Barbell Military Press
Learn the setup, execution, cues, mistakes, and safer progressions for this movement before adding load.
- Front + Side Delts
- Barbell
- Advanced
Set up
- Set up the barbell so you can move without reaching or shifting to find position.
- Stack the joints around the front + side delts target and brace before the first repetition.
- Start with a load and range that you can repeat without compensating.
Execute
- Move through a controlled range while keeping the front + side delts as the main target.
- Pause briefly at the strongest position instead of bouncing through it.
- Return to the start with the same control you used to begin.
Coach cues
- Stay stacked.
- Move with intent.
- Control the return.
- Stop one clean rep before form breaks.
Common mistakes
- Adding load before owning the range.
- Using momentum to finish a repetition.
- Letting posture change as fatigue rises.
- Rushing the eccentric phase.
Breathing
Keep the ribs stacked, inhale on the return, and exhale through the press or raise.
Tempo
Move smoothly with no swinging or bounce from the lower body.
Safety check
Use a pain-free range and avoid forcing overhead positions that change your posture.
Make it easier
Reduce load, shorten the range slightly, or choose a supported variation.
Make it harder
Add a pause, a slower eccentric, or a small amount of load only after every repetition is consistent.
