Overhead tricep press

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
My triceps are generally one of my stronger muscle groups. I love kickbacks because I can feel the muscle working, and no other muscle is engaged. But what is the deal on the overhead tricep press move? (I'm currently doing Slim 'n Lean). I can't feel my triceps working at all, and my arms become fatigued within a few reps. I don't think it's my triceps that are becoming fatigued. I can't figure out what's going on with that move. Anyone else have this problem or any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Nancy - it's definitely working the triceps. Try slowing the move down, and I'll bet you'll feel it. Also, maybe try changing how you hold the weight. I prefer holding the ends of a dumbbell (PUB style) so the dumbbel is horizontal, but others hold it so it is vertical and one end drops down your back. Play around with that a bit.

Also, it may be that your shoulders are weak. I know when mine are tired, they definitely wear out before the tri's do.

Good luck and have fun!
 
I have the same problem when I do Gym Styles Chest & Triceps. The move where Cathe hold the dumbbell at one end and drop it over the head is quite difficult for me to complete. When I split the routine and do triceps alone I do better. When I do PS tricep or other workouts, my triceps are OK.

I hope that I will get stronger in this move and be able to complete all the reps one day.............. Do you think it will happen?

Yen
 
You can try changing the angle. I stole something from Jari Love, I think it was out of RTTC 1000, where she does the overhead press in FRONT of her face. In other words, the upper arm was slightly forward & the forearm came down in front of the forehead. I definitely felt the burn & incorporated it into my tricep workout at the gym--in fact, replaced kickbacks with it. Usually I do about 25 lbs for kickbacks but had to drop to 15 lbs w/this exercise, it's so effective.
 
25 lbs. for kickbacks??? :eek: OMG, I want you to be my trainer! :)

~Cathy :)

> Usually I do about 25 lbs for
>kickbacks but had to drop to 15 lbs w/this exercise, it's so
>effective.
 
>My triceps are generally one of my stronger muscle groups. I
>love kickbacks because I can feel the muscle working, and no
>other muscle is engaged. But what is the deal on the overhead
>tricep press move? (I'm currently doing Slim 'n Lean). I
>can't feel my triceps working at all, and my arms become
>fatigued within a few reps. I don't think it's my triceps
>that are becoming fatigued. I can't figure out what's going
>on with that move. Anyone else have this problem or any
>suggestions? Thanks.

I have exactly the same problem with the overhead tricep press, I don't feel my muscle working but become fatigued after only a few reps. Whereas kickbacks work great for me.

I thought I was the only one and figured it was because I am out of shape, and only slowly getting back into weights. But I know you are in MUCH better shape than I am, so I feel a little better now :)

I have tried it with weights as low as 3 lbs and as much as 15 lbs, tried different angles.

I hope someone of the educated crowd can help!

Have a great evening.

Carola
 
Carola, I doubt I'm in much better shape than you are, but even when I was weight training a lot more, my arms always became fatigued after just a few reps, no matter how light the weight. I think there is some part of my shoulder that becomes fatigued in that position, because my triceps are fine with kickbacks, dips, or anything else that doesn't involve raising my arms over my head.

My favorite is that cross-body tricep move Cathe does because it's such a "clean" move. The triceps and only the triceps are working and you can just feel them getting stronger.

Thanks for posting! It's nice to know someone else is having the same exact experience. :D
 
Well, the one reason I really liked Jari's version of the overhead press as opposed to kickbacks is form. It's easy to cheat w/kickbacks b/c you can put momentum into them without even realizing it. When I do the overhead press I keep my other hand on the opposing upper arm to keep it stable & in one place. But like you, I wasn't feeling them when I did them behind my head. I discovered Jari's version by chance & was like "holy Hannah, this hurts!"

Naturally, loving pain as we all do, I had to modify my workout to incorporate them. ;-)
 
>My favorite is that cross-body tricep move Cathe does because
>it's such a "clean" move. The triceps and only the triceps
>are working and you can just feel them getting stronger.
>

For those having problems with the overhead version, the cross-body lying tricep extension, as well as just lying tricep extensions in general are good substitutes. I'm not as fond of kickbacks, just because they ARE isolation moves. They're good as 'finishing' moves, but I wouldn't rely on them as the basis of a tricep workout.

But LauraMax,, I've got to say, 25# for tricep kickbacks? Either # means something different than what it usually does;-) or you have some hellishly strong triceps!
 
Actually 27.5 if you count the magnet weight. ;-) I started off w/8 lbs almost 20 years ago & worked my way up. I wouldn't call them "hellishly strong," but they are definitely one of my strongest bodyparts.
 
The overhead tricep press is hard for me, too. I like the ones you do lying down, and for all you gym rats, I love cable press downs!
 
Any ideas how to do the cable press down in the comfort of my home? A band? a weight? What do you think? It looks like it really does the trick.
 
You could use a band, or exercise tubing--do you have a stable hook anywhere in your house? Where you hang coats or robes or something? Loop the band around the hook so the band is centered. These are actually pull downs, not press downs--press downs are done w/a bar, usually a v-shaped bar. But it's OK, it's still a great tricep exercise--similar in principle as the push downs.

Just make sure it's well anchored--would hate for you to get knocked in the head by a runaway hook!
 
I think I can "rig" something up. I will try to make it stable... it would be hard to explain that injury to people at work. How high do you think? (Using my body as a reference..like forehead or above?)
 
It should be high enough so the band has resistance when your hands are at starting level (about shoulder height). You want your tris contracted throughout the 3 sets 10 reps (or whatever your preferred routine).

ETA: there are actually a variety of modifications for this exercise. For example, you can turn around, lean forward slightly, & do the tricep pulldown almost like the overhead extension. This is the main reason I stick w/the gym--the cable & other machines are very versatile. I've had trouble using the bands/tubing at home b/c they don't give enough resistance to replace the weights.

Good luck & be careful!
 
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