Guillotine Press
Also known as: Neck Press, Barbell Neck Press, Guillotine Bench Press, Barbell Guillotine Bench Press
Body region
Muscles
Main
Helps
Holds
Equipment
Technique
- Set safety bars or pins just above neck height, or use a Smith machine with stops; a spotter is strongly advised.
- Lie on a flat bench and take a grip wider than for a normal bench press.
- Unrack the bar over the upper chest with the elbows flared out to the sides.
- Lower the bar slowly toward the base of the neck, stopping a few inches above it.
- Press the bar back up over the upper chest until your arms are straight.
Cues
- Use loads well below your regular bench press.
- Stop short of the neck; the stretch on the chest is the point, not touching.
- Keep the descent slow and fully controlled every rep.
Common mistakes
- Training it heavy or to failure without safeties or a spotter.
- Letting the bar bounce or drop toward the throat.
- Using it with shoulder pain; the flared-elbow position stresses the joint.