Setup
- Eyes under the bar
- Squeeze shoulder blades back and down — keep them there
- Slight arch, butt on the bench, feet planted firmly
- Grip so forearms are vertical at the bottom
The descent
Un-rack with straight arms, then lower under control to your lower chest/sternum. Elbows sit roughly 45–70° from your body — not flared straight out.
The press
Drive your feet into the floor, press the bar back toward your face slightly as it rises, and lock out over your shoulders.
Safety
- Always use a spotter or safety pins for heavy sets
- Never use a thumbless grip
- Don't bounce the bar off your chest
