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

Injury Prevention Strategies for Aging Athletes is an educational webinar for coaches, trainers, and active adults who want to train hard while managing the realities of aging, recovery, mobility, and joint stress. Learn practical strategies to support performance, reduce unnecessary setbacks, and keep athletes training consistently over time.

$20.00

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