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Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press

The barbell seated Bradford Rocky press is a shoulder exercise performed while seated, focusing on pressing a barbell overhead to target the deltoids. It also engages the triceps and upper back as secondary muscles. The movement requires good shoulder mobility, core stability, and pressing strength.

Quick Facts

Body PartsShoulders
Target MusclesDelts
Secondary MusclesTriceps and Upper Back
EquipmentBarbell
DifficultyIntermediate
Exercise TypeStrength
BilateralYes

How to Do Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press

Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press with proper form and technique.

  1. Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
  2. Hold the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  3. Lift the barbell to shoulder height, keeping your elbows slightly bent and pointing forward.
  4. Press the barbell overhead, fully extending your arms.
  5. Lower the barbell back to shoulder height and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

Understanding which muscles Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky 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.

Delts

Secondary Muscles

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

TricepsUpper Back

Benefits of Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press

Incorporating Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.

  • Delts Development: Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press directly targets and strengthens the Delts, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
  • Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Triceps and Upper Back, 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 Seated Bradford Rocky Press build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Performing Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.

  • Warm Up Properly: Before performing Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Delts 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.
  • Shoulder Protection: Avoid flaring your elbows excessively, which can strain the shoulder joint. Keep your shoulders packed and stable.
  • 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 Delts 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 Seated Bradford Rocky 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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