Board Press

intermediatebarbell·compound·push

Muscles Worked

Primary

anconeus triceps brachii

Secondary

Abdominal part of left pectoralis major Abdominal part of right pectoralis major Anterior papillary muscle of right ventricle Anterolateral head of lateral papillary muscle of left ventricle External intercostal muscle Innermost intercostal muscle Internal intercostal muscle Lateral papillary muscle of left ventricle pectoralis major pectoralis minor transversus thoracis Abductor digiti minimi of left hand Abductor digiti minimi of right hand abductor pollicis brevis abductor pollicis longus adductor pollicis brachioradialis extensor carpi radialis brevis extensor carpi radialis longus extensor carpi ulnaris extensor digiti minimi extensor digitorum extensor indicis extensor pollicis brevis extensor pollicis longus flexor carpi radialis Flexor digiti minimi brevis of left hand Flexor digiti minimi brevis of right hand flexor digitorum longus flexor digitorum profundus flexor digitorum superficialis flexor pollicis brevis flexor pollicis longus Flexor retinaculum of left wrist Flexor retinaculum of right wrist Humeral head of left flexor carpi ulnaris Humeral head of left pronator teres Humeral head of right flexor carpi ulnaris Humeral head of right pronator teres Opponens digiti minimi of left foot Opponens digiti minimi of left hand Opponens digiti minimi of right foot Opponens digiti minimi of right hand opponens pollicis palmaris longus pronator quadratus Set of dorsal interossei of left hand Set of dorsal interossei of right hand Set of lumbricals of left hand Set of lumbricals of right hand Set of palmar interossei of left hand Set of palmar interossei of right hand supinator Third lumbrical of left foot Third lumbrical of right foot Ulnar head of left flexor carpi ulnaris Ulnar head of left pronator teres Ulnar head of right flexor carpi ulnaris Ulnar head of right pronator teres serratus anterior coracobrachialis deltoid infraspinatus muscle subscapularis supraspinatus teres major teres minor

How to Perform

Begin by lying on the bench, getting your head beyond the bar if possible. One to five boards, made out of 2x6's, can be screwed together and held in place by a training partner, bands, or just tucked under your shirt.

Tuck your feet underneath you and arch your back. Using the bar to help support your weight, lift your shoulder off the bench and retract them, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Use your feet to drive your traps into the bench. Maintain this tight body position throughout the movement.

You can take a standard bench grip, or shoulder width to focus on the triceps. Pull the bar out of the rack without protracting your shoulders. The bar, wrist, and elbow should stay in line at all times. Focus on squeezing the bar and trying to pull it apart.

Lower the bar to the boards, and then drive the bar up with as much force as possible. The elbows should be tucked in until lockout.