on shoulder presses and military presses (seated)

[0energy0]

i arch my back too much when i do both. and then when i finish my sets, my back hurts. what should i do to make my back straight when i do them next time?

[stevie667]

Try doing them standing up for awhile. This sends the weight right down your back and legs, instead of stopping at your pelvis, so often helps to get your back to grips with how to stay straight (and therefor not fall over).
When you go back to seated, wrap your legs around somthing and lock your abs.

[0energy0]

thanks, ill do that next time.

[odu_sonar_AE]

As Stevie stated, lock you legs around something when you go back to the seated position. Some seats also have a "seat belt" to help you keep position. Also, I prefer the seats with the long back board. That way I can always feel whether or not I'm touching it.

When you do these exercises seated, do it in front of a mirror if possible, or have someone spot your form. That way you can get the correct feel for the exercise.

[healer]

Also, if the seat you're sitting on has a foothold, use it. Push your feet against the foothold to keep your lower back in contact with the seatback at all times - especially on the upward movement.

[thingstodo]

I personally think anythig you do over your head should be done seated unless you REALLY know what you're doing to prevent back injury.

If you arch you are probably trying to use too much weight. I see it all the time with people benching. Using your back like that means you aren't using the muscles you are trying to work.

Just remember, it's not the amount of weight, it's how you are working yor body. Other people in the gym don't care how much your are lifting, only what they are lifting. So do it for yourself!