Standing Military Press

Setup

• Take the bar at the front of the shoulders with a grip just outside shoulder width.
• Stand with the feet hip width, ribs down, glutes and abs braced.

Execution

1. 1.Press the bar straight up, moving the head back slightly so the bar clears the face.
2. 2.As the bar passes the forehead, bring the head back through underneath.
3. 3.Lock out with the bar over the mid-foot and the biceps near the ears.
4. 4.Lower under control back to the shoulders.

Breathing

Inhale and brace at the shoulders, exhale near lockout.

Form cues

• Squeeze the glutes to stop the lower back arching.
• Move the head out of the way, not the bar around it.
• Finish with the bar stacked over the mid-foot.

Common mistakes

• Leaning back into a standing incline press.
• Pressing the bar forward around the face.
• Letting the ribs flare and the lower back overextend.