Bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation in a weight lifter

A young man experienced bilateral anterior dislocation of the shoulders while doing seated behind-the-neck military presses. When improperly performed, military presses can cause injury because the shoulder muscles may be unable to support the weight being lifted. To improve form, avoid injury, and maximize gain from workouts, beginning weight lifters and those with shoulder instability should be counseled to use safer alternative techniques such as frontal military presses that do not allow movement posterior to the plane of the body.