Best Advanced Upper Body Workouts With Barbells

About

Barbells serve as essential equipment due to their versatility, making them fundamental for strength and hypertrophy development.

They are employed in a range of advanced exercises, including Olympic lifts, which demand at least 4 years of experience in weightlifting to perform safely and effectively.

Targeting the upper body's major muscle groups, such as the chest, back, and shoulders, this workout employs compound movements like the bench press and rows.

Tailored for experienced lifters, the intensity of repetitions and weight is designed to push individual capabilities while promoting progressive overload.

The 15 Best Advanced Upper Body Exercises with Barbells

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Barbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    7,520,931
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Barbell Bench Press is a key exercise for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It’s commonly used in fitness programs and is essential for evaluating upper body strength.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Bench Press is a key exercise for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It’s commonly used in fitness programs and is essential for evaluating upper body strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    95lbs
    2
    8reps
    95lbs
    3
    8reps
    95lbs
  • 2. Barbell Incline Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    3,397,831
    Chest Strength
    96 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench

    The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a variation of the standard bench press that targets your chest while focusing more on the shoulders and upper chest. It's great for building strength in these areas.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a variation of the standard bench press that targets your chest while focusing more on the shoulders and upper chest. It's great for building strength in these areas.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    95lbs
    2
    8reps
    95lbs
    3
    8reps
    95lbs
  • 3. Barbell Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    5,529,638
    Biceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Curl is a great exercise that targets your biceps by isolating the muscle. Using a barbell helps keep your movements stable so you can focus on building strength without losing balance.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Curl is a great exercise that targets your biceps by isolating the muscle. Using a barbell helps keep your movements stable so you can focus on building strength without losing balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 4. Close-Grip Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    3,536,639
    Triceps Strength
    92 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Close-Grip Bench Press targets the triceps more than the standard bench press by keeping your hands closer together. This exercise is ideal for adding triceps strength to your chest workout.

    How to do it

    The Close-Grip Bench Press targets the triceps more than the standard bench press by keeping your hands closer together. This exercise is ideal for adding triceps strength to your chest workout.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    80lbs
    2
    8reps
    80lbs
    3
    8reps
    80lbs
  • 5. Barbell Decline Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,082,644
    Chest Strength
    73 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Decline Bench
    Decline Bench

    The Barbell Decline Bench Press is a chest exercise that emphasizes the lower chest. It also strengthens your triceps and shoulders while lying on a decline bench.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Decline Bench Press is a chest exercise that emphasizes the lower chest. It also strengthens your triceps and shoulders while lying on a decline bench.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    85lbs
    2
    8reps
    85lbs
    3
    8reps
    85lbs
  • 6. Barbell Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    3,319,013
    Shoulders Strength
    96 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Shoulder Press is a strength exercise that mainly works your shoulder muscles. It helps improve your ability to lift weight overhead with stability and strength.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Shoulder Press is a strength exercise that mainly works your shoulder muscles. It helps improve your ability to lift weight overhead with stability and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 7. Bent Over Barbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    3,003,534
    Back Strength
    96 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Bent Over Barbell Row is an effective exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and arms. It uses a barbell for stability, helping you focus on building strength, making it a good introduction to more advanced lifting techniques.

    How to do it

    The Bent Over Barbell Row is an effective exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and arms. It uses a barbell for stability, helping you focus on building strength, making it a good introduction to more advanced lifting techniques.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    75lbs
    2
    8reps
    75lbs
    3
    8reps
    75lbs
  • 8. Floor Press

    SETS LOGGED
    448,603
    Chest Strength
    68 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Floor Press is an upper-body exercise that targets your chest, triceps, and shoulders. You lie on the floor and press a barbell up, which helps build strength while protecting your shoulders.

    How to do it

    The Floor Press is an upper-body exercise that targets your chest, triceps, and shoulders. You lie on the floor and press a barbell up, which helps build strength while protecting your shoulders.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    75lbs
    2
    8reps
    75lbs
    3
    8reps
    75lbs
  • 9. Seated Barbell Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    825,746
    Shoulders Strength
    95 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench

    The Seated Barbell Shoulder Press is an exercise that strengthens your shoulders while seated for better balance. This helps you focus on lifting the weight without using your legs for support.

    How to do it

    The Seated Barbell Shoulder Press is an exercise that strengthens your shoulders while seated for better balance. This helps you focus on lifting the weight without using your legs for support.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 10. Push Press

    SETS LOGGED
    981,212
    Shoulders Strength
    88 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Push Press is a dynamic exercise that strengthens your shoulders and upper body. It's similar to a Thruster but focuses less on the legs. This exercise helps build power and coordination for overhead movements like the Jerk.

    How to do it

    The Push Press is a dynamic exercise that strengthens your shoulders and upper body. It's similar to a Thruster but focuses less on the legs. This exercise helps build power and coordination for overhead movements like the Jerk.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 11. Reverse Barbell Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    2,203,913
    Biceps Strength
    89 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Reverse Barbell Curl is a bicep exercise that focuses on grip strength and functional strength. By using a barbell with a reverse grip, you can stabilize the movement better, allowing for more effective bicep training.

    How to do it

    The Reverse Barbell Curl is a bicep exercise that focuses on grip strength and functional strength. By using a barbell with a reverse grip, you can stabilize the movement better, allowing for more effective bicep training.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 12. Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning

    SETS LOGGED
    1,887,732
    Lower Back Strength
    95 mScore
    Lower Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning exercise targets the hamstrings and lower back. It uses a barbell for added resistance and helps maintain a straight back while hinging at the hips.

    How to do it

    The Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning exercise targets the hamstrings and lower back. It uses a barbell for added resistance and helps maintain a straight back while hinging at the hips.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 13. Australian Chin Up

    SETS LOGGED
    517,270
    Back Strength
    55 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Australian Chin Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your back, biceps, and shoulders. You perform it from a low, inclined position using a bar, making it easier than regular Chin Ups. It's a great way for beginners to build strength towards full Chin Ups.

    How to do it

    The Australian Chin Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your back, biceps, and shoulders. You perform it from a low, inclined position using a bar, making it easier than regular Chin Ups. It's a great way for beginners to build strength towards full Chin Ups.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 14. Front Plate Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    1,299,393
    Shoulders Strength
    83 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Front Plate Raise is a great exercise to strengthen the front of your shoulders. By using a weight plate, you can effectively work your anterior deltoids while keeping the movement smooth and controlled.

    How to do it

    The Front Plate Raise is a great exercise to strengthen the front of your shoulders. By using a weight plate, you can effectively work your anterior deltoids while keeping the movement smooth and controlled.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 15. Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    886,098
    Back Strength
    79 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row is a great exercise for beginners that works your back, biceps, and shoulders. By using a reverse grip, you can better target your biceps and engage different back muscles. Holding a barbell offers stability, allowing you to focus on lifting properly.

    How to do it

    The Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row is a great exercise for beginners that works your back, biceps, and shoulders. By using a reverse grip, you can better target your biceps and engage different back muscles. Holding a barbell offers stability, allowing you to focus on lifting properly.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Advanced Upper Body Workouts

Alternative Advanced Workouts with Barbells

Alternative Upper Body Workouts with Barbells