Exercise guide
French Press.
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Movement
- Isolation
- Level
- Beginner
Muscles at work
Make every rep count.
- 01
Load a barbell or EZ-bar with a manageable weight and place it on the floor in front of you.
- 02
Squat down by bending your knees (keep your back tall), grab the bar with an overhand grip and hands 8–12 inches apart.
- 03
Stand up with feet shoulder-width, knees softly bent, and your core braced.
- 04
Press the bar overhead, then rotate your grip so your palms face up. Bring the bar slightly back so your triceps are under tension—this is your start position.
- 05
Keeping your upper arms vertical and elbows pointing to the ceiling, slowly bend only at the elbows to lower the bar behind your head as far as is comfortable.
- 06
Brief pause, then smoothly extend your elbows to raise the bar back overhead.
- 07
Stop just short of locking out your elbows, keep your elbows from flaring, and repeat with control.
