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Barbell Seated Bradford Rocky Press
A seated barbell press that alternates the bar over the head from front to back without locking out, keeping constant tension on all three deltoid heads.
ShouldersBarbellVertical press
GoLightWeight mediabarbell-seated-bradford-rocky-press
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Anterior deltoidsLateral deltoids
Secondary
Rear deltoidsTricepsUpper trapezius
Equipment
Barbell
Pattern
Vertical press
Setup
- 01Sit on an upright bench inside a rack with the bar at shoulder height.
- 02Grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder width.
- 03Unrack to the front rack position at the collarbones.
- 04Sit tall with the trunk braced and feet planted.
Execution
- 01Press the bar just high enough to clear the top of the head.
- 02Pass it back and lower to the base of the neck behind the head.
- 03Press it back over the head and lower to the collarbones in front.
- 04Continue alternating front to back; one full front-and-back cycle is one rep.
Checkpoints
- -The bar barely clears the head; elbows never reach lockout.
- -The head shifts subtly forward and back to make room, staying neutral.
- -Tempo stays smooth and continuous with no resting position.
- -Torso stays upright on the seat through the whole set.
Common mistakes
- -Pressing to full lockout, which turns it into a regular press and gives the delts a rest.
- -Loading too heavy to keep the bar moving continuously.
- -Ducking the head aggressively instead of moving the bar.
- -Losing the upright torso as fatigue builds.
Programming notes
- -Use 2 to 3 sets of 6 to 10 full front-and-back cycles with light weight.
- -Program it as a hypertrophy or finisher movement, never a strength lift.
- -Requires the same behind-neck mobility as a behind-head press; skip it if that position hurts.
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