Overhead Plate Raise

The plate raise carried past the head to full overhead; the last third is the shoulder's weakest range.

Overhead Plate Raise, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Plate held like a wheel at the thighs.

Steps

  1. Raise the plate past eye level to FULL overhead.
  2. Keep the ribs down through the last third.
  3. Lower the whole arc under control.

Common mistakes

Back arching overhead: the last third is trunk work; brace. Stopping at the eyes: this variant OWNS the top. Heavy plate: the overhead finish halves your front-raise weight.

Breathing

Exhale raising, inhale lowering.