Barbell z press

Muscles worked: Shoulders
Shoulders
🔧 Barbell ↕ Push 🏋️ kg × reps Difficulty:

Muscle outlines from Body Muscles by Ivan Vulović, Apache 2.0 — regrouped and recoloured for Muscle Train.

How to perform

Sit on the floor with your torso upright and your legs straight in front of you and your heels digging into the floor. Load a barbell or place dumbbells or kettlebells on a low rack and sit just underneath it. You could lift the weights off the floor, but be careful when doing so. Hold a dumbbell or kettlebell in each hand, or alternatively grip a barbell with both hands using an overhand grip. Starting with the weight at your shoulders, push the load upwards until your arms are fully extended. Your elbows should remain under your wrists during the press. Keep your heels and the back of your knees touching the floor. Engage your lats, core muscles and hip flexors and keep your spine neutral throughout. Do not lean back or slouch. Pause for a second before returning to the starting position under control. Continue for the desired number of reps and sets.

Muscles Worked

Front deltSide deltRear delt
Secondary: Latissimus dorsi, Rectus abdominis, Internal obliques, External obliques, Erector spinae

Tips

Swap the barbell for dumbbells or kettlebells to reduce shoulder strain and improve wrist/elbow positioning. Sit on a raised surface if hip mobility limits a neutral spine. Keep the knees bent to maintain lumbar neutrality and sit taller.

Similar exercises

Dumbbell z press Shoulders · 🔧 Dumbbells 4/10 Barbell push press Shoulders · 🔧 Barbell 5/10 Barbell pin press Chest, Shoulders · 🔧 Barbell, Squat Rack, Flat Bench 4/10 Barbell squat press Glutes, Shoulders, Upper arms, Abs · 🔧 Barbell, Squat Rack 5/10 Barbell shoulder press Shoulders · 🔧 Barbell 5/10 Barbell behind the neck press Shoulders · 🔧 Barbell 5/10 Dumbbell push press Shoulders · 🔧 Dumbbells 4/10 Barbell bench press Chest, Upper arms, Shoulders · 🔧 Barbell 4/10
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