# Overhead press with low ceilings **URL:** \ **Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [September 7, 2018, 9:40am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285 "2018-09-07T09:40:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jim\_mccrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90ced4/32.png) [@jim\_mccrum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/jim_mccrum)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 9:40am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/1 "2018-09-07T09:40:56Z")
I’m in a low ceiling situation. Up to this point, I have been going outdoors to do my standing overhead presses. This is getting old as the weight on the bar increases (also a little dangerous). What’s the better option here? Seated overhead presses or standing overhead presses with a cambered bar? I can overhead press an empty bar without hitting the ceiling, so a cambered bar (or a bar with cambered attachments) should bring the weight plates low enough to clear the ceiling. My knees really can’t handle a kneeling overhead press. ---
**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/2 "2018-09-07T13:29:29Z")
If you can’t handle a kneeling press, it sounds like seated is your main option. I’ve never tried pressing with a cambered bar, but I can imagine the swinging would get annoying. ---
**Author:** ![myoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@myoman](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/myoman)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/3 "2018-09-07T14:12:52Z")
What about a bunch of dime plates? Or would that still be too high? If it’s a drop ceiling can you take off the two panels where the plates would travel? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@ChrisZ](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/ChrisZ)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/4 "2018-09-07T20:41:41Z")
I have to press with a 7’ ceiling and am 6’1". It’s just high enough that I can stack 25’s to press. No harm in doing a bunch of 10lb plates. ---
**Author:** ![Elton](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/elton/32/1426_2.png) [@Elton](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Elton)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/5 "2018-09-08T02:19:06Z")
I think seated press is fine unless you want to spend additional money on 10lb plates. On the other hand, if you do buy a bunch of 10lb plates, it gives you an excuse to buy a loadable dumbbells. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jim\_mccrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90ced4/32.png) [@jim\_mccrum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/jim_mccrum)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/6 "2018-09-08T15:51:21Z")
I went for the kneeling press today. Layed some extra padding on the floor to save my knees. Much more challenging than a standing press. Had to deload by about 10 lbs. Definitely workable. Thanks for the advice. Camber bar probably would have been very awkward. Never considered the swinging element to it. ---
**Author:** ![Chicago\_V](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Chicago\_V](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Chicago_V)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/7 "2018-10-05T15:19:07Z")
I’ve had the same issue, and wanted to share what worked for me once I finally got tired of trying to find just the right spot to avoid the joists and pipes overhead. I bought an adjustable incline bench, and put it in my rack. I adjusted the back to about 75 degrees,so not quite perpendicular to the ground. I put the bar on the pins an inch or two below my collarbone. Unracking the bar is a little awkward, but totally manageable. Once I’m in the starting position, I drive my legs so that my lower back is pressed up against the pad and go straight up, just like a press 2.0. It’s nice not having to worry about ruining our plumbing when I lift. Also, the Hypertrophy programming calls for incline bench, so it was time to get an adjustable bench anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Chicago\_V](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Chicago\_V](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Chicago_V)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/overhead-press-with-low-ceilings/3285/8 "2018-10-05T16:02:31Z")
I’ve had the same issue, and wanted to share what worked for me once I finally got tired of trying to find just the right spot to avoid the joists and pipes overhead. I bought an adjustable incline bench, and put it in my rack. I adjusted the back to about 75 degrees,so not quite perpendicular to the ground. I sit upright, so only my lower back actually touches the padding. I put the bar on the pins an inch or two below my collarbone. Unracking the bar is a little awkward, but totally manageable. Once I’m in the starting position, I drive my legs so that my lower back is pressed up against the pad and otherwise do a press 2.0. My ending position is with my head slightly forward and the bar directly over my shoulders. Again, I’m sitting straight up, I’m not leaning back on the pad. It’s nice not having to worry about ruining our plumbing when I lift. Also, the Hypertrophy programming calls for incline bench, so it was time to get an adjustable bench anyway.