Seated DB press question

[jills]

i find it more comfortable to brace my back in a chair when i do these--when i sit at the edge of the bench and just brace myself using my abs i feel less stable, feel like i should go lower in weight so i don't crap out on form.

Am i losing anything by bracing myself? Meaning, am i not working the shoulder properly or using another muscle improperly to compensate?

Should i lower the weight and go without the structure?

[Erik]

i find it more comfortable to brace my back in a chair when i do these--when i sit at the edge of the bench and just brace myself using my abs i feel less stable, feel like i should go lower in weight so i don't crap out on form.

That's perfectly normal and to be expected.



Am i losing anything by bracing myself? Meaning, am i not working the shoulder properly or using another muscle improperly to compensate?

Should i lower the weight and go without the structure?

There is more draw on the core stablizers with an unsupported shoulder press, but if you're just wanting shoulder overload, you can brace, take out some of the stabilization required, and subject your shoulders to more weight.

[Suzanne]

I feel i isolate my delts better when i use the shoulder pres bench (with the back)

[jills]

That's perfectly normal and to be expected.



There is more draw on the core stablizers with an unsupported shoulder press, but if you're just wanting shoulder overload, you can brace, take out some of the stabilization required, and subject your shoulders to more weight.


I feel i isolate my delts better when i use the shoulder pres bench (with the back)

Cool, thank you! I would rather use more weight and keep it focused on my shoulders so i'll keep using the chair. :)