Orthopedic Surgeon Issues Stern Warning About Popular Gym Exercise
A prominent shoulder surgeon has issued a stark warning to fitness enthusiasts, declaring that a widely practiced gym exercise is actively 'destroying' crucial parts of the human body. Dr. Patrick Denard, consistently ranked among America's top shoulder specialists, has urged individuals to immediately cease performing the military press exercise due to its potentially damaging effects.
The Problematic Exercise: Military Press
The military press, also known as the standing barbell overhead press, remains a cornerstone exercise for those seeking to develop shoulder mass and strength. Its popularity stems from its straightforward execution and its effectiveness in targeting the deltoids, triceps, and upper chest muscles while simultaneously engaging the core for essential stability during the movement.
However, Dr. Denard presents a compelling counterargument to this conventional wisdom. In a detailed Instagram post titled 'I repair shoulders for a living, and this is killing yours', the surgeon elaborated on his professional concerns. "I repair shoulders for a living," Denard stated unequivocally. "Here's my least favourite exercise that I see people doing at the gym that's destroying their shoulders: the overhead military press. This exercise places a ton of stress on your shoulders."
Despite exercise fundamentally aiming to strengthen muscular systems, Denard warns that the military press imposes excessive mechanical strain specifically on the shoulder joints. This concentrated stress can lead to accelerated wear, potential injuries, and long-term damage to the delicate rotator cuff structures that facilitate shoulder mobility and function.
Industry Perspective Versus Medical Expertise
The fitness industry maintains a different viewpoint regarding this contentious exercise. Puregym, a major fitness chain, describes the military press as an 'excellent option' for developing shoulder strength. Their analysis highlights how this compound movement requires significant coordination, mobility, and strength while engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
"Requiring good coordination, mobility, and strength, this is a challenging movement that requires you to adopt a strict rigid position and press a barbell above the head, using zero momentum from other body parts," Puregym's guidance explains. The organization recommends beginners start with dumbbell shoulder presses or shoulder press machines to build foundational strength before attempting the more demanding military press variation.
Nevertheless, Dr. Denard remains steadfast in his medical assessment, advocating for the complete avoidance of this particular exercise in favour of safer alternatives that provide similar muscular benefits without compromising joint integrity.
Recommended Alternatives: Abduction Exercises
Dr. Denard strongly recommends replacing military presses with abduction exercises, which involve moving the arm away from the body's centre line. These movements include standing or seated lateral raises—performed with or without weights or resistance bands—isometric wall pushes, and prone T/Y raises.
Such abduction exercises effectively strengthen both the deltoid muscles and the rotator cuff while simultaneously enhancing overall shoulder stability and functional capacity. "So, if you want to protect your rotator cuff but still strengthen your shoulders, I'm a much bigger fan of abduction exercises, especially eccentric with very light weight," Denard advised.
The surgeon elaborated on proper technique: "Taking a light weight, going in the plane of the scapula, and then just going very slowly down. You're still going to get the effect of muscle activation, but here I'm much more protected—my rotator cuff being in the plane of the scapula." This controlled, biomechanically sound approach minimizes stress on vulnerable shoulder structures while still promoting muscular development.
Medical Consensus on Shoulder Health
The National Health Service confirms that regular, appropriate exercise can significantly build shoulder strength and alleviate discomfort associated with various conditions. For optimal outcomes, patients are encouraged to exercise consistently, follow professional guidance closely, and maintain patience throughout their rehabilitation journey.
"Exercise has consistently been shown to improve symptoms associated with a painful shoulder," NHS guidance states. "However, it is important to remember that there is no magic recipe for what exercises you should perform. You may find that these exercises slightly increase your symptoms initially. However, you should find that the exercises themselves become easier to do and that you begin to move your shoulder more easily."
This medical perspective underscores the importance of selecting exercises that strengthen without causing harm, aligning with Dr. Denard's warnings about specific high-stress movements like the military press. The debate highlights the ongoing conversation between fitness traditions and evolving medical understanding regarding exercise safety and joint preservation.
