10 Best EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press Alternatives for Shoulder Strength

The EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press is done standing with an EZ bar. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Bradford/rocky Presses, the Clean And Press and the Double Kettlebell Push Press.

EZ Barbell Anti Gravity PressWatch the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press

The steps for the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Delts, with triceps, chest · Ez-barbell · Advanced · Compound

  1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the ez barbell with an overhand grip.
  2. Raise the barbell to shoulder height, keeping your elbows slightly bent and your palms facing forward.
  3. Press the barbell overhead, extending your arms fully.
  4. Lower the barbell back to shoulder height and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Bradford/rocky Presses

    1. Bradford/rocky Presses

    99% match

    Delts · Advanced · Compound

    A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on a Military Press Bench with a bar at shoulder level with a pronated grip (palms facing forward). Tip: Your grip should be wider than shoulder width and it should create a 90-degree angle between the forearm and the upper arm as the barbell goes down. This is your starting position.
    2. Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms.
    3. Now lower the bar down to the back of the head slowly as you inhale.
    4. Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale.
    5. Lower the bar down to the starting position slowly as you inhale. This is one repetition.
    6. Alternate in this manner until you complete the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
  3. Double Kettlebell Push Press

    3. Double Kettlebell Push Press

    96% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a kettlebell to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Kettlebell
    How to perform it
    1. Clean two kettlebells to your shoulders.
    2. Squat down a few inches and reverse the motion rapidly. Use the momentum from the legs to drive the kettlebells overhead.
    3. Once the kettlebells are locked out, lower the kettlebells to your shoulders and repeat.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
  4. Dumbbell Push PressPlay demonstration

    4. Dumbbell Push Press

    95% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and dip your body down, then explosively extend your legs and press the dumbbells overhead.
    3. Lock out your arms at the top of the movement, then lower the dumbbells back to shoulder level.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
  6. Standing Two-arm Overhead Throw

    6. Standing Two-arm Overhead Throw

    95% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a medicine ball to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Medicine-ball
    How to perform it
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart holding a medicine ball in both hands. To begin, reach the medicine ball deep behind your head as you bend the knees slightly and lean back.
    2. Violently throw the ball forward, flexing at the hip and using your whole body to complete the movement.
    3. The medicine ball can be thrown to a partner or to a wall, receiving it as it bounces back.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press

Why You Might Need an EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press Alternative

You may substitute the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press because of equipment limits, wrist discomfort from the cambered grip, shoulder impingement, or the need for unilateral work to fix imbalances. Biomechanically, the EZ bar alters wrist angle and elbow flare, which changes deltoid recruitment and can increase torque on the biceps tendon and rotator cuff. Picking alternatives that preserve vertical abduction and allow scapular upward rotation keeps deltoid activation high while reducing joint stress. Cue for testing substitutions: perform light sets and note whether you can maintain scapular control and a pain-free overhead path.

How to Choose the Right EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press Substitute

Match the substitute to movement pattern, load capacity and joint comfort. If you want identical deltoid loading choose dumbbells or a neutral-grip bar to maintain vertical press mechanics; cue: keep the wrist stacked over the forearm to reduce torque. For wrist or cuff irritation pick landmine or neutral-grip kettlebell presses that limit horizontal abduction and compressive force. Prioritize unilateral options to reveal side-to-side weakness, and select machines when you need a fixed path during rehab. Always test with submaximal sets and watch for preserved scapular upward rotation and rotator cuff engagement.

EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press FAQ

What muscles does EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press work?

The movement primarily targets the anterior and medial deltoids, with secondary loading of the triceps and upper chest. It also demands scapular upward rotation and rotator cuff stabilization; cue: drive the elbows upward while keeping the scapula stabilized to maximize delt recruitment.

Can I build muscle without doing EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press?

Yes, you can achieve equal or better hypertrophy with alternatives like dumbbell overhead presses, landmine presses and controlled bodyweight pike pushes. Focus on progressive overload, controlled eccentrics and full range of motion; cue: use a slow lowering phase to increase time under tension and deltoid activation.

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