Shoulders · Barbell
Barbell Reverse Grip Overhead Press
How to do the barbell reverse grip overhead press, 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 at shoulder height with a shoulder-width underhand grip, elbows pointing forward. Brace your core and press the bar straight overhead until your arms lock out, then lower it back to your shoulders under control. The reverse grip shifts more emphasis onto the front delts and upper chest.
- 1The front delts and upper chest driving the bar overhead
- 2Core and glutes braced for a solid standing base
- 3A controlled descent back to the front of your shoulders
Common mistakes
- Leaning back and overarching the lower back
- Letting the wrists bend painfully under the bar
- Pressing the bar forward instead of straight up
Muscles worked
The barbell reverse grip overhead press mainly works the front delts and triceps, with the upper chest, side delts, forearms, upper traps, and upper abs assisting.
- Front DeltsPrimary
- TricepsPrimary
- Upper ChestSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- ForearmsSupport
- Upper TrapsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- BicepsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Lower TrapsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
Kovo programs the barbell reverse grip overhead press 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.