Equipment Guide
Barbell Training Guide
The barbell is the gold standard for heavy compound lifting. It allows bilateral loading, progressive overload in small increments, and the highest absolute loads of any free weight tool.
66
Exercises
12
Muscle Groups
16
Beginner-Friendly
Best For
✓Heavy compound lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press)
✓Progressive overload with small plate increments
✓Strength and powerlifting-style training
✓Building maximum muscle mass
Limitations to Know
⚠Requires a rack or bench for most exercises
⚠Fixed bar path can aggravate shoulder or wrist issues
⚠Less effective for isolation and single-arm work
Barbell Exercises by Muscle Group
Chest6
Barbell Bench Pressintermediate
Chest85%
Triceps40%
Shoulders30%
Decline Bench Pressintermediate
Chest85%
Triceps40%
Shoulders20%
Incline Barbell Bench Pressintermediate
Chest80%
Shoulders45%
Triceps30%
Floor Pressintermediate
Chest70%
Triceps55%
Shoulders25%
Svend Pressbeginner
Chest75%
Shoulders25%
Barbell Landmine Pressintermediate
Chest70%
Shoulders40%
Triceps30%
Abs20%
Back8
Barbell Rowintermediate
Back85%
Biceps40%
Traps30%
Forearms25%
T-Bar Rowintermediate
Back85%
Biceps35%
Traps35%
Forearms25%
Deadliftintermediate
Back70%
Hamstrings65%
Glutes60%
Traps40%
Forearms35%
Quads30%
Power Cleanadvanced
Back60%
Glutes55%
Traps50%
Hamstrings50%
Quads45%
Shoulders40%
Trap Bar Deadliftbeginner
Back65%
Glutes55%
Quads50%
Hamstrings45%
Traps35%
Forearms30%
Pendlay Rowintermediate
Back85%
Biceps35%
Traps30%
Forearms25%
Meadows Rowintermediate
Back85%
Biceps30%
Forearms25%
Barbell Seal Rowintermediate
Back85%
Biceps40%
Traps35%
Shoulders5
Biceps6
Triceps4
Quads8
Barbell Squatintermediate
Quads80%
Glutes65%
Hamstrings30%
Abs25%
Front Squatadvanced
Quads85%
Glutes55%
Abs30%
Walking Lungebeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Hamstrings25%
Thrusterintermediate
Quads70%
Shoulders60%
Glutes55%
Abs25%
Box Squatintermediate
Quads75%
Glutes60%
Hamstrings35%
Reverse Lungebeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Hamstrings25%
Barbell Overhead Squatadvanced
Quads75%
Shoulders50%
Abs45%
Glutes40%
Hamstrings20%
Barbell Zercher Squatadvanced
Quads80%
Abs55%
Glutes45%
Biceps30%
Hamstrings20%
Hamstrings5
Romanian Deadliftintermediate
Hamstrings85%
Glutes65%
Back30%
Forearms20%
Stiff-Leg Deadliftintermediate
Hamstrings85%
Glutes60%
Back35%
Good Morningintermediate
Hamstrings80%
Glutes55%
Back40%
Barbell Hip Hingeintermediate
Hamstrings75%
Glutes55%
Back40%
Barbell Sumo Deadliftintermediate
Hamstrings70%
Glutes65%
Back45%
Quads40%
Glutes6
Hip Thrustintermediate
Glutes95%
Hamstrings30%
Glute Bridgebeginner
Glutes85%
Hamstrings25%
Sumo Deadliftintermediate
Glutes75%
Quads50%
Hamstrings45%
Back35%
Forearms25%
Barbell Hip Thrustintermediate
Glutes90%
Hamstrings35%
Abs20%
Barbell Glute Bridgeintermediate
Glutes85%
Hamstrings30%
Abs15%
Barbell Curtsy Lungeintermediate
Glutes80%
Quads45%
Hamstrings30%
Calves3
Abs2
Forearms6
Traps7
Barbell Shrugbeginner
Traps90%
Forearms20%
Rack Pullintermediate
Traps70%
Back60%
Forearms40%
Glutes35%
Upright Rowintermediate
Traps75%
Shoulders55%
Barbell Overhead Shrugadvanced
Traps75%
Shoulders40%
Barbell High Pulladvanced
Traps80%
Shoulders45%
Back40%
Biceps20%
Barbell Overhead Shrugintermediate
Traps80%
Shoulders30%
Barbell Rack Pull Shrugintermediate
Traps85%
Back40%
Forearms35%
Other Equipment Guides
Get a barbell workout built for you
Tell Revy your goal, experience level, and available time — get a personalized barbell workout in seconds.