I have some asymmetry in my standing press due to a spinal asymmetry I have. I also have a 7mm leg length discrepancy that I have shimmed accordingly. If you look in the rear view of my press video the angle and height of my forearms are slightly different. I’ve known this for a while and continued pressing with the best form I can. I take an even grip on the bar. My press and bench have gone up steadily for months now with no stalling. Only just lately I get a bit of a strained feeling in my left shoulder after every press workout. Im pretty sure this is due to my asymmetry. It is manageable though and I’ve continued running my press up. My bench has no asymmetry. I’m microloading 2.5lbs per workout on the bench and press. Any form advice or general advice is greatly appreciated.
My stats
19 years old 5’8” 200lbs
Press and bench 2x per week adding 2.5lbs per workout.
Press intensity is at 2x3 @ 185
Press volume is at 4x5 @ 157.5
Bench intensity is at 2x3 @ 270
Bench volume is at 4x5 @ 250
1) Try and bear down on your abs tighter in the setup.
2) Get your wrists straighter with middle knuckle pointing up.
3) Don't hold the lockout so long. Just a solid second is needed, then back down. You are holding it longer which is causing you to sway/loose tightness/use your traps longer than needed.
4) Be careful not to push your head/neck forward too much during lockout. Keep them more neutral.
11-08-2020, 11:19 PM
Thomas Gach
Do you recommend breathing at the top or bottom of the press? I feel like I lose tightness if I breath at the bottom.
11-09-2020, 07:23 AM
Hayden-William Courtland
The standard recommendation is to breathe at the bottom because you will also be re-tightening and adjusting your setup (if need be) before the next rep.