Split Stance Adjustment for Press - Mortal or Venial Sin?

[jimmyt]

Hi folks,

I'm starting SS in earnest on Monday. My ceiling is about 2 inches too low for presses with 25lb plates on the bar, and way too low with 45s.

I have several prior shoulder injuries (from rugby many years ago) and know from past experience that I feel far more shoulder stability doing standing presses vs. seated presses.

There are two ways that I am aware of to continue to do standing presses with the current ceiling:

1. Use dumbells
2. Modify the barbell press to use a split stance like this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aGKqRp2ySk

My question is, which of these are the least evil? Or, are the both so bad that I should just kill myself and delete my forum account now?

Thanks in advance,
--JT

[Mr_Rogers]

Or, are the both so bad that I should just kill myself and delete my forum account now?

I laughed pretty hard at this.

Remodeling isn't an option? I take it you have a finished ceiling and it's not...I have to press and jerk in between rafters, but I also don't have a finished ceiling in the laundry room.

If it isn't I'd vote for the split stance and do a strict press. I say this because of the stability a barbell has over dumbbells, as that seems to be a concern of yours. Some forum members have dug holes in their basement and some lug their equipment outside to press.

[jkw]

Or, are the both so bad that I should just kill myself and delete my forum account now?

Just remember to delete the account BEFORE you kill yourself.

I vote for the split stance or pressing outside. I imagine it's not too hard to lug the bar and a couple plates out, and then just clean and press them. I have been pondering acquiring some home equipment and I will have the same issue.

[jimmyt]

Good point about the account deletion BEFORE hari-kiri.

It is actually in an unfinished portion of the basement but the plumbing and wiring in the area doesn't allow me to use the rafters. I just looked, and there is another area with less plumbing but after measuring it out, I get about 3 inches of play between rafter and plates and am just cringing at the surprise feeling of slamming the barbell into the rafter at extension. I also know that my fly-like attention span is way to short to consistently remember to position the barbell perfectly between the rafters for each set.
I can lug the barbell outside on nice days for the sets but I live in Maine and it gets freaking cold here in the winter (yes, I am a special snowflake).

Looks like I'm leaning towards the split stance with the exception of outdoor nice-day workouts, unless I hear otherwise.

Thanks for the quick replies.
--JT

[Mr_Rogers]

I wouldn't want to hit wiring or plumbing. I have hit a rafter on more than one occasion and it sucks every single time. I've since marked out where I need to stand on my platform so I don't do that anymore. The annoying part is I've built two platforms in my laundry room and I wouldn't hit the rafter if I was standing on the cement floor. Alas, there is no way to get to the cement now. I wasn't pressing more than 95lbs at the time so I never considered plate diameter.

Best of luck jimmy.

[Charlie Davies]

I have this problem, but my ceiling is so low my options were seated presses and outdoors.
Seated presses on a backless flat bench turn out to really suck, and are scary unstable as well -- easy to fall over backwards.

I've been hauling a bar out to the back yard every other workout, and of course cleaning it from the ground for each set.
It's fun so far, but winter's coming...

[FatButWeak]

Use tens. That split stance looks awful and will hinder strnegth development a lot more than using tens.

Paul Carter of lift bang run uses tens when he presses. And no goofy split stance.

[jimmyt]

I can't believe I didn't think of 10s...that might just clear...thanks to all for the suggestions!
--JT

[John Bono]

Option 3)
Get two lengths of chain, loop plates through chain, chains around barbell. Now you only need to have enough space overhead to press an empty barbell.

[jimmyt]

Option 3)
Get two lengths of chain, loop plates through chain, chains around barbell. Now you only need to have enough space overhead to press an empty barbell.

And if I make the chain long enough, I can do thousand pound presses!

But seriously, thanks for the suggestions...I've got options now.
Peace,
--JT