Barbell Shoulder Press

A shoulders exercise targeting the shoulders, performed with barbell.

Barbell Shoulder Press demonstration
Barbell Shoulder Press — demonstration

Body part

Shoulders

Equipment

Barbell

Target muscles

Shoulders

Secondary muscles

Chest, Triceps

How to do Barbell Shoulder Press

  1. Sit on a bench with back support in a squat rack. Position a barbell at a height that is just above your head. Grab the barbell with a pronated grip (palms facing forward).

  2. Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip width, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms. Hold at about shoulder level and slightly in front of your head. This is your starting position.

  3. Lower the bar down to the shoulders slowly as you inhale.

  4. Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale.

  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Primary (target)

Shoulders

Secondary

ChestTriceps

Related exercises

All shoulders exercises →

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