Shoulders · Barbell
Barbell Curl Press Extension
How to do the barbell curl press extension, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- VerticalPush
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Stand holding a barbell with an underhand grip at shoulder width. Curl the bar to your shoulders, rotate your grip and press it overhead, then bend your elbows to lower the bar behind your head for a triceps extension and reverse the sequence back to the start.
- 1Feel your biceps work the curl, your shoulders drive the press, and your
- 2triceps finish the overhead extension
- 3Keep your core braced and ribs down as the bar travels overhead
- 4Move through each phase with control so no segment uses momentum
Common mistakes
- Don't lean back or use your hips to swing the bar up
- Don't let your elbows flare wide during the extension
- Don't rush the transitions between curl, press, and extension
Muscles worked
The barbell curl press extension mainly works the biceps, triceps, and front delts, with the forearms, upper traps, upper abs, lower abs, and side delts assisting.
- BicepsPrimary
- TricepsPrimary
- Front DeltsPrimary
- ForearmsSupport
- Upper TrapsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- Upper ChestMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Mid TrapsMinor
- Lower TrapsMinor
- ObliquesMinor
Kovo programs the barbell curl press extension for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More shoulders exercises
- How to do the battle rope alternating waves
- How to do the arm circles
- How to do the arnold press
- How to do the resistance band front raise
- How to do the resistance band lateral raise
- How to do the resistance band overhead press
Last reviewed June 2026.