Car Drivers

A beginner strength exercise for the shoulders and forearms, done with a barbell and a weight plate.

Movement guide

Car Drivers

Demand · source-assignedEasy (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA barbell + Weight plates

Muscle focusShoulders · Forearms

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

This is already one of the gentlest options for these muscles.

This move

Car Drivers demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoCar DriversBeginner · A barbell + Weight plates

Beginner grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Rack Delivery demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoRack DeliveryIntermediate · A barbell + Pull-up bar

Similar move, intermediate grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

While standing upright, hold a barbell plate in both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Your palms should be facing each other and your arms should be extended straight out in front of you. This will be your starting position.
Initiate the movement by rotating the plate as far to one side as possible. Use the same type of movement you would use to turn a steering wheel to one side.
Reverse the motion, turning it all the way to the opposite side.

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

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Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders. Also: Forearms.

Equipment

A barbell + Weight plates

Level

Beginner (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Kettlebell snatch demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoKettlebell snatchAdvanced · A kettlebell

Single Dumbbell Raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSingle Dumbbell RaiseBeginner · A dumbbell

Alternating cable shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating cable shoulder pressIntermediate · A cable machine

Alternating front raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating front raiseBeginner · A dumbbell

Alternating kettlebell press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating kettlebell pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Barbell rear-delt row demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell rear-delt rowAdvanced · A barbell

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Car Drivers work?

Mainly the shoulders, with help from the forearms.

What equipment do I need for the Car Drivers?

A barbell + Weight plates.

Is the Car Drivers good for beginners?

It is graded beginner, so it suits most people starting out. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. When it feels easy, try the Rack Delivery.

How do I make the Car Drivers harder?

Progress to the Rack Delivery, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.