Landmine Press
The landmine press is a unilateral or bilateral pressing movement using a barbell anchored in a landmine attachment, pressed at an upward angle. It suits lifters seeking a shoulder-friendly pressing variation that emphasizes the chest and deltoids with a natural arc of motion.
- Muscle group
- Chest
- Primary muscles
- chest, deltoids
- Equipment
- Barbell
How to do the Landmine Press
- Load one end of a barbell into a landmine attachment and add weight plates to the opposite end.
- Stand facing the loaded end and grip the barbell with one or both hands at chest height, feet shoulder-width apart.
- Brace your core and position the barbell just in front of your chest with elbows bent.
- Press the barbell upward and slightly forward in an arc until your arm or arms are fully extended.
- Lower the barbell back to the starting position at chest height under control.
- Complete all reps on one side before switching if performing the single-arm variation.
Form tips
- Keep your wrist straight and stacked over your elbow throughout the press to maintain efficient force transfer.
- Allow your torso to lean slightly forward as you press to follow the natural arc of the landmine path.
- Drive through your legs and maintain tension in your glutes to create a stable base and prevent excessive back arching.
Common mistakes
- Overarching the lower back: this shifts stress away from the chest and deltoids and increases injury risk to the spine.
- Pressing straight up instead of following the arc: this fights the natural path of the landmine and reduces pressing efficiency.
- Letting the elbow flare excessively outward: this places unnecessary strain on the shoulder joint and reduces pressing power.
Sets and reps
For strength, perform 3 to 5 sets of 4 to 6 reps per side with heavier load; for hypertrophy, use 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps per side with moderate weight.
Track the Landmine Press in Gym Track
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Get the appFrequently asked questions
- Should I do landmine press with one arm or two arms?
- Single-arm landmine press allows you to address imbalances and engages your core more for stability. Two-arm landmine press lets you handle more total load and is useful for building overall pressing strength.
- Is landmine press better for shoulders or chest?
- The landmine press works both the chest and deltoids, with emphasis shifting based on your torso angle. A more upright position targets the deltoids more, while leaning forward increases chest activation.
- Can I do landmine press without a landmine attachment?
- You can wedge the barbell end into a corner or against a heavy object, though this is less stable and may damage walls or equipment. A proper landmine attachment provides safer and more consistent anchoring.