ExRx.net

So I've been on Stronglifts for a while now, and I've made progress (though not as fast as I would have liked) but my overhead press has stalled at a measily 115lbs. To give you some idea of what I'm pulling:
Routine A
Squat: 5x5 240
Rows: 5x5 125
Bench Press: 5x5 150

Routine B
Squat: 5x5 240
Overhead Press: 5x5 115
Deadlift: 1x5 275

I'm 6'5", 35 years old, and 260 lbs. My overhead press has not budged in months. When I do them, I can sometimes get them right, but often they feel incredibly unstable, it's like I can't get the form right or something. Help!

@SumYungGi:

Are you continuing to make progress on the bench press and row? Your overhead press poundage isn't that low when you compare it to your bench press and row.

_________________
Thanks, TimD

My bench press and row do seem to be increasing. My bench press stalled a bit, but it's gotten better lately. My rows had terrible form until I did some more research recently, so they're a bit behind, but catching up.

The overhead press was the exercise that first got stuck when I did 5x5 also. There was no magic for me. All I did was reset, build strength from lower weights and then try that feared weight again.

But if that is not working, there are few things to consider. You can always get some benefits from changing the exercise for example. Doing dumbell overhead presses could do wonders. Or changing the intensity to 3x5 or even 3x3.

How good infact is your form? Do lean back alot? Is our movement stiff or hard with light weights also? If you're having tough time with balance, there might be issues with your mobility or core stability.

_________________
Prove the impossible!

Would a dumbbell overhead press be a suitable substitute? Because I think simply changing the exercise would be the most effective answer.

I can't really say how good my form for the overhead press is. I do lean back quite a bit - I was under the impression I'm supposed to?

Dumbell overhead press could bring your training a little change. How long have you been doing the Stronglifts by the way? Sometimes changing the move a little helps you progress. The dumbell exercise must be done with care and consentration if you're having stability issues with barbell also. Start light and build up. You can test you barbell overhead press after few weeks, and see if it works for you.

Yeah, you lean back a bit, make a little arch to the lower back/keep the spine neutral. The point when the barbell is overhead, is it that it's supposed to be in line with the spine. Here is a good video to recap all points regarding the form, altough it's a bit humourish. T-nation also has lots of good articles around the movement.

_________________
Prove the impossible!

I've been doing Strong lifts for about 9 months now, although one of those months I was ridiculously sick, which set me back quite a bit.

9 months is a long time on the same set/rep scheme. I think that priority 1 is breaking away from the 5x5. 2 sets of 4. 2 sets of 5. 3 sets of 3. Something, for goodness' sake! Then build slowly. Slowly add reps before you try to add weight. Then add a little weight to one of your sets. Why do you have to do 5 sets all alike? Sure that's an easy way to program your workout when you're a beginner, but after 9 months you just can't expect to add weight and then do 25 sets with it very often. Even if you're going to do 5 sets, don't try to add the weight to every one of those 25 reps, for goodness sake. That's a big jump which most people can handle when they are starting out, but you just can't expect to keep making those big jumps for a long time. Why not do 4 sets with 115, and just do 1 set with 120? But if you're doing 3x3, adding 5 pounds to one set is an increase, but not an impossible increase. 5x5 isn't magic, and it sure isn't the right thing for everybody, and it absolutely isn't the right thing for everybody forever. Time to change.

_________________
Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.--Francis Chan