Stretch Question

[jazzersaxman]

Hi there,

I'm a 43 year old newbie with physical "issues like many", back pain, etc. whatever...I'm determined to use this program to make myself whole again. I started doing presses and know that the bar should be above the back of my head when fully extended. I am having extreme difficulty getting the bar to that angle. When fully extended, the bar is directly over my head and and pulling forward. When I try to encourage the push back, I start to feel I'm messing up the form. In order to facilitate the proper form, can anyone recommend a good activity, stretch, other exercise I can use to build more flexibility into the joint? I know from watching Rip's video on presses that impingement isn't a problem, but proper form is. The shoulders are too tight for proper form and looking for some advice. Thanks! Looking forward to the hard work and power that will come.

[Adam Levine]

I've asked a lot about this recently. I'm trying shoulder dislocation stretches. Other ideas here At-home shoulder mobility exercises to improve squat grip?

Also might want to read this. I'm in the same boat.

Press with arms too far forward - is it dangerous or just inefficient?

[Scott.Acosta]

How long have you been doing the program? Have you filmed yourself from the side? I recommend posting a form check. A little deviation isn't a big deal at the start of training as tight shoulders will usually loosen up pretty fast. Do you have any old injuries to your shoulders? surgeries? It would be hard for me to make a solid recommendation for you without seeing you move or knowing the health of your shoulders.

[jazzersaxman]

How long have you been doing the program? Have you filmed yourself from the side? I recommend posting a form check. A little deviation isn't a big deal at the start of training as tight shoulders will usually loosen up pretty fast. Do you have any old injuries to your shoulders? surgeries? It would be hard for me to make a solid recommendation for you without seeing you move or knowing the health of your shoulders.

I was doing the program for a week, when I "tweaked" my back...I'm used to it after 13 years. I laid off the deadlifts and did the rest. Once the back quiets down, gonna try again. As for the shoulder, no surgeries, have had pinched neck things going on over the last year, but that's it. I think it has a lot to do with form at this point. If you think the training will loosen up the shoulder girdle, etc. then I should be good. I'll keep plugging along and see. Thanks for the info! As for filming myself, not yet. I have to setup a camera in the gym (if they let me)

I'll keep you posted.
Thanks!

[jazzersaxman]

I've asked a lot about this recently. I'm trying shoulder dislocation stretches. Other ideas here At-home shoulder mobility exercises to improve squat grip?

Also might want to read this. I'm in the same boat.

Press with arms too far forward - is it dangerous or just inefficient?

Thanks for the help...I will try to do extra stretches at the gym...I think it's just a matter of time, but as is with anything, I need to listen to my body and try to master the form.
Thanks again!

[Nick D'Agostino]

Try a few sets of dead hangs for 30 seconds from either a pull up bar or a lat pull down machine if your bodyweight is going to make this too uncomfortable. This will let gravity, acting on your body, pull you into more shoulder elevation. Try and let your lats relax as you do this (if your holding on for dear life this is not going to produce the desired effect). I would do this right before presses or while your going through your warmups.

[skid]

I was doing the program for a week, when I "tweaked" my back...I'm used to it after 13 years. I laid off the deadlifts and did the rest. Once the back quiets down, gonna try again.

I tweaked my back recently doing dumbbell rows. Doing deadlifts was the best rehab for my back.

[Eric Schexnayder]

I tweaked my back recently doing dumbbell rows. Doing deadlifts was the best rehab for my back.

Strangely enough, I find that The Press does a world of good for my back.

[jazzersaxman]

I'm hoping eventually, it will for me too.