Push press or strict press

[Pull14]

I'd personally but my money on both, but if I had to choose one, it would be the push press. The press seems to be one of those lifts that benefits more from a strong bench or strong push press, than it provides to those 2 lifts. My press didn't become all to respectable until I started push pressing. My bench also went up without training it for about a year by simply push pressing.

I can't say the same thing for when I exclusively trained the strict press.

[IronManlet]

I used to concentrate primarily on the push-press, but now I've been doing a lot of strict presses - mainly because I'm not very good at them yet.

I plan to work in both, though, as there are benefits to doing either movement.

[Mr.Silverback]

thank you all for your insight, I was debating with a colleague of mine about which of the two were more beneficial

Silverback Barbell

[PowerBuilder500]

This question depends on how you define shoulder strength. If shoulder strength is an accessory to help support a competitive bench press, then a strict press will give better carry over.

For general strength/athletic purposes, from MMA to football, the push press is in first place by a lot. It requires a level of speed and coordination that a strict press doesn't even address. Ridiculous upper body strength can be achieved with a push press, and it will be achieved in the context of other valuable athletic qualities.

[mr_bigmuscles]

Personally I like the grinding, old-school style of the strict press.

But, go look at Pull114's log, that guy has gotten plenty big and strong doing push presses. hell he doesn't even bench!

[Davis]

I find my press goes a lot better when I'm at least using some push presses after my normal strict pressing. And for what it's worth, I also find I have to hit the pressing weekly or I almost always lose some weight on my press.

[TitanWIP]

Originally Posted by PowerBuilder500

This question depends on how you define shoulder strength. If shoulder strength is an accessory to help support a competitive bench press, then a strict press will give better carry over.

For general strength/athletic purposes, from MMA to football, the push press is in first place by a lot. It requires a level of speed and coordination that a strict press doesn't even address. Ridiculous upper body strength can be achieved with a push press, and it will be achieved in the context of other valuable athletic qualities.

Interesting points. Still processing the first. My question is, do you think a 185 pound strict presser has an equal amount of shoulder strength when compared to a 225 pound push presser? I am wondering if the raw shoulder strength levels are similar but the stabilizer strength demands for the rest of the body are different.

[austin.j.taylor]

Originally Posted by TitanWIP

Interesting points. Still processing the first. My question is, do you think a 185 pound strict presser has an equal amount of shoulder strength when compared to a 225 pound push presser? I am wondering if the raw shoulder strength levels are similar but the stabilizer strength demands for the rest of the body are different.

I would say that if you are strict pressing 185 and only doing 225lb push presses, then you arent doing push presses correctly. I strict press around 200lbs and can push press around 300lbs. In your example the presser would have stronger shoulders and weaker triceps. Push pressing is great for building tricep strength, but doesnt build shoulder strength as much. My push pressing is rarely ever felt in the shoulders unless I am working above the 90% range, due to the amount of leg drive that I am able to utilize.