How To Make Your Strict Press Better

The strict press is a foundational compound movement that is a highly effective exercise for creating stronger shoulders, core, upper body in general and helps to improve shoulder mobility and functionality.

Here are some tips for performing a strict press.

NAIL THE STARTING POSITION:

-Place a barbell in a rack at about shoulder-height

-Place feet shoulder width apart, and brace your abs, setting a solid foundation

-Grip the bar with the hands about shoulder-width apart and push your elbows under the bar with your palms facing the ceiling

-Dip under the bar to bring it off the rack, letting it rest across the top of the shoulders so that the palms are facing the ceiling and the elbows are down and in front of the body

EXECUTE THE PRESS

-Step back, keeping the back straight and tall and press the barbell directly overhead, breathing out when pressing overhead, and breathing in when returning the bar across the top of the shoulders

-Slowly return the weight to the shoulders and repeat for the desired number of reps