Want Stronger, Safer Lifts? You Need to 'Break the Bar'.
Men's Health
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Lifting heavy weights with perfect form is essential for maximizing gains and minimizing injury risk, especially when using barbell exercises like bench presses or deadlifts. A simple yet powerful cue to enhance performance is "breaking the bar," a technique that engages more muscles and improves stability during lifts. This doesn’t involve literally snapping the bar but instead focusing on how you grip and move it.
To effectively “break the bar,” start by gripping it as hard as possible, imagining holding onto something unstable or dangerous. Next, try to rotate your arms externally while lifting, as if attempting to bend the bar into an upside-down U shape. This movement engages your shoulder blades, lats, and chest, creating better joint positioning and power. Maintain this tension throughout the exercise to reap its benefits.
The primary advantage of this cue is enhanced shoulder stability. By externally rotating your shoulders, you engage your rotator cuff muscles and keep your shoulder blades in a retracted position, which is ideal for safe and powerful lifts. This also helps prevent elbow flare during bench presses, reducing stress on your shoulders and lowering the risk of chronic injuries like rotator cuff tears or impingement.
Engaging your lats through this technique not only improves form but also amplifies muscle activation, particularly in the back muscles. For fitness enthusiasts, these benefits translate to better performance, stronger lifts, and reduced injury risk—key factors for anyone looking to build muscle and stay injury-free while working out.
Incorporating “break the bar” into your training can be a game-changer for both novice and experienced lifters. It’s a simple adjustment that delivers significant results by optimizing form, maximizing strength gains, and keeping
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Originally published on Men's Health on 2/24/2026