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Exercise library · Shoulders

How to Do Seated Barbell Military Press

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the seated barbell military press.

Seated Barbell Military Press animated demonstration from start to end position
Main musclesShoulders
Also worksTriceps
EquipmentBarbell
LevelIntermediate
TypeStrength

How to do it

  1. Sit on a Military Press Bench with a bar behind your head and either have a spotter give you the bar (better on the rotator cuff this way) or pick it up yourself carefully with a pronated grip (palms facing forward). Tip: Your grip should be wider than shoulder width and it should create a 90-degree angle between the forearm and the upper arm as the barbell goes down.
  2. Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip length, 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 collarbone 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.

Form tips

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Gear for this exercise

Barbell and plates setBarbell and plates setA proper home strength setup for squats and presses.See it on Amazon →Squat rack / power rackSquat rack / power rackThe centre of a serious home gym.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.

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