Rear Delt or Behind Neck Press

The rear delt or behind neck press works the rear delts and trapezius. We demonstrate one version on the Smith Machine.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• deltoids
• trapezius
• SmithMachine
• Nancy
• Arnold
• Bud
• Gibson
• Press
• Barbell

[megso3]

Nah your an idiot. This DOSE NOT work the rear deltiod in anyway way shape or form, depsote what that artice says. Rear deltiod contraction will only be felt on exercises that pull the shoulder "back" such as pulling exercises i.e. rows, bent over rasies, lat pull downs! Not presses, mauron!

[budGibson]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

[budGibson]

Yes, I saw that, but the bodybuilding.com article is more detailed, so I went with it. Also, wikipedia supports the observation that the rear delt gets worked on this exercise.

Now, what gets worked may vary by individual which is why I think the only real answer is a muscle activation study across a number of people.

BTW, I do feel some anterior involvement, but this hits me more in the rear.

[darlk]

Well im not 100% sure, but i think at least 90% sure, because i tried it and i didnt feel any tense in my posterior deltoid, and most people on the internet, or that i've interviewed said that its anterior and lateral detloid...

[budGibson]

Looking at this link

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fu­n/issa6.htm

It's clear that all heads of the deltoid are involved in overhead presses. The question is where is the emphasis. By going behind the neck, you move some of the emphasis to the rear delt and a lot to the trapezius. I definitely feel the emphasis more in my rear delt. I would be convinced if you showed me studies of muscles firing that indicated an anterior delt emphasis in this exercise.

[darlk]

I would think thats anterior deltoid

[budGibson]

Where do you see anterior deltoid in this exercise? We're not pulling over in front.

[kalipono1]

WoW! No one caught the fact you NEVER EVER EVER drop the bar below the middle of the back of your head. Your arms should maintain a paralell plane to the floor. Breaking that paralell form and dropping the bar to your neck and shoulders will destroy your rotary cuffs and your ligaments. That is a no-no in lifting. If you are doing this, STOP. This is incorrect form. In order to develop your rear delts, bent over rows are a great way along with other pull exercises for trapezius also.

[tyciol]

Overhead pressing doesn't work the rear delt, regardless of whether you put it behind your neck or not.

If anything, this would isolate the front delts even more and stop the medial delt from contributing as much.

[THEinspectigator]

@megso3 Im with you for sure, there is no way this hits the posterior deltoids.....kinda reminds me of when i was arguing with a friend about how a rowing machine doesn't work the triceps (he said they did) lol.

[claytonkillsyou]

this exercise does work your rear delt......(the rear deltoid is a support muscle and is used secondarily in ANY shoulder exercise)...... but do not do this to develop your rear delt.... you will see NO results, thats a guarantee.

[andrewishanukaai]

most people dont know how to use the rear delts and traps in an overhead press. thats why most people think its a only a front delt move. ignorance is a bliss...

[some5672]

unaware

[hXcDiedWithHitler]

hey look its carrot top

[2112mike]

dont you think he should ask about the technique BEFORE attempting it?

[benniturd]

Been doing it solid for over a year now with no injury. Done correctly, I think it's fine.

[benniturd]

Correct. I come to hair line.