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Switching rep ranges to improve overhead press?

5 min read

Asked by: Tammy Chase

How can I increase my overhead press strength?

My top 7 tips for improving your overhead press are:

  1. Build Stronger Scapular Stabilizers.
  2. Stretch the Lats and Triceps.
  3. Train Your Sticking Point.
  4. Build Stronger Triceps.
  5. Improve Your Posture.
  6. Control the Eccentric.
  7. Do Overhead Presses More Frequently.


What is the best rep range for overhead press?

With this in mind, choose set-and-rep schemes that allow for form and posture maintenance. Limit barbell overhead press sets to the 3-8-rep range on your heaviest sets. Go below 3 reps and you’ll risk breaks in form from optimal pressing posture. Creep above 8 reps and fatigue also burdens the body with poor form.

Should I switch up rep ranges?

You Never Change Your Rep Ranges



The muscles know what to expect, and they just adapt to the program. It’s important to work different rep ranges to force muscles to keep adapting.

How do I fix weak overhead press?

What To Do When Your Overhead Press Is Weak

  1. Train It 2–3 Times per Week. …
  2. Make It the First or Second Exercise of the Day. …
  3. Decrease the Rep Range to 3–6. …
  4. Work on Breathing and Bracing. …
  5. Record Your Lifts and Assess Regularly. …
  6. Include Overhead Movements in Your Training.


Why do I struggle with overhead press?

You Need to Strengthen Your Rotator Cuff



Weakness in your rotator cuff can also be a reason you’re struggling with the overhead press exercise, according to Chan. “Poor stability of the rotator cuff may increase the risk of shoulder impingement when you’re doing an overhead press,” Chan says.

How much can the average man overhead press?

According to data from ExRx as well as from Mark Rippetoe (of Starting Strength), the average untrained man can press 85 pounds overhead for a single repetition. Then, with a couple months of practice, he can overhead press 115 pounds.

Is 135 OHP good?

Women tend to carry less mass and overall power in their upper body when compared to men. It’s definitely possible for women to strict press 135 pounds but it would be considered an elite-level lift according to most strength standards.

How do I get a 135 overhead press?

Hopefully I'm aiming for at least fifty total reps between all the sets 135 max reps overhead press at almost 165 pounds bodyweight let's.

Do shoulders respond better to higher reps?

Delts generally respond better to high reps, though the front portion can respond well to lower reps. This is why delt-dominant bench pressers tend to have large front delts. But when training to get that rounded-shoulders look, higher reps of isolation work is best. This program will build yours.

Should you go heavy on shoulder press?

Start With An Overhead Press



Not only is choosing the right move crucial, but so is the weight: Go heavy with a resistance that causes muscle failure at about 6-8 reps. This is the lower end of the hypertrophy rep range, which goes as high as 12 reps.

Should you go heavy or light on shoulders?

Lighter weights are the real key to getting bigger deltoid muscles much faster, and ultimately to being able to lift more on your heavy compound lifts done with a barbell. So get ready for the hardest “light” set you’ve ever done!

Do shoulders need more or less reps?

Working in the 8- to 12-rep range is generally the best way to add muscle mass to most body parts (the one exception being legs, which respond better to slightly higher reps).

Do biceps respond better to high reps?

Howell is a fan of relatively light weight and high volume (reps in the 12 to 15 range) for biceps training, as the volume will tax both slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers over time. Incorporating a large variety of biceps exercises performed with high sets and high reps will also help you build bigger arm muscles.

Do biceps respond to heavy weight?

Use moderate loads, higher reps, and more cumulative metabolic stress. Some lifters get carried away trying to train the arms with pure strength. But the arms really don’t respond that well to heavy loading.

How many reps should I do for shoulder press?

For the shoulder press, begin by using a weight that you can control for 2–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions. Choose a weight that allows you to maintain good technique throughout all sets and repetitions.

How many times a week should you overhead press?

A good place to start is to do the overhead press 2–3 times per week. When your technique is solid, the best way to keep gaining strength is to bulk up the relevant muscles. To overhead press more weight, you’ll need bigger shoulders, bigger traps, and bigger triceps.

Will overhead press build big shoulders?

The overhead press should be a mainstay in your routine for building big shoulders. For muscle growth to occur though, you need to constantly lift more weight or perform extra repetitions.

Is OHP good for hypertrophy?

Build bigger shoulders – overhead presses are one of the best exercises for adding mass to your deltoids. They’re also an effective triceps and trap builder. If you want a bigger, more impressive upper body, you should include overhead presses in your hypertrophy workouts.

Should I lift heavy overhead press?

The overhead press is one of the best shoulder exercises out there but it also has benefits beyond that. Here are some reasons why you should lift something heavy over your head, today. Weight training not only strengthens muscles, it strengthens your bones by increasing your bone density.

Does Push Press increase overhead press?

The strength and power you can gain from the push press can allow you to lift more weight for more tension on the overhead press. On the flip, the control and mechanics you’ll gain from the overhead press will allow you to learn the push press without looking like a fish out of water. Both work.

Is overhead press better than bench?

1 – Overhead Pressing is More Important Than Horizontal Pressing. Lying flat on a bench with full back support can allow you to move big weight, but the amount of things it does for the actual health of your muscles and joints pales in comparison to anything done overhead.

Do dips Help overhead press?

If you can, then dips are one of the best upper body pushing exercises. Adding weight to them will cause massive increase in triceps strength, so if your overhead press is being held back by tricep strength than you may see an increase.