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Exercise 0045 · REF GXoaSgn

Barbell Guillotine Bench Press exercise animation

Barbell Guillotine Bench Press

Category
Chest
Equipment
Barbell
Target
Pectorals

The guillotine bench press lowers the bar to the neck or upper chest rather than the mid-chest, which increases upper chest and front delt involvement but also increases shoulder strain considerably. It's a technique mostly seen in advanced bodybuilding circles and generally not recommended without a spotter and considerable pressing experience. Most lifters get similar upper chest benefit from an incline press with less risk.

How to Do the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press

  1. Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
  2. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  3. Lower the barbell slowly towards your neck, keeping your elbows pointed outwards.
  4. Pause for a moment when the barbell is just above your neck.
  5. Push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press primarily targets the Pectorals, with Shoulders as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Triceps.

More Chest Exercises

Archer Push Up Archer Push Up Body Weight · Pectorals Assisted Chest Dip (kneeling) Assisted Chest Dip (kneeling) Leverage Machine · Pectorals Assisted Seated Pectoralis Major Stretch With Stability Ball Assisted Seated Pectoralis Major Stretch With Stability Ball Assisted · Pectorals Assisted Wide-Grip Chest Dip (kneeling) Assisted Wide-Grip Chest Dip (kneeling) Leverage Machine · Pectorals Band Bench Press Band Bench Press Band · Pectorals Band One Arm Twisting Chest Press Band One Arm Twisting Chest Press Band · Pectorals

More Pectorals Exercises

Barbell Bench Press Barbell Bench Press Barbell · Pectorals Barbell Decline Bench Press Barbell Decline Bench Press Barbell · Pectorals Barbell Decline Pullover Barbell Decline Pullover Barbell · Pectorals Barbell Decline Wide-Grip Press Barbell Decline Wide-Grip Press Barbell · Pectorals Barbell Front Raise And Pullover Barbell Front Raise And Pullover Barbell · Pectorals Barbell Incline Bench Press Barbell Incline Bench Press Barbell · Pectorals

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have barbell? These target the same pectorals with different equipment.

Archer Push Up Archer Push Up Body Weight · Pectorals Assisted Chest Dip (kneeling) Assisted Chest Dip (kneeling) Leverage Machine · Pectorals Assisted Seated Pectoralis Major Stretch With Stability Ball Assisted Seated Pectoralis Major Stretch With Stability Ball Assisted · Pectorals Band Bench Press Band Bench Press Band · Pectorals

FAQ

What muscles does the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press work?
The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press primarily targets the pectorals, with the shoulders and triceps assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press?
The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press is done with a barbell.
What's a good alternative to the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press?
If you don't have access to a barbell, the Archer Push Up targets the same pectorals using body weight instead.