Tip: The Right Grip for the Barbell Ab Rollout

To keep your shoulders healthy, always use a shoulder-width grip or slightly narrower on this great core exercise.

The barbell rollout is one of the best anti-extension and anti-flexion exercises for your trunk. The exercise becomes increasingly more difficult the further you roll out due to the longer lever. Therefore, the fully extended end position is the most difficult position for your trunk, as well as for your shoulders.

One common flaw is using a grip that's too wide. The correct grip width should be shoulder width or slightly narrower.

Sometimes you see one and a half times shoulder width or double shoulder width, which might look impressive, but a grip that's wider than shoulder width puts you shoulder in a vulnerable position. So always choose a grip that's shoulder width or less to save your shoulders.

Christian Bosse is a strength-and-conditioning specialist who has developed some of the world's strongest athletes. He prepared competitors for medal success at the Olympic Games in London (2012) and Rio (2016). Christian is currently working with athletes in preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo (2020). Follow Christian Bosse on Facebook