Which lift gives the most impressive upper body look?

[abett07]

Out of the following 4 lifts which one do you think would give the most impressive upper body look. I am talking about that strong broad masculine look from the front .

Bench press
Incline Bench press
Seated overhead press
Seated behind the neck press

cheers

[Off Road]

From the list you provided, I'd have to go with the seated overhead press.

However, I think your list is VERY limiting. There are many lifts that would have a more powerful effect on your upper body if done as a stand-alone exercise. My top three stand-alone exercises for upper body groth would be:

#1. Deadlifts
These hit so many muscles all at once and will cause a growth effect throughout the entire body. Not to mention that they can make your back absolutely THICK. You want that strong masculine look, think back muscles first...Think Olympic lifters.

#2. Weighted Bar Dips
Bar Dips also work a ton of upper body muscles including chest. shoulders, arms, and upper back. It's like the squat for the upper body and will get you thick.

#3 Weighted Chin-ups
This is the true upper body squat. It works the biggest muscles in the upper body through a full range of movement. Once again, if you are looking for that thick powerful look then you need to think of the back first. The back will add to your width and thicknes, not just fluffy mirror muscles.

Those three lifts are very results producing and combining the three of them would give you an absolutely thick, strong, and impressive upper body. Of course you could do more than just those three lifts for a well-rounded routine, but those three would give great results and be pretty well rounded. You'd be lacking for nothing.

[BendtheBar]

I'm with Off Road...of the lifts, big shoulders stand out most to me. BTNs worked wonders for me.

Those, along with deadlifts and heavy shrugs. Big shoulders and traps make a man look like a mountain.

[Tannhauser]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I'm with Off Road...of the lifts, big shoulders stand out most to me. BTNs worked wonders for me.

Those, along with deadlifts and heavy shrugs. Big shoulders and traps make a man look like a mountain.

I agree. Standing press is the one for me.

Re: the picture - that guy he's interviewing looks OK too.

[markievicz]

Im gonna side with Tann here, overhead press always stands out for me as an impressive lift.

That said , weighted pull ups are one I had not considered before but will do in future

[LtL]

If you wanna look impressive IMO you need a back that you can see from the front. Pressing is good but you need a foundation to build those pecs and shoulders on. The back is that foundation.

LtL

[glwanabe]

Full squat clean and press.

The rest leave part of the equation out. In truth, no one movement covers all the bases, but you really do not need to do as many moves as most routines have in them.

[Off Road]

I did some more thinking on this subject. I came up with what I consider to be the priorities for building an impressive upper body. In order...

1. Back
2. Shoulders
3. Neck
4. Arms
5. Chest
6. Abz