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Barbell One Arm Floor Press

The barbell one arm floor press is a unilateral pressing exercise that targets the triceps while also engaging the chest and shoulders. It requires the lifter to stabilize the barbell with one arm while lying on the floor, which increases the demand on core stability and coordination.

Quick Facts

Body PartsUpper Arms
Target MusclesTriceps
Secondary MusclesChest and Shoulders
EquipmentBarbell
DifficultyIntermediate
Exercise TypeStrength
BilateralNo

How to Do Barbell One Arm Floor Press

Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Barbell One Arm Floor Press with proper form and technique.

  1. Lie flat on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
  2. Hold the barbell with one hand, palm facing up, and extend your arm straight up over your chest.
  3. Slowly lower the barbell towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body.
  4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the barbell back up to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

Muscles Worked

Understanding which muscles Barbell One Arm Floor Press targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.

Target Muscles

These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.

Triceps

Secondary Muscles

These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.

ChestShoulders

Benefits of Barbell One Arm Floor Press

Incorporating Barbell One Arm Floor Press into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.

  • Triceps Development: Barbell One Arm Floor Press directly targets and strengthens the Triceps, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
  • Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Chest and Shoulders, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
  • Progressive Overload Potential: Barbells allow for precise weight increments, making it easier to progressively overload the muscles over time for consistent strength gains.
  • Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Barbell One Arm Floor Press build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
  • Corrects Imbalances: As a unilateral exercise, it helps identify and correct strength imbalances between sides of the body.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Performing Barbell One Arm Floor Press safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.

  • Warm Up Properly: Before performing Barbell One Arm Floor Press, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Triceps and surrounding muscles.
  • Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
  • Use Safety Equipment: When lifting heavy, always use a power rack with safety pins set at the appropriate height, and consider using a spotter for maximal attempts.
  • Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
  • Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
  • Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
  • Allow Adequate Recovery: The Triceps typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.

Tracking Your Progress

To make consistent gains with Barbell One Arm Floor Press, track these metrics during your workouts:

Sets

Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.

Reps

Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.

Weight

Log the weight used for progressive overload. Aim to gradually increase weight while maintaining proper form.

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