Guillotine Press
Primary
Chest
Secondary
Shoulders
Equipment
Barbell
Difficulty
Advanced
Type
Push
Guillotine Press
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NASM-CPT, CSCS certified trainers. Every guide is built from peer-reviewed research and real coaching experience.
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.
What muscles does the Guillotine Press work?
Also targets: Shoulders
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Step-by-step: Guillotine Press
- 1
Lie on a flat bench.
- 2
Grip the bar wider than normal.
- 3
Lower the bar toward your neck/upper chest.
- 4
Keep elbows flared to the sides.
- 5
Press back up to full extension.
- 6
Use lighter weight than regular bench.
What are the best tips for the Guillotine Press?
Targets upper chest more.
Named for bar path toward neck.
Use lighter weight for optimal results.
Requires good shoulder health.
When to Use the Guillotine Press
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.
Mistakes to watch for on the Guillotine Press
Using too much weight.
Loading more weight than you can control on the Guillotine Press forces compensatory movement patterns that bypass your Upper chest. Drop the weight until you can perform every rep with clean form — your results will actually improve.
Actually pressing to neck (dangerous).
Craning your neck during the Guillotine Press compresses your cervical spine and can cause nerve impingement. Keep your head in a neutral position — pick a spot to look at and hold it through the set.
Poor shoulder mobility.
Without proper shoulder positioning during the Guillotine Press, your Upper chest can't fully engage. Set your shoulder blades down and back before you start, and maintain that position throughout each rep.
Who should do the Guillotine Press?
Advanced lifters with healthy shoulders. Bodybuilders targeting upper pec development. Those who respond well to flared-elbow pressing.
How to Program the Guillotine Press
Lower reps with heavier weight builds raw strength. Your muscles and nervous system adapt to handle more load over time. This range is best for strength-focused goals.
This rep range keeps your muscles under tension long enough to trigger growth. Most people see the best muscle-building results in this zone. It balances strength and muscle size.
Higher reps with lighter weight builds muscular endurance and improves conditioning. This range is good for joint health and building work capacity.
General guideline: 3 sets of 8-12 reps. Rest 2min.
What are good alternatives to the Guillotine Press?
Other Variations
- Dumbbell Guillotine Press
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.
The Guillotine Press is rated as advanced difficulty, meaning it requires some training experience. Advanced lifters with healthy shoulders. Bodybuilders targeting upper pec development. Those who respond well to flared-elbow pressing. Focus on proper technique and consider starting with easier variations.
For the Guillotine Press, the recommended approach depends on your goals. 3 sets of 8-12 reps. Rest 2min. For strength, use 6-8 reps. For muscle growth, perform 8-12 reps. For endurance, complete 12-15 reps.
The Guillotine Press typically requires a barbell, which most home gyms don't have. For a home-friendly alternative targeting the same muscles, check the variations section above.
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.
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Safety Notes
- Use light weight.
- Have a spotter.
- Stop if shoulder pain occurs.