Barbell Push Press

A short dip and drive from the legs starts the bar, the shoulders finish it overhead.

Barbell Push Press, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Bar in the front rack, feet hip-width, torso tall.

Steps

  1. Dip short and fast at the knees.
  2. Drive the legs to launch the bar off the shoulders.
  3. Punch the lockout overhead; lower to the rack.

Common mistakes

Slow dip: the stretch reflex dies; sharp and shallow. Hips shooting back: vertical dip, tall chest. Press finishing without the head-through: stack the lockout.

Breathing

Inhale at the dip, exhale punching up.