Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck

How to do the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck

1. This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for easier pick up of the bar. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.
2. Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
3. Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Your back should be kept straight while performing this exercise. This will be your starting position.
4. Elevate the barbell overhead by fully extending your arms while breathing out.
5. Hold the contraction for a second and lower the barbell back down to the starting position by inhaling.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	shoulders
Secondary	triceps
Equipment	barbell
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	compound

No barbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Handstand Push-Ups Bodyweight Shoulder Press - With Bands Resistance Bands Arnold Dumbbell Press Dumbbell Dumbbell One-Arm Shoulder Press Dumbbell Dumbbell Shoulder Press Dumbbell Seated Dumbbell Press Dumbbell

Easier than the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Alternating Cable Shoulder Press beginner · Cable Machine Anti-Gravity Press beginner · Barbell Bradford/Rocky Presses beginner · Barbell

Harder than the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck

Push Press expert · Barbell Clean and Jerk expert · Barbell Circus Bell expert · Other Equipment

Superset the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck with

Opposing lats and middle back work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover lats Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row middle back Reverse Grip Bent-Over Rows middle back Bent Over Barbell Row middle back

Common questions

What muscles does the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck work?

The Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck primarily works the shoulders, with the triceps as secondary movers. Alternating Cable Shoulder Press, Alternating Kettlebell Press, and Anti-Gravity Press train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck?

A Barbell. Without a barbell, Handstand Push-Ups, Shoulder Press - With Bands, and Arnold Dumbbell Press train the same muscle, and 10 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with Alternating Cable Shoulder Press, Anti-Gravity Press, and Bradford/Rocky Presses and work up.

Where should the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck go in a workout?

Early — the Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck is compound, working 2 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh, then superset Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover and Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row later.

Similar exercises

Alternating Cable Shoulder Press Cable Machine Alternating Kettlebell Press Kettlebell Anti-Gravity Press Barbell Arnold Dumbbell Press Dumbbell Barbell Shoulder Press Barbell Bradford/Rocky Presses Barbell