Barbell shoulder press

Exercise details

• Target muscle: Anterior Deltoid
• Synergists: Lateral Deltoid; Clavicular (upper) Pectoralis Major; Triceps Brachii; Upper, Middle, and Lower Trapezius; Serratus Anterior
• Mechanics: Compound
• Force: Push

Starting position

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell with a pronated (overhand) grip at upper-chest height.

Execution

1. Exhale as you push the barbell straight upward.
2. At the top of the movement, shrug your shoulders to raise the barbell even higher.
3. Inhale as you reverse the motions and lower the barbell to the starting position in a controlled manner.
4. Repeat.

Comments and tips

• Do not lock your elbows out.
• Use a grip that is a little wider than shoulder width.
• To move your head out of the way of the bar, rock your body slightly forward as the bar ascends and slightly backward as the bar descends.
• Keep your head facing forward; don’t look up.
• Keep your elbows a little forward, not directly out to the sides.
• Keep your wrists directly above your elbows.
• For other exercises targeting the anterior deltoid, see the band shoulder press, the Smith machine shoulder press, the seated barbell shoulder press, and the dumbbell one-arm shoulder press.

Barbell shoulder press video

Sources

• ExRx.net, Barbell Shoulder Press