TETSUBarbell Seated Behind Head Military Press vs Left Hook (Boxing)
The Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press and the Left Hook (Boxing) both train the delts as their primary muscle. The Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press uses a barbell while the Left Hook (Boxing) is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press | Left Hook (Boxing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | delts | delts |
| Body part | shoulders | shoulders |
| Supporting muscles | triceps and upper back | biceps, triceps and forearms |
| Equipment | barbell | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 5 |
How each one starts
Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press — first steps
- Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
- Hold the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Left Hook (Boxing) — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Keep your left hand up to protect your face and your right hand by your chin.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The Left Hook (Boxing) needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the delts adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press better than the Left Hook (Boxing)?
Neither is universally better — both train the delts as the primary mover. The Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the Left Hook (Boxing) needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press and the Left Hook (Boxing) in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the delts. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press and the Left Hook (Boxing) work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the delts. Supporting muscles differ slightly — triceps and upper back for the Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press versus biceps, triceps and forearms for the Left Hook (Boxing).
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.