How to Do Barbell Seated Overhead Press

Barbell Seated Overhead Press is a shoulders exercise using barbell, listed as intermediate in the A90 Training Club catalogue.

Primary muscle

Shoulders

Equipment

Barbell

Difficulty

Intermediate

01 / Move with control

How to perform

How to do Barbell Seated Overhead Press

  1. 01Sit on a bench with back support and grip the barbell slightly wider than shoulder-width.
  2. 02Unrack the bar and hold it at collarbone height with the wrists stacked directly over the elbows.
  3. 03Press the barbell vertically toward the ceiling until the elbows reach full extension.
  4. 04Exhale as the bar clears the head and push the crown of the head slightly forward under the bar.
  5. 05Lower the barbell back to the upper chest under control, maintaining a tight core throughout.

Same guidance shown inside the A90 app

02 / Anatomy

Muscles worked by Barbell Seated Overhead Press

Primary Stabiliser Inactive

Tap to explore manually

Primary movers

  • Front delts Raises the arm forward and overhead.
  • Rear delts Pulls the arm back and stabilises the shoulder.

Stabilisers

  • Core Stabilises the spine and transfers force.
  • Lower back Stabilises the spine during lifts and bends.
  • Forearms Grips and stabilises the wrist under load.

03 / A90 Coach

A90 Coach tip

Pull the chin back as the bar passes the face to maintain a vertical bar path and stack the weight directly over the spine at the lockout.

Same coaching engine used inside the A90 app

05 / FAQ

Barbell Seated Overhead Press questions

What muscles does Barbell Seated Overhead Press work?

Barbell Seated Overhead Press is catalogued as a shoulders exercise in A90 Training Club, with the shoulders as its primary muscle group.

How do you do Barbell Seated Overhead Press correctly?

Sit on a bench with back support and grip the barbell slightly wider than shoulder-width. Unrack the bar and hold it at collarbone height with the wrists stacked directly over the elbows. Press the barbell vertically toward the ceiling until the elbows reach full extension. Exhale as the bar clears the head and push the crown of the head slightly forward under the bar. Lower the barbell back to the upper chest under control, maintaining a tight core throughout.

What is the A90 coach tip for Barbell Seated Overhead Press?

Pull the chin back as the bar passes the face to maintain a vertical bar path and stack the weight directly over the spine at the lockout.

Is Barbell Seated Overhead Press suitable for beginners?

Barbell Seated Overhead Press is rated intermediate in the A90 Training Club catalogue.

What equipment do you need for Barbell Seated Overhead Press?

Barbell Seated Overhead Press uses barbell.

A90 Intelligence

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