Barbell Exercises: 113+ Movements for Strength and Size
The barbell is the foundation of serious strength training. Its fixed bar path and ability to handle heavy loads make it unmatched for building maximal strength. From the squat rack to the bench, barbell training teaches your body to move efficiently under load. Progressive overload is straightforward: add weight to the bar each week. The barbell builds not just muscle but total-body coordination and mental toughness.
Best Barbell Exercises
Barbell Back Squat
The king of leg exercises, building quad, glute, and core strength with heavy loads.
Deadlift
Works your entire posterior chain in one movement, building total-body strength.
Bench Press
The standard measure of upper body pressing power, targeting chest, shoulders, and triceps.
Barbell Row
Builds a thick back and teaches powerful hip hinge mechanics.
Overhead Press
The purest test of shoulder strength, also engaging core and upper back.
Romanian Deadlift
Targets hamstrings and glutes with controlled eccentric loading.
Front Squat
Emphasizes quads and core while teaching upright torso position.
Who Needs Barbell Equipment
- 1
Powerlifters and strength athletes chasing maximal strength numbers.
- 2
Intermediate lifters ready to progress beyond dumbbells and machines.
- 3
Anyone wanting efficient compound movements that train multiple muscles per exercise.
Barbell Basics Workout
A simple barbell-only routine for beginners. Perform 2-3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions.
All Barbell Exercises (113)
Barbell Bench Press
Barbell
Incline Barbell Bench Press
Barbell
Decline Bench Press
Barbell
Close-Grip Bench Press
Barbell
Floor Press
Barbell
Pause Bench Press
Barbell
Spoto Press
Barbell
Tempo Bench Press
Barbell
Reverse-Grip Bench Press
Barbell
Pin Press
Barbell
Board Press
Barbell
Guillotine Press
Barbell
Wide-Grip Barbell Bench Press
Barbell
Barbell Row
Barbell
T-Bar Row
Barbell
Deadlift
Barbell
Rack Pull
Barbell
Pendlay Row
Barbell
Meadows Row
Barbell
Inverted Row
Barbell
Landmine Row
Barbell
Deficit Deadlift
Barbell
Snatch-Grip Deadlift
Barbell
Paused Deadlift
Barbell
Block Pull
Barbell
Barbell Shrug
Barbell
Behind-the-Back Shrug
Barbell
Seal Row
Barbell
Yates Row
Barbell
Snatch Grip Row
Barbell
One Arm Landmine Row
Barbell
Bent Over Barbell Row
Barbell
T-Bar Row Close Grip
Barbell
Underhand Barbell Row
Barbell
Overhead Press (Barbell)
Barbell
Upright Row
Barbell
Push Press
Barbell
Overhead Shrug
Barbell
Z-Press
Barbell
High Pull
Barbell
Power Shrug
Barbell
Behind Neck Press
Barbell
Javelin Press
Barbell
Bradford Press
Barbell
Klokov Press
Barbell
Snatch-Grip Behind Neck Press
Barbell
Standing Barbell Front Raise
Barbell
Reverse Grip Overhead Press
Barbell
Seated Barbell Overhead Press
Barbell
Seated Behind Neck Press
Barbell
Barbell Curl
Barbell
Reverse Curl
Barbell
Drag Curl
Barbell
21s Bicep Curl
Barbell
Wide Grip Barbell Curl
Barbell
Cheat Curl
Barbell
Strict Curl
Barbell
Spider Curl Barbell
Barbell
Barbell Spider Curl
Barbell
JM Press
Barbell
Decline Close Grip Bench Press
Barbell
California Press
Barbell
Close Grip Floor Press
Barbell
Barbell Back Squat
Barbell
Front Squat
Barbell
Pause Squat
Barbell
Tempo Squat
Barbell
Zercher Squat
Barbell
Safety Bar Squat
Barbell
Barbell Lunge
Barbell
Jefferson Squat
Barbell
Box Squat
Barbell
Pin Squat
Barbell
Anderson Squat
Barbell
One and a Half Squat
Barbell
Eccentric Squat
Barbell
Romanian Deadlift
Barbell
Stiff Leg Deadlift
Barbell
Good Morning
Barbell
Hip Thrust
Barbell
Deficit RDL
Barbell
Seated Good Morning
Barbell
Pause RDL
Barbell
Wide Stance RDL
Barbell
Heel Elevated RDL
Barbell
Snatch Grip RDL
Barbell
One and a Half RDL
Barbell
Deficit Stiff Leg Deadlift
Barbell
Barbell Hip Thrust
Barbell
Sumo Deadlift
Barbell
Glute-Focused Back Squat
Barbell
Barbell Glute Bridge
Barbell
B-Stance Hip Thrust
Barbell
Pause Hip Thrust
Barbell
Barbell Calf Raise
Barbell
Landmine Rotation
Barbell
Barbell Rollout
Barbell
Barbell Wrist Curl
Barbell
Barbell Reverse Wrist Curl
Barbell
Behind-the-Back Barbell Wrist Curl
Barbell
Reverse Curl (forearm focus)
Barbell
Barbell Hold (heavy static)
Barbell
Power Clean
Barbell
Power Snatch
Barbell
Hang Clean
Barbell
Hang Snatch
Barbell
Clean and Press
Barbell
Clean and Jerk
Barbell
Thruster (Barbell)
Barbell
Bear Complex
Barbell
Clean Pull
Barbell
Snatch Pull
Barbell
Barbell Complex
Barbell
Get a Plan Using Barbell Equipment
MySetPlan builds you a complete monthly workout plan tailored to your available equipment — including barbell exercises programmed with the right sets, reps, and progressive overload.
Start Your Free Trial