Primary
Chest
Secondary
Shoulders
Equipment
Barbell
Difficulty
Advanced
Type
Push
See how Guillotine Press could fit a workout
The example below shows one possible placement. Your purchased plan is built from your assessment, and Ely checks every exercise before approving it.
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This page is not medical advice or a rehabilitation protocol. Ely's personal review applies to purchased workout plans and does not replace an in-person assessment by a licensed healthcare professional.
The guillotine press brings the bar toward your neck instead of your chest, flaring your elbows wide to shift emphasis to upper pec fibers. Named for the dangerous bar path, it demands respect and light weight. High reward for upper chest—but only for those with healthy shoulders.
When to use it
Use for upper chest emphasis in push workouts or chest-focused sessions.
Who it's for
Advanced lifters with healthy shoulders. Bodybuilders targeting upper pec development. Those who respond well to flared-elbow pressing.
The bar goes toward your clavicles, not your actual neck. Flare your elbows at 90 degrees to maximize upper chest stretch. If your shoulders complain at all, this is not your exercise. Have a spotter ready.
Also targets: Shoulders
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Lie on a flat bench.
Grip the bar wider than normal.
Lower the bar toward your neck/upper chest.
Keep elbows flared to the sides.
Press back up to full extension.
Use lighter weight than regular bench.
Targets upper chest more.
Named for bar path toward neck.
Use lighter weight for optimal results.
Requires good shoulder health.
Use guillotine press sparingly as an upper chest variation when incline pressing is not producing results. Place it after your main pressing work with lighter weight. Never go heavy—the stretched shoulder position under load is inherently risky.
Using too much weight.
Loading more weight than you can control on the Guillotine Press often creates compensations that shift work away from your Upper chest. Reduce the load until each rep follows the intended path.
Actually pressing to neck (dangerous).
Craning your neck during the Guillotine Press changes your upper-body position and can make the rep less stable. Keep your head aligned with your torso and use a consistent gaze.
Poor shoulder mobility.
Changing your shoulder position during the Guillotine Press can redirect the movement away from your Upper chest. Use the shoulder-blade position described in the setup and keep the motion controlled.
Advanced lifters with healthy shoulders. Bodybuilders targeting upper pec development. Those who respond well to flared-elbow pressing.
These ranges illustrate ways to organize training. They are not an individual prescription. Adjust them for the exercise, your experience, and the rest of your program.
Heavier loads can be useful for developing maximum strength. The range shown is an example, and the load must match your current technique and capacity.
Muscle growth can occur across different loads and repetition ranges. This example is not a uniquely effective zone; your overall program and effort also matter.
This is an example of a longer set. A repetition target alone does not establish joint safety or whether the exercise is appropriate for you.
Example: 3 sets of 8-12 reps. Rest 2min.
Background for resistance exercises: the 2026 ACSM position stand covers healthy adults, and a load-comparison review found similar muscle growth across loads in studies using sets taken to muscular failure. These findings do not validate every exercise-specific range shown here or require training to failure.
This is one example of how Guillotine Press could sit inside a complete workout. Your plan may use different movements after Ely checks your assessment.
Sample workout
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Guillotine Press
The Guillotine Press primarily targets the Upper chest, making it an effective exercise for chest development. Secondary muscles worked during the Guillotine Press include Front shoulders, providing additional training stimulus. Stabilizer muscles engaged include Core.
Our library labels Guillotine Press as advanced. That category is not an individual assessment. Review the setup, movement instructions, and safety notes, and seek qualified guidance if you are unsure how to perform it.
The programming section shows examples for Guillotine Press. The appropriate amount depends on your current ability, the exercise, and your other training. The listed ranges are not an individual prescription or a guarantee of a particular outcome.
The main equipment listed for Guillotine Press is a barbell. Check the instructions for any additional support, anchor, bench, rack, or clear space needed. The equipment label alone does not confirm that your home setup is suitable.
Good alternatives to the Guillotine Press include: Incline Barbell Bench Press, Barbell Bench Press. These exercises target similar muscle groups as the Guillotine Press and can be used as substitutes based on your equipment availability, gym setup, or training preferences.