Exercise guide
Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise
The Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise is a small-range exercise performed while lying on an incline bench with the bar held above the chest. Instead of bending the elbows, you move the shoulder blades forward to raise the bar slightly. The shoulders perform the primary action while the chest helps support the position.
Training context
Benefits of the Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise
The exercise isolates shoulder-blade movement within a supported pressing position. Its range is intentionally short, so it should not look like a bench press or front raise.
A light load is usually appropriate because the elbows remain straight and the movement comes from the shoulders. The bench and rack should be positioned so the bar can be unracked and returned safely.
Technique overview
Move the shoulders, not the elbows
Lie against the incline bench and hold the bar above you with straight arms. Keep the elbows locked in position as you push the bar slightly upward by moving the shoulder blades away from the bench. Pause briefly, then allow the shoulders to settle back without bending the arms. Avoid lifting the head or chest to create extra range.
Treat this as an overview and use a range, pace, and setup you can control.