Exercise library
Barbell Overhead Press
Shoulders · Vertical push
Generic vertical push demo. Follow the steps below for this exact exercise.
Vertical pushCompound
The standing barbell press, the main strength lift for the shoulders and upper back.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Tracking
- Measured in reps
Muscles worked
ShouldersTricepsCore
Equipment
Barbell
How to do it
- Set the bar on your front shoulders with your hands just outside shoulder width and elbows under the bar.
- Stand with your feet hip width, squeeze your glutes and brace your core.
- Press the bar straight up, moving your head back slightly so the bar passes your face.
- Lock out with the bar over the middle of your feet, then lower under control to your shoulders.
Coaching cues
- Squeeze your glutes so the press does not turn into a standing back arch.
- Push your head through under the bar at the top so your shoulders finish stacked.