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Barbell Bradford / Rocky Presses

IntermediateStrengthTier T3

Hold a barbell at shoulder level with an overhand grip. Press it just high enough to clear your head, lower it behind your neck, then press it back over your head to the front collarbone.

Targets: Shoulder

Stop if

Choose an easier exercise if pain reaches 6 out of 10 or becomes sharp. Stop and rest if pain reaches 8 out of 10.

This is the general ClapMove rule. This exercise has no extra stop rule of its own.

  • Pain 6 out of 10 or more: choose an easier exercise.
  • Pain 8 out of 10 or more: stop and rest.

Equipment needed

  • Works at the gym

barbell

Gym

  • barbell (No safe home substitute has been reviewed yet.)

Dosage

3

Sets

8

Reps / Time

60 sec

Rest

controlled

Tempo

Step-by-Step Guide

Set up

  • Hold the barbell at shoulder level with an overhand grip.
  • Stand balanced with the bar on the front collarbone.
  1. He stands tall holding the barbell on the front collarbone at shoulder level, overhand grip outside the shoulders, elbows under the bar.

    Step 1 of 5

    Hold the barbell at shoulder level with an overhand grip.

  2. The bar has been pressed just high enough to clear his head, arms still short of lockout, the bar hovering directly over the crown.

    Step 2 of 5

    Press the bar just high enough to clear your head.

  3. The bar has lowered behind his neck to the base of the skull, elbows bent under it, upper arms rotated back, trunk still tall.

    Step 3 of 5

    Lower the bar behind your neck.

  4. The bar has been pressed back over his head and lowered to the front collarbone, completing one full front-to-back-and-front repetition.

    Step 4 of 5

    Immediately press the bar back over your head to the front collarbone.

  5. He stands tall holding the barbell on the front collarbone at shoulder level, overhand grip outside the shoulders, elbows under the bar.

    Step 5 of 5

    Hold the barbell at shoulder level with an overhand grip.

Safety Information

Anyone with a shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, back or balance problem should ask a physical therapist or physician before attempting this exercise and stop at pain or dizziness. The behind-the-neck lowering is half of the cycle; anyone with a shoulder or neck problem should ask a physical therapist or physician before attempting it and stop at pain. Stop if the exercise causes pain or you become unwell. Seek appropriate professional advice about symptoms or suitability.