Significance of overhead press grip width

[TheAugustKid]

Mehdi states that the hands should never touch the shoulders, sitting right outside of the shoulders to allow the elbows to come forward. Before I read the article I had my hands positioned directly in front of the shoulders, thinking this was better for pressing since it allowed my arms to be positioned in a straight line once I became tight.

As soon as I stuck my hands further out and put the elbows more forward I felt a lot weaker when pressing. To the point where I missed my reps pretty badly at 135lbs.

Also to note that once my hands are outside my shoulders, the line from my elbow to wrist is pointing outward because my elbows are kept in tight directly against my body. Is this right? Should I bring my elbows out a bit so my arms are in a straight line?

[TheAugustKid]

does anyone know anything helpful?

[TempestTenor]

I think I find a relatively narrow grip for the OHP to be more comfortable as well. I also feel weak when trying to widen my grip to match the description in the SL articles. I don't have any advice for you...just some empathy =)

[Portillo]

I was thinking about this too. It wasnt until last week that i noticed that my hands were touching my shoulders.

[sean]

When in doubt, narrow your grip. Most people grip too wide on the OHP.

[TheAugustKid]

yes but my grip was very narrow. Way more narrow than mehdi suggests as the proper grip width. What should I do? Stick with the width that Ifeel stronger at? Or widen it and deload and work up from there?

I mean is the way I'm doing it not going to correctly hit all the muscles that are worked in the OHP?

[Mehdi]

Need to rewrite that article. Grip width depends on length of forearms. Too narrow can make your arms end up like this /\ half way which hit triceps more, but less good for strength. I've seen my strength increase on the oh press by simply gripping the bar 2-3 fingers wider after noticing this. Getting my arms from /\ to ||

[TempestTenor]

Need to rewrite that article. Grip width depends on length of forearms. Too narrow can make your arms end up like this /\ half way which hit triceps more, but less good for strength. I've seen my strength increase on the oh press by simply gripping the bar 2-3 fingers wider after noticing this. Getting my arms from /\ to ||

I assume you're talking about forearm position at the bottom?

[Mehdi]

Need to rewrite that article. Grip width depends on length of forearms. Too narrow can make your arms end up like this /\ half way which hit triceps more, but less good for strength. I've seen my strength increase on the oh press by simply gripping the bar 2-3 fingers wider after noticing this. Getting my arms from /\ to ||

I assume you're talking about forearm position at the bottom?

No midway. Somewhat when bar reaches forehead level. Need to tape all of this stuff to make it clear. Bottom line is that there isn't a general rule. How long your forearms are and stuff influence how wide you should grip the bar.

[TempestTenor]

Ah okay. But forearms like this midway \/ would be bad as well. I think my forearms end up like that if I try to follow the article's instructions to the letter.

[TheAugustKid]

Okay so find out what my forearms look like when the bar reaches my head and make sure they're perpendicular to the floor. Thanks Mehdi.

[mjh]

Grip width depends on length of forearms. Too narrow can make your arms end up like this /\ half way which hit triceps more, but less good for strength. I've seen my strength increase on the oh press by simply gripping the bar 2-3 fingers wider after noticing this. Getting my arms from /\ to ||

I tried this advice with good effect at the gym today. Usually, I would set up with my pinkies on the inside of the rings in the knurling. Today, I had my index finger over the rings. It felt too wide when setting up, but in the lift it felt like a much smoother lift, and I felt my lats helping a lot more. You do have to make more of an effort to get the elblows forward, which I suppose is why it's better.

[Mehdi]

It also seems that elbows forward is not always the best way to press overhead depending on the length of your forearms.

Myeah confusing I know.

[Leot]

Do you have some links to articles talking about the best way for different people to press Mehdi? Or at least the cues we should personally look for to get the press looking correct?

[TheAugustKid]

My grip is extremely narrow, as in my hands are in between where the knurling ends and the two smooth sections in the middle of the bar begin. They're only like maybe a foot apart.