The original test of overhead strength.
Squeeze your glutes and brace your abs to stop the lower back from arching.
This is the strict standing press: no leg drive, no back lean, just delts and then triceps pushing a barbell from your collarbone to lockout while your whole body braces to keep you upright. The front and side delts do the heavy lifting, with the triceps closing out the top half. It is the most honest upper body strength test in the gym because there is nowhere to hide.
Strictness. The military press is done standing with a tight stance, zero knee bend and zero momentum, so it is usually the hardest overhead variation. If your hips or knees are pitching in, it is not a military press any more.
You are leaning back to turn it into an incline press, usually because the weight is too heavy. Squeeze your glutes, brace your abs hard, and drop the load until the bar path stays vertical.
Move your head, not the bar. Tuck your chin back as the bar passes your face, then push your head through once it clears. The bar should travel in a straight vertical line over your mid foot.
