How to Use a Landmine Attachment for Barbell Exercises

By Gym Equipment | Built to Work | Home & Commercial | NORTHERN | Published: 2026-10-23

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to set up and use a barbell landmine attachment for presses, rows, and twists. Step-by-step guide with common mistakes to avoid for home gym training.

Quick Answer

To use a landmine attachment, anchor one end of a barbell in the attachment's sleeve, load the other end with plates, and perform angled presses, rows, or rotational movements. The fixed pivot reduces shoulder strain and allows unilateral training.

Why Use a Landmine Attachment for Home Gym Training

A landmine attachment turns a standard barbell into a versatile tool for pressing, rowing, and twisting exercises. Unlike a traditional barbell bench press, the landmine press keeps your shoulders in a more natural arc, which can reduce joint stress for lifters with shoulder issues.

Because the barbell pivots from the floor, you can work one arm at a time without needing a separate dumbbell set. This makes it especially useful for correcting muscle imbalances or adding variety to a home gym barbell setup.

Choosing the Right Attachment for Your Setup

Not all landmine attachments fit every barbell or weight plate. Before buying, check that the sleeve diameter matches your barbell's shaft (typically 2 inches for Olympic bars) and that the base plate can be bolted or slid under a weight stack or plate-loaded rack.

The Northern Barbell Landmine Attachment is built from heavy-duty steel with a powder-coated finish, so it resists rust and holds up to repeated use. Its compact design also means it stores easily when not in use.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Landmine Attachment

Step 1: Secure the Landmine Attachment: Place the landmine attachment on the floor inside a power rack or under a heavy plate-loaded weight stack. If your model has a plate slot, slide a weight plate over the base to prevent sliding. Ensure the sleeve faces upward at about a 45-degree angle. Common mistake: using the attachment without anchoring it. If the base moves during a press, you lose stability and risk the barbell tipping.
Step 2: Insert the Barbell and Load Weights: Slide one end of a standard Olympic barbell into the attachment's sleeve until it stops. Load weight plates onto the opposite end and secure them with a collar. For landmine presses, load the bar close to the sleeve to reduce leverage and make the lift easier. Common mistake: loading plates too far from the sleeve. This increases the effective weight and can cause the bar to feel heavier than expected.
Step 3: Perform a Landmine Press: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, grasp the barbell near the loaded end with one hand (palm facing inward), and press the bar upward and slightly forward until your arm is fully extended. Lower the bar back to chest height under control. Checkpoint: keep your core braced and avoid arching your lower back. If you feel lower back strain, reduce the weight or switch to a kneeling press.
Step 4: Perform a Landmine Row: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, hinge at the hips so your torso is nearly parallel to the floor, and grasp the barbell near the loaded end with one hand. Pull the bar toward your hip, squeezing your shoulder blade, then lower it slowly. Common mistake: using your biceps to pull instead of your back. Focus on driving your elbow backward rather than curling the bar.
Step 5: Add Rotational Movements: For a landmine twist, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hold the barbell near the loaded end with both hands, and rotate your torso to one side while keeping your hips facing forward. Control the movement and avoid jerking. Checkpoint: do not let the barbell swing out of control. Use a slow tempo and a light plate until you master the range of motion.

Product Highlight

Barbell Landmine Attachment: Constructed from heavy-duty steel with a premium powder-coated finish, this attachment offers a secure pivot for presses, rows, twists, and rotational strength exercises. The durable steel and powder coating mean the attachment stays stable during heavy landmine presses and rows, and resists corrosion in a garage or basement gym.
Barbell Landmine Attachment