This is a full-body lift that is “old school.” It involves a “clean movement” to the shoulders, and then a press of the weight overhead.
The benefits are it helps us maintain some low-back strength while getting upper body strength. Although it looks like it would hurt my back, it’s very similar to a back bridge position only standing upright.
The Push Press uses leg-drive to help the barbell get going. The Layback Press uses hip-drive to get the bar going. Similar, but different tasks.
It may make people nervous seeing so much leaning back, since people are used to the strict upright move called the Military Press. If you never bend your spine under weight, sure this may not be the best to start with.
If you are new to this, just practice laying back and holding the bar with a little weight. Build up slowly while doing traditional press training. Or if you are already practicing back-bending, then I think you should be okay.
This is part of my repertoire of exercises that maintains a lot of fitness qualities at once. The core’s ability to bend and brace in odd positions has become valuable to me. And my ability to balance a weight overhead keeps my shoulders in good shape.
Before 1972, there were 3 lifts contested in the Olympics (Clean & Press, Snatch, Clean & Jerk). Then they eliminated the press because it became too hard to judge. I think Weightlifters had much stronger upper bodies back then simply because they pressed heavy and often.
I think it would be great to have a flexible and strong core PLUS heavy pressing abilities.
View this post on Instagram