Breathing
Exhale through the effort and inhale during the controlled return. Keep breathing steadily rather than holding your breath unintentionally.
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The Pin Presses primarily works the triceps, with the chest, forearms, lats, middle back and shoulders supporting the movement. It is a powerlifting movement performed with barbell.

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Movement instructions
Pin presses remove the eccentric phase of the bench press, developing starting strength. They also allow you to train a desired range of motion.
The bench should be set up in a power rack. Set the pins to the desired point in your range of motion, whether it just be lockout or an inch off of your chest. The bar should be moved to the pins and prepared for lifting.
Begin by lying on the bench, with the bar directly above the contact point during your regular bench. Tuck your feet underneath you and arch your back. Using the bar to help support your weight, lift your shoulder off the bench and retract them, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Use your feet to drive your traps into the bench. Maintain this tight body position throughout the movement.
You can take a standard bench grip, or shoulder width to focus on the triceps. The bar, wrist, and elbow should stay in line at all times. Focus on squeezing the bar and trying to pull it apart.
Drive the bar up with as much force as possible. The elbows should be tucked in until lockout.
Return the bar to the pins, pausing before beginning the next repetition.
Technique guidance
Exhale through the effort and inhale during the controlled return. Keep breathing steadily rather than holding your breath unintentionally.
General guidance based on the exercise and equipment. It is not personal coaching or medical advice.
Your progress
Keep the same barbell setup, range of motion and recording method when comparing Pin Presses sessions.
Weight, repetitions and completed sets.
Example: 3 sets of 8 reps at 30 kg. Next time, record the actual result, even if it is the same.
Look for more repetitions at the same weight, or a heavier weight for comparable repetitions. Total weight lifted also changes when you add sets, so it is not a strength score.
Read the tracking guideThe examples show how to keep a record. They are not workout targets or a personalised training plan.
See how Jijibisha tracks your progressMuscles
Muscle guide
Triceps is the primary muscle group. The lighter highlights show the supporting muscles involved in the movement.
Swap it
Different equipment, same muscle
These movements also target the triceps using something else.
Related
Related movements
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