Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press
The seated barbell press lowered behind the head, not to the collarbones; it takes open shoulders and a lighter bar than the front press.
How to do it
Setup
Seated tall on a flat bench, bar resting at the base of the neck, grip wider than the shoulders.
Steps
- Press the bar straight up from behind the head to lockout.
- Keep the chin slightly tucked as the bar travels past the head.
- Lower it behind the head only as far as the shoulders move freely.
Common mistakes
Dropping the bar to the neck: stop near ear level, where the shoulders stay easy. Head jutting forward to make room: sit tall, chin tucked. Loading it like the front press: go lighter; the shoulder works in a weaker position here.
Breathing
Exhale on the press, inhale lowering.
