Floor press

A barbell chest press from the floor that limits range and eases the shoulders.

• Muscle group: Chest
• Equipment: Barbell
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Also known as: Barbell floor press, Floor bench press, Bænkpres fra gulvet, Brystpres liggende på gulvet

How to do it

1. Lie on the floor with knees bent, set the bar in a rack or have a spotter hand it to you, and grip slightly wider than the shoulders.
2. Lower the bar until your upper arms lightly touch the floor with elbows at roughly 45 degrees.
3. Pause briefly without relaxing, then press the bar straight up until your arms are straight.

Common mistakes

• Crashing the elbows into the floor and bouncing the bar off the bottom.
• Flaring the elbows straight out to the sides.

Alternatives

• Bench press
• Dumbbell bench press
• Close-grip bench press
• Machine chest press
• Push-up

Watch a video demonstration on YouTube

“Floor Press Exercise Tutorial | Old School Chest Workout” by Buff Dudes Workouts (opens YouTube)

General technique guidance, not individual advice. Stop if something hurts and talk to a professional about injuries.