LiftSets / Exercises / Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck
Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck
Works the shoulders. Helped by the triceps.


Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.
Muscles worked
shoulderstriceps
How many reps
| Goal | Reps per set |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3-6 |
| Muscle size | 6-10 |
| Endurance | 12-20+ |
Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.
| Kit | Barbell |
|---|---|
| Level | Intermediate |
What to think about
- Brace, don't lean back.
- Lower to about ear level.
- Finish at the shoulders, bells to thighs, never out front.
How to do it
- This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for easier pick up of the bar. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.
- Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
- Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Your back should be kept straight while performing this exercise. This will be your starting position.
- Elevate the barbell overhead by fully extending your arms while breathing out.
- Hold the contraction for a second and lower the barbell back down to the starting position by inhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Other exercises for the shoulders
- Alternating Cable Shoulder Press
- Alternating Kettlebell Press
- Arnold Dumbbell Press
- Back Flyes - With Bands
- Band Pull Apart
- Barbell Shoulder Press
- Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise with Head on Bench
- Cable Seated Lateral Raise
Track it in LiftSets
Log Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.
Coming soon to the App Store