Overhead Press (Barbell)
- Primary muscle
- Shoulders
- Secondary muscles
- TricepsAbdominals
- Equipment
- Barbell
Overview
A standing barbell press from your shoulders to overhead. It builds the shoulders and triceps and demands a strong, braced core.
How to do it
Set the bar at upper-chest height and grip it just outside your shoulders.
Unrack the bar and hold it on your front shoulders, elbows slightly in front of the bar.
Stand with your feet hip width apart, glutes squeezed and core braced.
Press the bar straight up, moving your head back slightly to clear it.
Bring your head forward under the bar once it passes your forehead.
Lock out overhead with the bar over your mid-foot, then lower it to your shoulders.
Tips
- Squeeze your glutes to avoid leaning back.
- Keep your wrists stacked over your elbows.
Common mistakes
- Arching your lower back to push the bar up.
- Pressing the bar forward instead of straight up.
- Using your legs to drive the bar, which turns it into a push press.
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