Press Form Help

[Adam Doyle]

I’ve been having a hard time progressing on the press and I want to make sure my form is ok. I started off at 85 lb on press, then 5lb increases per workout to 95 lb, then 2.5 lb increases to 102.5lb today. But today I failed to get 3 sets of 5 reps.

Here is my warmup, showing my attempt at hip rebound, aiming for my chin/nose, and trying to get under the bar as quick as possible:

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And here is the first set of my work set at 102.5lb. I only managed to get 4 reps:

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The bar path seems to wobble some where I’m trying to get my head/body back under the bar, but the bar goes back instead. I have heard it’s important to learn to “grind” on your work set reps, at least 5 seconds. On that last rep it felt like 5 seconds, but was probably more like 3.

I’m 5’10”, 35, 190 lb, and eating around 3000 calories/230g of protein a day. What am I doing wrong here? This seems way too light to stall on LP. Do I need to switch to 5 sets of 3 reps for a while? Or is my form horrible?

[Dillon Spencer]

Respectable grind!

I wouldn't say your form is horrible. Your wrists are extended though, get them straightened out. Extended wrists wrists are a force leak. You were real close to getting that last rep, and that little bit of inefficiency could have been the difference. Focus on getting your elbows a touch further in front of the bar. Looks like they're more under it than in front of it. I think on that last rep the bar kept creeping forwards on you as you tried to get under it. I bet you get it next time. In the meantime, eat more

[Justin Smale]

How are your other lifts progessing? Anything odd happen that might help explain this (i.e. bad sleep the night before, different diet/eating schedule that day, training at a different time, etc.)? Personally I'd try this weight again and then come back to your concerns. Also, I don't think you really fit into the demographic that sets of 3 are usually recommended for (i.e. the elderly, women, etc.).