Finally hit a 300lb Standing Press...

[Matt Reynolds]

Mark,

We talked a couple years ago as I converted to strongman (from powerlifting)that I had significant shoulder flexibility issues which prevented me from having a decent press. I really believe the majority of this was due to "over bench pressing" during my powerlifting days.

After a few years of hard work, overhead pressing a minimum of once per week, and usually twice - my press has gone from 185lbs to 300 this past week (at a bodyweight of 265). I'm not really impressed with the 300, but its a solid step in the right direction.

Just wanted to tell you thanks for input (both in my personal training, as well as the coaching and business discussions we've had). I'll post a video of the 300 press and would love any form critique. My shoulders feel healthy and I'm hitting PRs left and right in all lifts at the age of 31, and would love to hit a 350 press in another year or so. After reading Starr's articles on the press, I believe I have a few new things in my arsenal to help me accomplish this.

Upon critique of the video, it does seem that there is just a tiny bit of knee bend, though it certainly doesnt feel like it to me. My best push press is 375lbs, so its obvious I know how to throw the bar when I need to. ;-)


http://www.youtube.com/v/oc_TZkkDmys...en_US&fs=1

[Mark Rippetoe]

And a fat bar press at that. You are a human machine, Matthew. And your kids are lucky to have a good coach. I hope they appreciate it.

[OITW]

Monstrous. I press 1/3 of that, so any other comment from me is of no relevance.

Two questions. Do you have any thoughts on the thumbless grip for the press, and were Matt's arms completely locked out (or is that a result of thumbless grip?)?

[Marotta]

Seriously impressive man, great work.

[dexbot]

Dude, that's awesome! If you are not impressed yourself... well I am!

[Robert Beckett]

Wow.

[BCS]

That is awesome man. I hope to make it to a 300 lb press by 30. 26 now and probably around a 160-170. Great inspiration!

[SheriffWoody]

Damn, 300 lbs. OH press with a fat bar, nice.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Two questions. Do you have any thoughts on the thumbless grip for the press, and were Matt's arms completely locked out (or is that a result of thumbless grip?)?

I don't like it, esp. for a fat bar press, since it is hard enough to squeeze a fat bar anyway, and the lockout softness might be an artifact of it.

[Matt Reynolds]

Excellent question regarding the thumbless grip...

I have used, and continue to use both grips. You would be correct in stating that the lockout is a bit more difficult with the thumbless grip. However, the start (if you have relatively large biceps/forearms) is easier - I feel more compressed, and thus more stored potential energy with the thumbless grip.

If you consider this, while watching the press, you'll notice the weight flies off my shoulders, then slows down as I try to finish the lift.

When I push press/push jerk a weight I always wrap my thumbs around, because now the initial drive of the bar is made with my legs (and the bar is also more securely across my front delt so that the energy is properly transferred from my legs through my body and into the bar.), and then I focus on "punching" the bar through the ceiling at the top of the lift in order to execute a strong lockout.