How to Do Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head
Start and end of one clean rep of Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Shoulders |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head
- To begin, stand straight with a barbell in your hands. You should grip the bar with palms facing down and a closer than shoulder width grip apart from each other.
- Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. Your elbows should be slightly bent. This is the starting position.
- Lift the barbell up until it is directly over your head while exhaling. Make sure to keep your elbows slightly bent when performing each repetition.
- Once you feel the contraction, begin to lower the barbell back down to the starting position as you inhale.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Shoulders (primary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
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.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
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 Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head work?
Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head is a focused movement that primarily works the shoulders.
What equipment do I need for Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head?
Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head 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 Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head?
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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