Proper form: dumbbell military press

[flow]

Hi guys,

I currently have a question regarding proper exercise technique on the dumbbell shoulder press.

I used to bring the dumbbells down to the top of the shoulders and pressed them up a bit narrow to take advantage of my triceps strength.

It looked like this:
http://www.myhousecallmd.com/wp-cont...tary-Press.jpg

Recently a physiotherapist crossed my way and he corrected my for:

-Elbows UNDER the dumbbells/wrists . In my case the elbows were always behind them.
- Forearms perpendicular to the floor.
-Only lower to ear level.

Like this:
Seated Dumbbell Military Press | 2nd Wind Sports Training

-I tried to correct it this way but I have a hard time to do it . When trying to get the elbows under the dumbbells it feels like a strong stretch and its damn uncomfortable and difficult to keep this during the reps. I have the impression that i constantly have to push the elbows forward to hold the postion at the bottom of the lift.

- Also with this angle i cannot take advantage of my triceps strength to bring the dumbbells up. I am much weaker this way.

Here I want to ask the pressers which issues are important health wise. I pressed without issues 15 years this way.

Is the guy right?

Thank you!

[ricka182]

Are you trying to work your shoulders, or your triceps? I usually do DB presses similar to the 2nd method you describe. Lower to just under my ears, arms inline with the DB, maybe a bit forward if anything at all.

Remember, anytime you change your form, you'll need to adjust the weights you're lifitng. If you drop down to where it is more comfortable and work your way back up, you'll have no problems, but it takes more time. Could also be another way to "shock" the muscles, as they say, spur more growth and development.

[flow]

Well I used the form I can press the most weight with.

You know any drawback when the elbows are behind the dumbbell/wrist?

[Fazc]

Originally Posted by flow

Here I want to ask the pressers which issues are important health wise. I pressed without issues 15 years this way.

I think this here is the bottom line, Flow. You know you have pressed this way for 15 years without a cause for concern. Just because some guy now say's it's wrong, does that delete your 15 years of experience? I would say, no

Stick to it, mate.

[flow]

Thanks Fazc