Suicide grip on the overhead press

I’ve found the suicide grip less painful on the wrists than the traditional grip during overhead presses. Is it as dangerous to suicide grip on overheads as it is on the benchpress?

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You may change your form. That and use wrist wraps.. when you grab the bar, get the distance right, then turn your hands inward so that the bar rests on the lifeline of your palm. This stacks the weight on the forearm, and keeps the pressure off the wrist, (dont use a front squat position either, where wrists are backwards) I go all the way down to clavicle, but keep my wrists straight.

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Neither is particularly dangerous.

I use this grip on both exercises. Have done so for about 15 years now.

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I love suicide bench, it taught me how to keep wrist straight, and i actually use my thumb with that same feeling if that makes sense

Makes total sense to me. It’s a stupid name for the way to hold the bar, because it’s inspired so much fear in trainees when, really, when a heavy bar starts rolling, your thumb just plain isn’t going to be strong enough to stop it. Every single slipped bench I’ve ever seen was with a full grip.

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Yeah. The only reason i am not using suicide grip lately is i dont feel i can “bend the bar” as well (activating the lats). But sometimes i switch to it, especially for high reps and it is like a well used catchers mitt. It just feels right

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Nah you’ll be good. If your palms are sweaty just chalk it up otherwise you’re asking for it to drop on your face though.

The wrist thing is just an intent thing in my opinion. Most people aren’t aware it’s cocked back. Also a lot of forearms involved with keeping it straight. I used to do suicide grip but I switched over because I feel more explosive with thumbs wrapped around and it’s easier for me to keep everything stacked.

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I recently watched a bench press fail compilation, and nearly every bar slip was with a full grip like you say.

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Man…why?

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Use it as gym motivation

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That is hilarious guys. My helper told me he had dropped one on his face..guys, i dont know if it is because my grip is like an alligator’s mouth, but i cannot imagine one slipping out of my hands suicide…but with thumbs wrapped around; no goddamned chance…now i want to watch this fail video

To feel better about my impingement forcing me to do the floor press instead.

In all seriousness, it just popped up in one of my feeds.

Thanks for the tip. I try to keep the bar along my wrists, and it does feel much better, of course. But I need to work on keeping my hands straight.

I just can’t understand sitting down and watching a string of videos where people are getting hurt. It’s like a snuff film. Very “Roman gladiator” sorta stuff.

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Yeah. I tried and immediately didnt like it. I was hoping for insight how the thing slips, but it happens too fast

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I see them as instructional. Those kinds of videos show me the mistakes I should be avoiding, and why it’s so important to take them seriously.

Rather than focusing on “what mistakes should I avoid”, I’ve found a LOT more success in focusing on “what should I DO”. Instead of watching average people fail, consider watching elite and successful people succeed. Matt Wenning has a lot of great content on benching.

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What’s up with this shoulder impingment?

Like the other guys mentioned Suicide Grip isn’t necessarily bad. But if your shoulder has been restricted, and now you’re having to Change grips, it might be a sign.

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I do both. Granted, I only watch the fails when they pop up on my feed, and I seek out instruction on how to do things right.

I impinged my shoulder about 10 years ago. Benching is painful, but floor pressing is comfortable. I use something like the bulldog grip on the floor press, but recently tried the suicide grip on the overhead. It feels better on my wrists.

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