Here’s a simple way to reduce stress on your shoulders during pressing movements.
Next time you’re in the gym, take a look around. Most people perform presses with a pronated grip (palms forward) and flared elbows—an approach that can put a lot of strain on the shoulders and eventually lead to injury.
A healthier alternative is to use a neutral grip, where the palms face each other and the elbows stay slightly tucked in. This position is more shoulder-friendly and can be performed with a Swiss bar, log, or dumbbells.
In the video below, I demonstrate dumbbell presses on a bench set to a 70-degree incline:
Most gym-goers tend to stick to a flat, 45-degree, or 90-degree bench. But repeating the same grip and angle over time can lead to pattern overload and injury. By regularly changing the grip and bench angle, you’ll not only encourage muscle growth but also reduce the risk of overuse injuries.
I go into more detail on this topic in my webinar, Injury Prevention Strategies for Aging Athletes.
Injury Prevention Strategies for Aging Athletes
As athletes age, the risk of injury grows—and recovery takes longer. Injury Prevention Strategies for Aging Athletes reveals proven methods to help you stay strong, resilient, and active for years to come. In this 60-minute webinar, John Paul Catanzaro shares practical tips you can use immediately to reduce injury risk both on the field and in the gym.
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