Press grip width

[Nauticus]

In SS, you advocate whatever form will engage the greatest range of musculature. A wide grip for benching is not desirable because triceps avoid their share of work, and a narrow squat stance is not desirable, anthropometry aside, because it neglects hamstrings.

But for pressing, I don't quite understand how grip width affects the musculature involved. In SS, a grip outside the shoulders is recommended. I seem to find it easier to press with a 21 inch grip that places my hands above my shoulders, not outside. My forearms are still vertical, they just flare forwards more. It'd have to be about 25 inches to be clear of my shoulders and look similar to the picture on SS:BBT pg 155.

So, will a pressing grip such as mine be unfavorable to developing certain muscles? Or is there an acceptable range of ambiguity in which my grip is acceptable in?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have never found anyone that could even approach a 25" grip correctly. We teach a 18-19.5" grip, and I think that only a huge man could efficiently use a 21" grip. The purpose of the narrow grip set correctly in the hand is to eliminate the moments between the shoulder joint, the elbow, the wrist, and the bar.

[milesdyson]

I seem to find it easier to press with a 21 inch grip that places my hands above my shoulders, not outside. My forearms are still vertical, they just flare forwards more.

Vertical means vertical from any point of view, so if they "flare forwards more" they likely aren't vertical.