Shoulder press technique question

[c squared]

I've been curling my back backwards, is this okay or does it mean i'm using too much weight? I can feel my lower back when i'm doing the shoulder press.

[Hero Doug]

I'm not too sure if I know what your describing;

are you arching your back to assist with the lift? If you are then you are losing your form and using other muscles to assist with the lift which can take the focus away from your deltoids.

You shouldn't arch backwards while pressing. First, it isn't healthy for your lower back and spine. Second, it brings too much pectoral muscle into the movement. Back when the military press was an Olympic lift the athletes used so much arch that it almost looked like a standing bench press. Much better IMO that they only use the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk in today's competitions.