateaus on strict military presses. Push presses can also be incorporated on the last few reps of strict presses as cheat reps to help you finish the set.