Shoulder Press Discomfort . . .

[RobertJohn]

I just tried doing some shoulder presses using two dumbbells sitting on an exercise ball. After my second set, I started to feel some neck pain and so I stopped.

What could the problem be with my execution?

[Doug Funnie II]

Shoulder presses on an exercise ball seem like a great way to hurt yourself if you don't go really light. Maybe try using 1/2 the weight or something?

[SmileyEH]

Just stand up. It's a much more functional stabilization anyway. Better yet, use a dumbell for single arm presses, and a barbell otherwise for greater loading.

[zer0]

probably your form. as mentioned, do them standing up (or on a 90* bench)

[Tiny TBone]

If the pain was actually in your neck, I think there's no doubt it's due to bad form. I'd do a google search that walks you thru proper form for that exercise before trying again

[Dagaco]

If shoulder press hurts do handstand press-ups. Its your whole body weight and is a better exercise as it works all your core. If you cant do full reps an isometric hold works to build up strength first. Plus it makes people stop and stare in the gym which is funny.

[Queensgrad]

I am very against sitting on balls. I have seen a very experienced lifter fall doing shoulder press. luckily he managed to drop the weights to the side, but not worth the risk when you can do other things for stability training. I do them standing, sometimes one arm at a time, works the core well to maintain form with only weight on one side.

I have also seen people squat on the ball, and fall. LMAO.

[Huh?]

is there any benefit to using dumbells over the barbell...or being seated vs. stnading in terms of shoulder pain?

i.e. is one more stressful on your shoulders than another?

[EDonk]

I don't think that one is going to be more or less stressful than another on the shoulders, but I think the dumbbells are going to recruit more stabilizer muscles (as is generally true with most DB v. barball exercises) which is always a bonus. However, when I go heavy I like using the barbell.

Standing is just going to help develop your stability too, and may be easier on your shoulders only to the degree that you have to go lighter than compared to having a back support.