Overhead Press

Vertical pressing strength and honest shoulder health — it exposes overhead range you don't have.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Barbell · Dumbbell
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Deltoids · Triceps
ALSO WORKS
Traps · Abs
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Bar on the front of the shoulders, hands just outside shoulder-width, elbows slightly forward.
  2. 02Squeeze the glutes and brace the abs so the ribs don't flare.
  3. 03Press the bar straight up, moving your head back slightly out of the path.
  4. 04Finish with the bar over the mid-foot, biceps by the ears, elbows locked.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Press overhead without shrugging into your ears.
  2. 02Glutes tight — the press starts at the floor.
  3. 03Head through the window at the top.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Arching the lower back to fake overhead range.
  2. 02Pressing around the head instead of moving the head.
  3. 03Stopping short of a full lockout.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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