Barbell Guillotine Press

Barbell Guillotine Press is an advanced compound push using barbell, bench. It loads Chest.

Why this lift

The Barbell Guillotine Press is a advanced compound push lift. It primarily loads Chest. Shoulders, Triceps help. You need barbell, bench. Most programs place it near the start of a session, while you are fresh. You may also hear it called Guillotine Press.

Chest work in a program is mostly presses and flies. The bar path and elbow angle matter more than grinding extra kilos with a bounced rep. This one asks for control and existing strength. Skip it until the easier variations in this library feel solid.

Muscles worked

• Primary: Chest
• Secondary: Shoulders, Triceps

Setup

• Set barbell, bench. Shoulder blades packed, wrists stacked, feet planted.

How to do it

1. Lower under control, then press. Keep Chest as the prime movers.
2. Lock out without shrugging the shoulders into the ears.

Coaching cues

• Elbows under the load.
• Press yourself away from the weight.

Common mistakes

• Flaring and losing the lats. Tuck slightly and stay packed.
• Bouncing the bottom. Own the pause, then press.

How to program it

Treat the Barbell Guillotine Press as a main lift: 3–5 working sets, add load or a rep when the last set still looks like the first. Leave isolation work for after.

Estimate a training max with the 1RM calculator from a heavy set of 3–5, then work in percentages instead of guessing the next jump.

If the Barbell Guillotine Press does not agree with you, Assisted Dip trains Chest with a different setup.

Related lifts

• Assisted Dip Chest
• Barbell Bench Press Chest
• Barbell Larsen Press Chest
• Cable Chest Press Chest
• Cable Crossover Chest
• Cable Fly High to Low Chest

FAQ

What muscles does the Barbell Guillotine Press work?

The Barbell Guillotine Press works Chest (primary), Shoulders, Triceps (secondary).

What equipment do I need for the Barbell Guillotine Press?

You need barbell, bench.

Is the Barbell Guillotine Press suitable for beginners?

No. The Barbell Guillotine Press is marked advanced. Build the pattern with the easier related lifts first.