i was watching the movie “i am legend” and noticed how shitty will smith’s pull-ups were, as he was not even close to going all the way down through a full range of motion.
but he was also doing them behind his head, and i got to wondering if this was a bad idea. i’ve heard before that exercises done like this (pull-ups/shoulder presses) may damge the rotator cuff, but i’ve also seen some guys doing them in the gym.
comments?
you’re intrigued because will smith is pretty jacked for the movie.
but yea, i never heard good stuff about behind the necks. i think it really has to do with your range of motion/stability/experience/strength. i do them easily but would not tell a client to do it, even on a pull down bar.
the funny thing is during that scene in the movie i totally turned to my buddy and said…that form is shit.
As for the question, i think its all about what you are comfortable with, and how healthy your joints are,range of motion etc.
–JB
use a very wide grip (>> shoulder width), do not pull further than ear level (NOT all the way to the neck), and most important, do NOT use a ‘jerk’-like movement/body momentum like Will S. did on the last reps
there are a bazillion safe pull-up variations, starting from beginner difficulty all the way up to elite, there is no need to destroy your rotator cuffs just to look cool
Maybe I’m in the minority but when I’m watching a zombie movie I usually turn off my “bodybuilding” brain and not worry about the training I see.
BTN movements are a tricky thing for some people, I wouldn’t have anyone take the bar/apparatus below ear level and some people can’t tolerate them in any fashion. I rotate in some BTN movements for lat width and usually have a pressing motion but I’m very careful with how low I’ll take it to avoid any shoulder issues.
yea i noticed that shit too lol.
I like what scott said.
Before I had shoulder issues I decided to take out behind the neck movements. It seemed like I had more since then. I added them back in and find it helps alot with maintaining flexibility and strength across full rom. On the other hand I don’t think they should be done all the time, or with high volume, just enough to maintain flexibility. Then you mightnot have to take two weeks off to do band pull aparts and sorts.