Standing Bradford Press
How to do the Standing Bradford Press with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.
Shoulders
Triceps
Barbell
How to do the Standing Bradford Press
- 1
Place a loaded bar at shoulder level in a rack. With a pronated grip at shoulder width, begin with the bar racked across the front of your shoulders. This is your starting position.
- 2
Initiate the lift by extending the elbows to press the bar overhead. Avoid locking out the elbow as you move the weight behind your head.
- 3
Lower the bar down to the back of the head until your elbow forms a right angle.
- 4
Lift the bar back over your head by extending the elbows
- 5
Lower the bar down to the starting position.
- 6
Alternate in this manner until you complete the recommended amount of repetitions.
Log it, see it on your body.
Every Standing Bradford Press set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your shoulders volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.
Where the Standing Bradford Press fits
The Standing Bradford Press shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:
More shoulders exercises
Standing Bradford Press: common questions
What muscles does the Standing Bradford Press work?
The Standing Bradford Press primarily works the Shoulders. It also recruits the Triceps as supporting muscles.
Is the Standing Bradford Press suitable for beginners?
Yes. The Standing Bradford Press is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.
What equipment do I need for the Standing Bradford Press?
To do the Standing Bradford Press you'll need a barbell.
Is the Standing Bradford Press a compound or isolation exercise?
The Standing Bradford Press is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.
How do I do the Standing Bradford Press with correct form?
Place a loaded bar at shoulder level in a rack. With a pronated grip at shoulder width, begin with the bar racked across the front of your shoulders. This is your starting position. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.
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