Barbell overhead press – how to do it right
Press the bar straight up in front of your head, no arched back.
This is how Stickfreed, our glowing stick figure, shows you the exercise on your TV – here the start, middle and end position. In the app he turns slowly so you can see everything.
How to do it
- Bar in front of your face at shoulder height, forearms vertical.
- Press straight up – never behind your neck.
- Ribs down and glutes tight – no arched back.
- Shoulder hurts overhead? Floor press instead.
How long?
40–45 seconds at a steady pace: slow on the way down, strong on the way up. 2–4 rounds. With dumbbells or without weight; BLOX remembers your weight.
If something niggles
Shoulder niggling? Then do Pike push-ups instead – BLOX swaps it automatically if you mention it at the start. Stop if it hurts; if you have complaints or pre-existing conditions, check with a doctor or physio first.
In BLOX
Part of these blocks: Barbell compact, Barbell full body, Barbell easy. BLOX builds your workout from them – based on your time, energy and how you feel today.