How to Do Barbell Floor Press

Form Cues

1. 1

   Lie on floor, tuck elbows at 45 degrees, pause when triceps touch floor before pressing

2. 2

   Keep feet flat and knees bent for a stable base since there's no bench arch here

3. 3

   Press the bar up and slightly back, finishing directly over your shoulders

4. 4

   Keep your wrists straight, stacked over your elbows throughout

Common Mistakes

• ●

  Skipping the pause at the bottom — the pause eliminates elastic energy and makes the press harder and more effective

• ●

  Letting elbows slam into the floor instead of touching down under control

• ●

  Flaring elbows to 90 degrees from the torso — keep them closer to 45 degrees to protect the shoulder