The seated French press (seated triceps extension) is performed sitting with a barbell or EZ-bar held behind the head, extending the elbows to press the bar overhead and lowering it back down behind the head with control. Like the overhead dumbbell extension, it isolates the triceps through a long range of motion, with the seated position helping to keep the torso stable. It's a common accessory for building pressing strength and triceps size.
Technique: sitting upright with a neutral spine, the bar (barbell or EZ-bar) is held behind the head with the upper arms close to the head and roughly vertical, similar to the dumbbell version but using both hands on one bar. The bar is lowered behind the head by bending the elbows, then pressed back up overhead by extending them, with the upper arms staying still throughout.
Common technical errors: letting the elbows drift forward or apart, which turns the movement into more of a shoulder press; using a grip width that strains the wrists; arching the lower back to assist the lift; and bouncing the bar at the bottom of the range instead of controlling it.
Technique: sitting upright with a neutral spine, the bar (barbell or EZ-bar) is held behind the head with the upper arms close to the head and roughly vertical, similar to the dumbbell version but using both hands on one bar. The bar is lowered behind the head by bending the elbows, then pressed back up overhead by extending them, with the upper arms staying still throughout.
Common technical errors: letting the elbows drift forward or apart, which turns the movement into more of a shoulder press; using a grip width that strains the wrists; arching the lower back to assist the lift; and bouncing the bar at the bottom of the range instead of controlling it.