Barbell Push Press

Set-up

• Hold the bar across the front of your shoulders with your hands just outside shoulder width.
• Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your elbows slightly in front of the bar.

How to do it

1. Dip by bending your knees a few inches, keeping your torso upright.
2. Drive up hard through your legs and use that drive to press the bar overhead.
3. Finish with your arms locked and the bar stacked over your shoulders and hips.
4. Lower the bar under control to your shoulders.

Coaching cues

• The dip is short and straight down, not forward.
• Move your head back slightly to let the bar pass.

Common mistakes

• Dipping too deep, which turns it into a squat.
• Leaning back to finish the press.

Safety

• Use a weight you can control on the way back down to your shoulders.