Two Hands Press curiosity. . .

[Músculo-Tonto]

Regarding Two Hands Press, I'm not sure about the "ethics" of the following to achieve a 1RM, but. . .

1) What about a massive push-press to get the bar locked-out overhead, then lockout your legs and lower the bar to your start position to utilize the "stretch-reflex" as you then push back to lockout overhead with strict form. (Then, of course, lower it back down afterwards).

2) Place the bar on very high pins (if you can find such), so that when you push straight up (four inches or so), your arms are locked in the top position. Then lower the bar to your start position to utilize the "stretch-reflex" as you then push back to lockout overhead. (Then, of course, lower it back down afterwards. . . to a 2nd set of lower-placed pins).

I've never tried it, and don't really intend to, but I've wondered about the legitimacy of such a "technique". After all, unless you're programming "touch n' go" technique, even a 1RM bench press starts from the top, not from the chest; and can use a stretch reflex at the bottom.

Cheating, or not?

-Jeremy

[MBasic]

Regarding Two Hands Press, I'm not sure about the "ethics" of the following to achieve a 1RM, but. . .

1) What about a massive push-press to get the bar locked-out overhead, then lockout your legs and lower the bar to your start position to utilize the "stretch-reflex" as you then push back to lockout overhead with strict form. (Then, of course, lower it back down afterwards).

2) Place the bar on very high pins (if you can find such), so that when you push straight up (four inches or so), your arms are locked in the top position. Then lower the bar to your start position to utilize the "stretch-reflex" as you then push back to lockout overhead. (Then, of course, lower it back down afterwards. . . to a 2nd set of lower-placed pins).

I've never tried it, and don't really intend to, but I've wondered about the legitimacy of such a "technique". After all, unless you're programming "touch n' go" technique, even a 1RM bench press starts from the top, not from the chest; and can use a stretch reflex at the bottom.

Cheating, or not?

-Jeremy

There some Chinese dudes YouTube channel that deals with this....taking bar out high to get stretch reflex for a hvy rep max....forget guys name, has perfectly round head. Mike yang?

[MBasic]

There some Chinese dudes YouTube channel that deals with this....taking bar out high to get stretch reflex for a hvy rep max....forget guys name, has perfectly round head. Mike yang?

Go to John phung website channel..."one wierd trick for overhead press"...and IMO cheating

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

I think the ethical way to Press would be to respect the form of the lift when it was an Olympic sport. Back then, you first cleaned the bar to your shoulders, then lifted it from there to overhead, with locked knees. No stretch reflex, no rolling start.

IPB

[MBasic]

I guess Phung's rationale was to use the stretch reflex to be able to play around with a heavier load over the same ROM for more stimulus.

I'm no powerlifter (thats for sure) . . . but, like paused bench, I've seen quite a few guys where they will do one or two reps paused . . .then finish with T-n-G reps for remiaining reps/sets (volume). This is kinda what happens w/ OHP I guess . . .at least the way I do it. . . .(I use stretch reflex every rep after first)

[Chebass88]

If you're talking the "ethics" of a lift, it only depends on the rules you using for assessing a "proper" lift. The most recent rules for a contested press (that I can find) are from the 2015 Starting Strength Fall Classic (source here). They are too long to list here, but suffice it to say that starting with a push press followed by a regular press is not allowed. My advice is that if you ever intend to compete, make sure that you abide by the rules for ALL LIFTS. Sloppy lifting in training means sloppy lifting in competition.

On the other hand, if you want to use other techniques for "overload", sure - use a push press & then stretch reflex for the regular press. Don't call it a press though - you could call it a PPP (push press --> press), or name the lift (the Tonto Press). You already take incredibly detailed notes on your training. Try it out for a while and see what it does for you.