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Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise

Learn how to do barbell incline shoulder raise with a clear setup, controlled movement, and a technique you can repeat.

ShouldersBarbell4 technique steps

See the movement
Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise: matching illustrations comparing the setup and movement positions
01Set your position02Make the movement

How to do barbell incline shoulder raise

  1. Lie back on an Incline Bench. Using a medium width grip (a grip that is slightly wider than shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms straight. This will be your starting position.
  2. While keeping the arms straight, lift the bar by protracting your shoulder blades, raising the shoulders from the bench as you breathe out.
  3. Bring back the bar to the starting position as you breathe in.
  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise exercise illustration

Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise: muscles worked

Primary focus: shoulders. Supporting muscles: Chest.

ChestShoulders
Better reps before more weight.

Start with a version you can control. Record the same setup and range each time. Add reps or a small load increase when you can repeat the movement without changing the technique.

Plan your next set

Frequently asked questions

How do you do barbell incline shoulder raise?

Lie back on an Incline Bench. Using a medium width grip (a grip that is slightly wider than shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms straight. This will be your starting position. While keeping the arms straight, lift the bar by protracting your shoulder blades, raising the shoulders from the bench as you breathe out. Bring back the bar to the starting position as you breathe in.

What muscles does barbell incline shoulder raise work?

Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise primarily trains the shoulders, with the chest contributing. The exact demand depends on your setup, range, and chosen load.

What is the best technique for barbell incline shoulder raise?

Choose a manageable load and set your shoulder position before moving. Move through a comfortable arc with a steady torso and controlled elbows. Keep the same range each rep; avoid swinging or shrugging to move extra weight.

What can I do instead of barbell incline shoulder raise?

Related options include Barbell Shoulder Press, Barbell Rear Delt Row, Landmine Press. These can have different equipment, range, and movement demands. Open the guides below to compare the setups before choosing a replacement.

Compare related movement setups

Browse the directory pages containing barbell incline shoulder raise and the related movements above to compare equipment and technique choices.

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