How to Do Car Drivers
Start and end of one clean rep of Car Drivers.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Shoulders |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Forearms |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Car Drivers
- While standing upright, hold a barbell plate in both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Your palms should be facing each other and your arms should be extended straight out in front of you. This will be your starting position.
- Initiate the movement by rotating the plate as far to one side as possible. Use the same type of movement you would use to turn a steering wheel to one side.
- Reverse the motion, turning it all the way to the opposite side.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Shoulders (primary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
- Forearms (secondary): controls your grip and keeps the wrist steady under load.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Keep the ribs down and the glutes tight so the lower back doesn't arch to 'help' the weight up.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Pressing with the lower back arched instead of a braced, stacked torso.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Car Drivers work?
Car Drivers mainly works the shoulders, with the forearms helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Car Drivers?
Car Drivers needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for Car Drivers?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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