Best Shoulders Workouts With Barbells To Build Strength

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

1. Stand with the barbell at shoulder height and grab it with your hands shoulder-width apart.
2. Bend your knees slightly and lower yourself to place the bar on your upper chest.
3. Position your elbows under the bar so your forearms are straight up and palms face forward.
4. Lift the barbell straight up until your arms are fully extended, keeping it aligned with your ears.
5. Lower the barbell back to your chest to repeat the exercise.

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

1. Sit upright on a bench with your feet flat on the ground.
2. Hold the barbell with both hands outside shoulder width above your head.
3. Lower the barbell to your upper chest by bending your elbows.
4. Push the barbell back up to the starting position.

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

1. Set the barbell just below your shoulders and grip it with both hands.
2. Position the barbell on your shoulders and step back with feet shoulder-width apart, slightly turned out.
3. Bend your knees slightly ('dip') and then push upward with your legs and arms to lift the barbell overhead.
4. Ensure the barbell is aligned with your ears before lowering it back to the starting position.

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

1. Stand upright and hold the sides of a weight plate in front of your waist.
2. Keep your arms slightly bent and raised the plate to just above shoulder height.
3. Lower the plate back to the starting position, maintaining a neutral back throughout.

The Barbell Front Raise focuses on strengthening the front shoulder muscles. This exercise helps improve shoulder strength and endurance while promoting better shoulder health.

How to do it

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
2. Hold a barbell with both hands at shoulder width, palms facing you, and elbows slightly bent.
3. Raise the barbell in front of you until it is level with your shoulders.
4. Pause for a moment, then lower the barbell back to the starting position.
5. Keep your core engaged and maintain good posture throughout the movement.

The Landmine Press is an exercise that strengthens your shoulders. By using a landmine, you can press the weight up and forward, which helps improve strength for sports and everyday activities.

How to do it

1. Stand with the barbell perpendicular to your body.
2. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, holding the end of the barbell in front of your chest with both hands.
3. Grip the bar with your palms facing each other and elbows close to your sides.
4. Brace your core and press the bar upward and forward.
5. Lower the bar back to the starting position and repeat.

The Single Arm Landmine Press is an upper body exercise that targets your shoulders, triceps, and core using a landmine attachment. By pressing with one arm at a time, it helps improve strength, stability, and coordination, making it a great choice for beginners and athletes alike.

How to do it

1. Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Hold the end of the barbell in your right hand, just in front of your right shoulder.
3. Keep your right forearm vertical and your elbow tucked to your side.
4. Brace your core and push the barbell upward until your arm is fully extended.
5. Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position and switch to your left arm.

The Behind the Neck Push Press is an effective shoulder workout that uses a barbell positioned behind your neck. This exercise helps activate shoulder muscles but can put extra stress on your rotator cuffs.

How to do it

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
2. Hold the barbell behind your neck with an overhand grip.
3. Bend your knees slightly and lower your body into a quarter squat.
4. Push through your legs and arms to lift the barbell overhead.
5. Lower the barbell back to the starting position and repeat.

The Landmine Press and Catch is a shoulder exercise that helps improve strength by using one arm at a time. This movement adds instability, allowing you to address any strength imbalances between your left and right sides.

How to do it

1. Stand in front of the landmine with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
2. Hold the landmine with one hand over your shoulder.
3. Push the weight up explosively with your shoulder and chest, allowing it to arc to your opposite hand.
4. Let go of the landmine as it moves to your other hand.
5. Catch the landmine with your opposite hand in front of you, controlling its descent to your shoulder.
6. Keep your core tight and your chest up during the exercise.

The Muscle Clean is a lift that focuses on pulling a barbell straight to your shoulders without dropping underneath. This exercise helps develop upper body strength, especially in the shoulders and arms, and enhances overall lifting technique. It's great for beginners learning Olympic lifting skills.

How to do it

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart near a barbell.
2. Bend your hips and knees to reach for the bar with an overhand grip.
3. Keep your back straight and push through your heels to lift the bar.
4. When the bar reaches mid-thigh, use your hips to pull it to chest height.
5. Snap your elbows under the bar and catch it on your chest, palms facing up.
6. Lower the bar back to the ground.

The Front Rack Stretch helps improve shoulder and triceps mobility by gently stretching these muscles. You will hold a barbell at shoulder height and alternate raising your elbows to enhance flexibility in the front rack position.

How to do it

1. Stand straight holding a barbell at shoulder height, grip outside shoulder width.
2. Raise your left elbow while pushing the barbell into your left shoulder to stretch your left arm.
3. Return to the starting position and repeat with your right side.