Stand or sit for BB overhead press?

jdb-44 · Thu, February 9th, 2012, 09:49 AM

I have a weak spot in the right side of my lower back, which sometimes gets a bit sore when I do overhead BB presses. I usually do them sitting...but does anyone know if doing them standing up would help protect my back (maybe by allowing the core to be more engaged)?

Thanks!

JoeSchmo · Fri, February 10th, 2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdb-44

I have a weak spot in the right side of my lower back, which sometimes gets a bit sore when I do overhead BB presses. I usually do them sitting...but does anyone know if doing them standing up would help protect my back (maybe by allowing the core to be more engaged)?

Thanks!

Doing them standing is a great way to increase your core strength -- I used to do them sitting, but now I only do them standing.

MT77 · Fri, February 10th, 2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdb-44

I have a weak spot in the right side of my lower back, which sometimes gets a bit sore when I do overhead BB presses. I usually do them sitting...but does anyone know if doing them standing up would help protect my back (maybe by allowing the core to be more engaged)?

Thanks!

Is it a muscle cramp, or a spine issue? Does it bother you less when doing seated presses / more when you do standing presses?

In general I always prefer standing presses (strict and the push-press variety) because they engage the whole body. But you should work around your injury.

digitalnebula · Fri, February 10th, 2012, 10:01 PM

I also do them standing. It forces my core to tighten my body into good posture....

When sitting, things are more relaxed....which can lend itself to whoknowswhat....

jessie · Sat, February 11th, 2012, 05:25 PM

Try strengthing your lower back by doing deadlifts or rack pulls. Go light at first if you have to and get your form down so that you do not aggravate the right side of your lower back. I used to have a similar issue with the right side of my lower back and hip area. I used to even lift my right leg when I was about to sneeze becuase it would agravate my back, by doing deadlifts and rack pulls I was able to reabilitate my back. Now it only gets a little tight sometimes when I sleep funny or lay in bed to long, but it does not limit me at all when I work out.

tigers86 · Thu, March 1st, 2012, 06:04 PM

Doing them standing will definitely help build the core, but you may find that it causes the back to flare up more often than seated. Also, you probably won't be able to go as heavy when doing them standing.

jdb-44 · Sat, March 3rd, 2012, 08:40 AM

Thanks for all of the input, guys. No problems on the last couple of workouts, so I'lll keep doing them standing for now, while trying to keep the core tight.

TooMuch · Sat, March 3rd, 2012, 09:48 AM

I do them standing. More balance.