Does overhead press work serratus?

Overhead Shoulder Press is the pinnacle of shoulder movements in terms of functionality and optimisation of movements of the whole upper body. A well functioning Serratus Anterior is the backbone of good overhead press – on the concentric movement pushing up, and with eccentric control coming down.

Does overhead press cause shoulder pain?

Over time these muscles become overworked and get irritated which may lead to pain. Athletes most often complain of pain at the front or outside of their shoulder when lifting overhead and pain when sleeping on the affected shoulder. Most commonly, the pain generator is one of the rotator cuff muscles or tendons.

Is overhead press bad for rotator cuff?

If you perform overhead presses, keeping the bar in front of the body allows for a more natural movement and may limit the rotator cuff muscles’ compression. If there is a pain in the shoulder at the top of the press movement, discontinue the exercise, and consider alternate shoulder strengthening exercises.

Is overhead press necessary?

The overhead press is a valuable exercise and a longstanding staple of well-balanced programming. Important for shoulder health, overall strength, and big deltoids, you’d think pressing bars to the ceiling would be the go-to exercise, but realistically, overhead pressing isn’t for everyone.

Why do my shoulders hurt when I do overhead press?

The most common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis — inflammation of key tendons in the shoulder. The earliest symptom is a dull ache around the outside tip of the shoulder that gets worse when you push, pull, reach overhead, or lift your arm up to the side.

Why you shouldn’t do overhead press?

Shoulder impingement can certainly be worsened by overhead pressing movements, but in most cases is not caused by pressing overhead. Shoulder impingement is a common painful shoulder condition in which the subacromial space (area underneath the acromion) can become encroached that leads to pain.

Why the overhead press is bad?

The first fallacy is that pressing or reaching overhead is bad for your rotator cuff because it “causes impingement.” Impingement is the trapping of soft tissues between two bony landmarks. This causes the humeral head to jam into the acromion, which has failed to rotate out of the way, and crushes the rotator cuff.

How to avoid shoulder pain when overhead press?

To avoid shoulder pain, Overhead Press with a narrow grip so you don’t flare your elbows. Then shrug your shoulders at the top. Press the bar over your head, lock your elbows and shrug your shoulders towards the ceiling. This engages your traps and prevents shoulder impingement.

What’s the best way to do an overhead press?

The Overhead Press is one of the best exercises to build strong, muscular and healthy shoulders with bigger arms. To avoid shoulder pain, Overhead Press with a narrow grip so you don’t flare your elbows. Then shrug your shoulders at the top. Press the bar over your head, lock your elbows and shrug your shoulders towards the ceiling.

What makes the overhead press a full body exercise?

Your shoulders and arms are the prime movers to press the weight over your head. But everything between the floor and your shoulders must stay tight to balance you and the bar. This makes the Overhead Press a full body exercise that works several muscles at the same time with heavy weights.

Can You overhead press more weight with a barbell?

You can Overhead Press more weight using a barbell than dumbbells. More weight is more strength and muscle building. Your body has to recruit more muscles and contract them harder to lift the heavier bar and overcome gravity. Pressing 60kg/135lb overhead with a bar doesn’t mean you can press two dumbbells of 30kg/70lb.