VERTICAL PRESS ARTICLES
- DR. JOEL SEEDMAN -
The research is clear on what it takes to build muscle mass, improve functional strength, prevent injuries, and preserve joint health - simply, emphasize a movement’s eccentric phase. Here's how to apply it to the landmine apparatus for optimal results.
Want to take your overhead pressing strength as well as your shoulder development to another level. Try incorporating the Z-press and variations thereof into your training technique. Here are some of my favorite variations I use with my pro athletes.
Many athletes struggle to master the overhead press as it can be more technically complex than most upper body exercises. However, the overhead box press is one of the best variations for mastering the vertical press. Here's how.
If you're looking for an upper body mass builder that not only builds freaky shoulders, triceps, upper back and lats but also improves functional strength and posture, you'll want to give this simple mass builder a go at your next workout
Here's a tricky but highly effective overhead barbell pressing variation that absolutely annihilates the shoulders and upper torso. As a nice bonus it also teaches proper vertical pressing mechanics while also taking stress off the shoulder joint.
The Arnold press is an incredibly effective shoulder exercise developed several decades ago by the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. Unfortunately many individuals perform them incorrectly. Here's how to fix this issue.
The Most Effective Training for Shoulder Pain
Dr. Seedman discusses his unique protocols to working with shoulder injuries. Instead of having his athletes and clients work around them he has them work through the injuries by strategically incorporating standard upper body resistance movements that involve the shoulder joint. (Read More →)
Earthquake Training: 6 Unstable Overhead Lifts for Quick Gains (T-Nation 8/19/16)
These exercise variations will tax you, frustrate you, and cause you great discomfort. But most of all, they'll make you a far better lifter. Why? They all involve the use of unstable or "oscillating" objects. (Read More →)
Tip: Do the Pizza Plate Press (T-Nation 8/17/16)
Test your shoulder mechanics and get stronger overhead with this diagnostic exercise. (Read More →)
Fix your Overhead Mechanics With The Javelin Press
Build your shoulders, traps, upper back, and triceps with this brutal yet highly effective exercise for building massive strength and hypertrophy. (Read More →)
Tip: Close Your Eyes On This Lift (T-Nation 8//16)
Recruit more motor units, improve form, and build more strength...by shutting your eyes? Yep, here's how it works. (Read More →)
Tip: Build Overhead Power With This Exercise (T-Nation - 8/10/16)
The dead-stop press teaches your body to turn on all available motor units and much more. Check it out. (Read More →)
6 Lifts to Fix Your Overhead Press (T-Nation - 7/27/16)
Dr. Seedman shows you how to improve your technique, wipe out deficiencies, and get more weight over your head than ever before. (Read More →)
Bottoms Up Training: Fix Your Shoulders & Pressing Technique (EliteFTS - 5/17/16)
Dr. Seedman discusses how to use bottoms-up exercises to improve shoulder health and lifting mechanics. Bottoms-up movements re-educate your nervous system and teach you to use correct biomechanics. (Read More →)
Improve Strength and Muscle Function with Bottoms-Up Exercises (T-Nation - 1/21/16)
Dr. Seedman shows you how to use bottoms-up training with kettlebells, plates, and dumbbells, and how these exercises immediately improve strength, stability, and mechanics. He also discusses how he uses these with his pro and collegiate athletes to prevent and overcome injuries. (Read More →)
Overhead Presses for Size, Strength & Performance (Bodybuilding.com - 7/6/15)
Dr. Seedman shares several of his proprietary movements--eyes-closed eccentric isometrics, bottoms-up plate presses, and kneeling-on-bench presses--that enhance shoulder strength and hypertrophy and improve biomechanics. (Read More →)
New Articles
Here are 21 New Year’s resolution goals that all advanced lifters, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and general populations should apply to their training in the new year. These will take your performance, physique, strength, size, and health to the next level.
Proper lifting technique and body mechanics are essential for long-term joint health, performance, and physique improvements. With that said, here are 20 tell-tale indications you can use to determine whether or not your form is due for an overhaul.
Everyone squats the same regardless of individual differences and joint anthropometrics. A proper squat involves 90 degree joint angles and is most easily obtained by using eccentric isometrics with perfect posture and body alignment. Here are 101 truths everyone should know.
The fitness industry has lied to us one too many times. This article highlights the truth about yoga, flexibility training, mobility drills, & “range of motion” topics, supported by deep scientific research, observational data, & experiential findings.
When it comes to maximizing your strength, size, and performance, a low to moderate level of exercise variety is critical for maintaining progress and avoiding training stagnation. Here’s everything you need to know about exercise variety.
Can you sprint without warming up?? This is something humans have been able to do for centuries up until the last few decades. Unfortunately the fitness industry has ruined people’s bodies and contributed to us losing this practical human skill. Full Experiment here!!
The sissy squat has recently gained quite a bit of popularity in mainstream fitness and bodybuilding. Unfortunately it’s not only an inferior quad and thigh builder that lacks proper muscle stimulation, it destroys the knees. Here are 12 superior alternatives to sissy squats.
When it comes to utilizing functional presses for athletes and bodybuilders, sometimes we need to look past the traditional barbell and dumbbell chest press. Here are 25 of the best functional presses for athletic performance that also build functional strength & size.
Although mastering the big 7 with eccentric isometrics is paramount when it comes to mastering movement and muscle function, periodically including rotational training can be very effective particularly for athletes. Here are my 25 go-to rotational exercises.
The abductor and adductor muscles are incredibly important for hip function and joint health. Unfortunately they’re commonly neglected. Here’s how to properly train them for maximal performance, muscle function, and joint health.
Research has shown that overcoming isometrics are one of the most effective techniques for increasing motor unit recruitment & post activation potentiation. Combining eccentric isometrics with overcoming isometrics produces even greater gains in strength, size, & performance.
Eyes-closed training is something I frequently incorporate with all of my clients and athletes. That’s because it improves movement mechanics and muscle function due to enhanced proprioceptive feedback from the muscles. Here’s how.
Loaded carries are some of the most simple yet effective strength training movements you can perform for building functional strength and size throughout the body. Here are my top 30 favorite variations along with 10 tips to help master any loaded carry or farmer’s walk.
Bodyweight training is the new rage. Unfortunately most folks end up going about their quarantine and home bodyweight workouts in a very ineffective way thereby sacrificing their gym gains. Here are 25 key tips you should implement immediately.
Pullups are one of the most effective staples in any training program. Unfortunately most lifters including advanced bodybuilders and “expert” strength coaches perform them incorrectly thereby negating the benefits. Here’s how to do them.
Bodyweight exercises are some of the most natural feeling movements we can perform. Here’s how to apply eccentric overload to your favorite bodyweight movements such as pushups, dips, pullups, & rows, to maximize strength, size, & performance.
Stretching and flexibility training has been a controversial topic for decades in the strength and conditioning industry. Here’s everything you need to know to safely optimize your flexibility, mobility, and ROM using eccentric isometric protocols.
Are you looking for a unique yet potent mass builder for your entire back (upper, middle, and low back musculature)? If the answer is yes then you’ll want to try this modified drop set on the seated row station.
When it comes to building massive pectorals it’s tough to beat the basics such as barbell presses, dumbbell presses, weighted pushups, dips and chest flyes. Unfortunately none of these variations fully maximize the functions of the pectoral muscle fibers.
Fitting upper body isolation exercises into your training routine can be tricky particularly when you’re looking to emphasize larger compound movements in your lifting program. Here are my favorite ways to crush your arms while saving time and improving functional performance.
Want to maximize your athletic performance, strength, muscularity, stability, and joint health? Time to start taking advantage of functional training methods that utilize the anterior and posterior oblique slings via contralateral hip activation and unilateral movement patterns.
Offset loading training is one of my favorite strength training techniques not only for eliminating imbalances, asymmetries, and muscle dysfunction, but also for building ridiculous levels of functional strength, hypertrophy, motor control, and core stability. Read more here.
The barbell Zercher squat is an incredibly effective lower body exercise. However it also has its share of downfalls. Here's how to use kettlebells and landmine stations to improve the effectiveness of this classic strength exercise.
The good morning exercise is one of the best posterior chain movements that crushes the glutes and hamstrings while also blasting the postural muscles of the upper body. Unfortunately it gets a bad rap. Here’s how to perform it correctly plus 20 unique variations.
The Trap bar is one of my favorite training tools and specialty bars. Here's how to use it for pullups and chinups. As an added bonus each variation will help spark new growth, strength, posture improvements, and enhanced muscle function.
Excessive low back/lumbar arch on bench press movements is a common mistake even amongst advanced lifters. Not only does it set the individual up for potential injuries but also minimizes the effectiveness of the chest press itself. Let’s fix it!
The Landmine is one of the most versatile training tools in existence. Unfortunately many lifters limit its application to basic rows, goblet squats, and presses. There are dozens of unique exercises that can be performed with it. Here are my favorites.
The overhead press is one of the most effective shoulder exercises you can perform for targeting your deltoids and upper torso. Unfortunately lifters often perform them incorrectly. By using the foam roller variation you can master your form and technique.