Barbell Guillotine Bench Press
The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press is a intermediate compound movement that activates 3 muscle groups simultaneously. It primarily targets the Chest, making it one of the more efficient exercises in RepStack's 873-exercise database.
Starting position
Ending position
Muscles Worked
The chest handles the primary load during this movement. The shoulders and triceps assist as stabilizers throughout the range of motion.
How to Barbell Guillotine Bench Press
- 1
Using a medium width grip (a grip that creates a 90-degree angle in the middle of the movement between the forearms and the upper arms), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over your neck with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.
- 2
As you breathe in, bring the bar down slowly until it is about 1 inch from your neck.
- 3
After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms and squeeze your chest in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
- 4
Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
- 5
When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Common Mistakes
- • Brace your core before initiating the movement — maintain tension throughout the entire range of motion.
- • Control the eccentric (lowering) phase for at least 2 seconds to maximize muscle fiber recruitment.
- • Grip the bar evenly on both sides — even a small offset shifts the load asymmetrically.
- • Keep the bar path as vertical as possible over your base of support.
- • Avoid locking out aggressively at the top — stop just short of full extension to keep tension on the muscle.
Similar Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press work?
The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press primarily works the Chest. Secondary muscles include the Shoulders, Triceps, which assist during the movement.
Is the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press good for beginners?
The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press is rated intermediate. Beginners should build foundational strength with simpler movements first, then progress to this exercise once comfortable with the movement pattern.
What equipment do I need for the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press?
You need barbell to perform the Barbell Guillotine Bench Press. Most commercial gyms will have this available.
Track your estimated one-rep max over time. Use our 1RM calculator to see where you stand, or let RepStack compute it automatically after every set.
Track Your Progress
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