Larsen Press

Body region

• Chest
• Arms
• Core

Muscles

Main

• Pectoralis Major

Helps

• Deltoid
• Triceps

Holds

• Serratus Anterior
• Rectus Abdominis
• External Oblique
• Internal Oblique

Equipment

• Barbell
• Flat Bench
• Squat Rack

Technique

1. Lie on a flat bench with your eyes under the bar and set your shoulder blades back and down.
2. Straighten your legs and hold them just off the floor, or rest the heels lightly on it without pushing.
3. Unrack the bar and hold it over your shoulders.
4. Lower the bar to the lower chest under control and touch lightly.
5. Press it back up while keeping the hips and legs still.

Cues

• Brace your trunk hard; without leg drive balance comes from the core.
• Use less weight than in your normal bench press.
• Keep the bar path the same as your regular press.
• Set the safety arms and use a spotter, since the bar is harder to control without leg drive.

Common mistakes

• Pushing through the heels and lifting the hips.
• Wobbling side to side because the trunk is loose.
• Arching hard to make up for the missing leg drive.

Alternatives

• Barbell Bench Press
• Pin Press
• Dumbbell Bench Press