Squeeze a weight plate between both palms and press it forward while maintaining the inward squeeze to load the chest. The movement emphasizes horizontal pressing with sustained pectoral contraction.
How to do the Svend Press#
- Stand tall with feet about hip-width and hold a weight plate vertically against your palms at chest level.
- Clamp the plate firmly by pressing both palms inward and draw your elbows slightly toward the midline to engage the chest.
- Extend your arms straight forward while keeping the plate compressed and the chest muscles tight.
- Pause briefly at full extension while maintaining the squeeze, then control the plate back to the starting position.
Muscles worked#
- Primary: Chest (Pectoralis Major)
- Secondary: Front delts (Anterior Deltoid), Triceps (Triceps Brachii), Forearms (Forearm Flexors & Extensors (incl. Brachioradialis))
Common mistakes#
- Letting the plate rotate or slip in your hands.
- Releasing the squeeze during the forward press.
- Overarching the lower back to gain reach.
- Pushing primarily with the arms instead of keeping chest tension.
