| Pressing above the head is an effective way of | | | | grip should be used which is most comfortable for |
| stressing the lateral and anterior heads of the deltoids, | | | | performing the exercise, with a grip width slightly |
| or in other words, the front and side regions of the | | | | further than shoulder width likely proving fruitful. If the |
| shoulders. The behind the neck shoulder press is | | | | triceps appear to be over powering the exercise, and |
| performed with a barbell, with the barbell brought | | | | the aim is to stimulate the shoulders, try beginning the |
| behind the head at the bottom of the exercise. The | | | | shoulder workout with an exercise which isolates the |
| movement can be performed seated or standing, | | | | shoulders, such as the lateral raise. |
| depending on preference. Performing the exercise | | | | The over-head press causes minimal stress to the |
| whilst seated may be easier if a training partner is | | | | rear shoulder head, with the front and side heads |
| near, with the bar at a suitable height for spotting | | | | stimulated most greatly. An exercise which stimulates |
| (aiding and over-seeing the lift). | | | | the rear head, such as the bent over lateral raise, may |
| Those with injurious shoulders may be best opting for | | | | be wisely implemented into a shoulder workout for |
| another over head press variation, with the form of | | | | completeness. It is worth noting the rear head receives |
| this exercise requiring some flexibility of the shoulder | | | | significant stress from the majority of back exercises, |
| joint, and possibly hazardous for those with rotator | | | | however. |
| cuffs which are prone to injury. Some who do choose | | | | Those focusing on muscle strength will likely want to |
| to perform the exercise may wish to only bring the | | | | perform the exercise within a low repetition range, |
| barbell down to ear level, minimising stress on the | | | | anywhere below six repetitions per set. Due to the |
| shoulder joint. | | | | hazardous form of the exercise, another over-head |
| As previously mentioned, the front and side heads of | | | | press exercise may be best chosen for heavy loads. |
| the shoulders are recruited during the shoulder press, | | | | A moderate repetition range would be ideal for gains in |
| with the triceps also recruited to extend the arms. A | | | | muscle hypertrophy (growth). |