Best Upper Body Workouts With Barbells To Get Lean And Burn Fat

About

Barbells are fundamental equipment known for their role in enhancing both strength and muscle hypertrophy.

Workouts tailored for sculpting a lean physique and facilitating fat loss focus on combining resistance training with sustained high-energy output.

By engaging in lower-weight, higher-repetition exercises, participants can increase calorie expenditure while preserving muscle mass.

Specific emphasis is placed on upper body muscle groups, including the chest, back, shoulders, arms, and core.

Key functional exercises, such as bench presses and rows, are integrated into the routine alongside focused isolation movements to address individual muscles.

By employing these methods, individuals can tone their upper body effectively while progressing towards their fitness goals.

The 15 Best Upper Body Exercises with Barbells to Get Lean and Burn Fat

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Barbell Ab Rollout

    SETS LOGGED
    300,321
    Abs Strength
    49 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Ab Rollout is an advanced exercise that helps strengthen your core muscles. You start on your knees, roll the barbell forward while keeping your back straight, and then pull it back to your starting position. This exercise effectively works your abs, shoulders, and back, so it's important to maintain good form.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Ab Rollout is an advanced exercise that helps strengthen your core muscles. You start on your knees, roll the barbell forward while keeping your back straight, and then pull it back to your starting position. This exercise effectively works your abs, shoulders, and back, so it's important to maintain good form.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 2. 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
    75lbs
    2
    8reps
    75lbs
    3
    8reps
    75lbs
  • 3. 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
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 4. 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
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 5. 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
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 6. 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
  • 7. 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
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 8. Landmine Press

    SETS LOGGED
    206,388
    Shoulders Strength
    88 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine

    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

    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.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 9. Landmine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    593,522
    Back Strength
    90 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine

    The Landmine Row is a strength exercise that mainly works your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a landmine to create a unique movement, helping increase muscle mass and strength while varying your workout routine.

    How to do it

    The Landmine Row is a strength exercise that mainly works your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a landmine to create a unique movement, helping increase muscle mass and strength while varying your workout routine.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 10. Single Arm Landmine Press

    SETS LOGGED
    143,234
    Shoulders Strength
    65 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine

    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

    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.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 11. Single Arm Landmine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    247,726
    Back Strength
    80 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine

    The Single Arm Landmine Row is an exercise that targets your back muscles. By using one arm at a time, you can focus on building strength evenly and improving stability.

    How to do it

    The Single Arm Landmine Row is an exercise that targets your back muscles. By using one arm at a time, you can focus on building strength evenly and improving stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 12. Pause Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    274,997
    Chest Strength
    44 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Pause Bench Press is a modified bench press that focuses on the lower part of the lift. This exercise works the chest, triceps, and shoulders, helping you build strength and control by pausing briefly with the barbell at chest level before pressing it up.

    How to do it

    The Pause Bench Press is a modified bench press that focuses on the lower part of the lift. This exercise works the chest, triceps, and shoulders, helping you build strength and control by pausing briefly with the barbell at chest level before pressing it up.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    75lbs
    2
    8reps
    75lbs
    3
    8reps
    75lbs
  • 13. Barbell Front Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    234,968
    Shoulders Strength
    88 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    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

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

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 14. 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
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 15. Wide Grip Barbell Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    277,624
    Biceps Strength
    87 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Wide Grip Barbell Curl is an exercise that primarily works the biceps. By using a barbell with a wider grip, you can enhance the focus on the biceps and ensure better stability during the movement.

    How to do it

    The Wide Grip Barbell Curl is an exercise that primarily works the biceps. By using a barbell with a wider grip, you can enhance the focus on the biceps and ensure better stability during the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Upper Body Workouts with Barbells

Alternative Upper Body Workouts to Get Lean and Burn Fat

Alternative Workouts with Barbells to Get Lean and Burn Fat