Overhead Press Bar Hitting Your Chin or Face

The bar clips your chin or nose on the way up, or you have to consciously dodge it every rep.

Why it happens

How to fix it

Pull your head back, not down, as the bar leaves your shoulders

Make a double chin. The bar goes straight up while your head gets out of the way.

Once the bar clears your forehead, push your torso through

Head moves forward under the bar so it finishes over your midfoot, not in front of you.

Start with the bar on your front delts, elbows slightly in front

A rack position too low adds unnecessary travel past your face.

Cue "bar over midfoot at lockout"

Ears visible in front of your arms when you look from the side.

Worth knowing: Dodging the bar by leaning back instead of moving your head is how the chin problem becomes a lower back problem.

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