Viking Press

PushBB

A bilateral landmine-style press using a Viking press attachment (or two barbells set up in a rack), pressing with both hands on a neutral-grip handle straight in front of the chest — a strongman staple that spares the shoulders compared to a straight barbell overhead press.

Demo: Strength coaching demo

Sets

3

Reps

6-10

Rest

2 min

Contraindications

Requires a power rack with safety pins and two barbells, or a Viking press attachment — advanced setup.

Setup

Load a Viking press attachment on a landmine or set up two barbells across a power rack's safety pins as fulcrums. Grip the handles at shoulder height.

Execution

  1. 1Brace the core before pressing
  2. 2Press the handles up and slightly forward along the natural arc
  3. 3Allow slight forward body lean as you lock out
  4. 4Lower under control back to the shoulders

Key cues

  • Let your body lean into the press naturally
  • Push your head through at the top
  • Brace the core throughout
  • Control the descent

Common faults

  • Fighting the natural arc of the bar
  • Excessive knee dip if not intending a push-press variation
  • Losing core brace
  • Uneven pressing between the two handles

Tweaks

  • Push-press variation with a slight knee dip for more load
  • Perform as a strict press for pure strength
  • Increase range of motion by lowering the safety pins further

Regressions

Standing Landmine Press

Muscles

Primary: Anterior Deltoid, Triceps Brachii, Upper Pectoralis

Secondary: Core, Upper Traps

Notes

Requires a barbell and rack setup — future equipment for Jason.

Sources

Attribution: Strongman canon