Chest Exercise · Barbell

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Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise

Category

Chest

Equipment

Barbell

Target

Serratus Anterior

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The barbell incline shoulder raise targets the serratus anterior, the muscle along the side of the ribs that helps the shoulder blade rotate and protract, which barely gets trained by pressing or pulling movements. It's a niche but useful accessory for shoulder health and scapular control. Keep the movement slow and light, since this is a smaller stabilizing muscle rather than a major mover.

How to Do the Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise

1. Adjust an incline bench to about a 45-degree angle.
2. Sit back against the pad with your feet planted flat on the floor.
3. Take an overhand grip on the barbell, hands slightly wider than shoulder width.
4. Raise the bar to shoulder level, allowing a slight bend in your elbows.
5. Continue pressing the bar overhead until your arms are fully extended.
6. Hold briefly at full extension, then bring the bar back down to shoulder height.
7. Continue for the set reps, taking care to lower with control and reset your posture between each rep.

Muscles Worked

The Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise primarily targets the Serratus Anterior, with Deltoids as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Trapezius.

More Chest Exercises

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

More Serratus Anterior Exercises

Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise Dumbbell · Serratus Anterior Incline Scapula Push Up Body Weight · Serratus Anterior Scapula Push-Up Body Weight · Serratus Anterior Smith Incline Shoulder Raises Smith Machine · Serratus Anterior

Equipment Alternatives

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

Incline Scapula Push Up Body Weight · Serratus Anterior Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise Dumbbell · Serratus Anterior Smith Incline Shoulder Raises Smith Machine · Serratus Anterior

FAQ

What muscles does the Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise work?

The Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise primarily targets the serratus anterior, with the deltoids and trapezius assisting.

What equipment do I need for the Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise?

The Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise is done with a barbell.

What's a good alternative to the Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise?

If you don't have access to a barbell, the Incline Scapula Push Up targets the same serratus anterior using body weight instead.