Chest
Larsen Press
Refine your bench press technique and build raw upper body power by removing leg drive from the movement.
How to perform.
Follow the sequence — setup is half the lift.
Lie flat on a weight bench and grip the barbell slightly wider than shoulder-width apart with a firm overhand grip.
Unrack the bar and hold it directly over your chest while extending your legs straight out in front of you, keeping your feet hovering off the floor.
Inhale and lower the barbell slowly until it lightly touches your mid-chest, keeping your elbows tucked at a 45-degree angle.
Maintain a tight core and stable torso to prevent your body from rocking on the bench without the support of your legs.
Press the bar back to the starting position by contracting your chest and triceps until your arms are fully locked out.
Exhale at the top of the movement and ensure the bar remains stable before beginning the next repetition.
Common mistakes.
Fix these first — they cost reps, kilos, and joints.
- Letting the feet touch the ground for stability
- Excessively arching the lower back without leg support
- Bouncing the barbell off the chest to create momentum
- Allowing the torso to tilt or shift side-to-side during the press
Muscles worked.
The primary movers do the work; the stabilizers keep the path honest.