Behind-the-Neck Press 7s · no sound

Behind-the-Neck Press

An overhead barbell press with the bar racked behind the neck, demanding full shoulder and thoracic mobility.

Primary muscle
Front Delts
Equipment
Barbell
Difficulty
Advanced
Movement
Push
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How to do it

  1. Set a barbell in a rack just below shoulder height and load a conservative weight.
  2. Step under the bar and rest it across your upper traps with a grip wider than shoulder width.
  3. Stand tall, brace your abdominals and glutes, then take two steps back from the rack.
  4. Press the bar straight overhead, keeping the torso upright and the chin tucked.
  5. Lock out with the bar over the middle of your head and your ears close to your arms.
  6. Lower the bar under control back onto the upper traps and repeat only while form holds.

Common mistakes

  • Attempting the lift without full overhead mobility, which forces the head forward and strains the shoulder.
  • Dropping the bar quickly onto the traps, which risks contact with the neck and head.
  • Using leg drive, which turns a strict press into a push press and hides a load that is too heavy.
  • Leaning back to finish the rep, which shifts the load onto the lower back.

Muscles worked

Primary
Front Delts
Secondary
AbsTrapsTriceps

Good to know

What muscles does the Behind-the-Neck Press work?
Mainly the front delts. It also works the abs, traps and triceps.
What equipment do you need for the Behind-the-Neck Press?
It uses a barbell. Without it, the Pike Push-Up/Handstand Push-Up and the Anti-Gravity Press train the same muscles the same way.
Is the Behind-the-Neck Press good for beginners?
GymVim rates it advanced. For a beginner-rated exercise on the same muscle and movement, see the Band Overhead Press.

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