Arnold Press vs Pike Push Up

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Arnold Press more often — 2,745 sessions vs 231. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Arnold Press and Pike Push Up for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Arnold Press vs Pike Push Up : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Arnold Press more often — 2,745 sessions compared to 231 for Pike Push Up.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Arnold Press and Pike Push Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Arnold Press and Pike Push Up Differ

What differsArnold PressPike Push Up
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsfront delts, chest, and triceps
Equipmenta dumbbellbodyweight only
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users2,745 sessions231 sessions

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How to Arnold Press

Arnold Press gif

Arnold Press muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the dumbbell by rotating it so that your palm faces forward.
  2. 2. Please lift it without bringing the dumbbell to the center.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. This exercise uses the front deltoids more than a typical shoulder press.
  2. 2. For those with rotator cuff issues, I recommend the Arnold press over the standard shoulder press.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Arnold Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Arnold Press Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Arnold Press methods?Exercise Guide

How to Pike Push Up

Pike Push Up gif

Pike Push Up muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lower yourself slowly until your head touches the floor.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. This is a more advanced exercise than a regular push-up. If you overexert yourself, it can put strain on your neck or the front of your shoulders.
  2. 2. Be careful not to excessively arch your lower back or bend your neck during the movement. If the exercise is too difficult, keep your feet on the floor or substitute with another shoulder exercise.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Pike Push Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pike Push Up Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Pike Push Up methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Arnold Press or Pike Push Up?

Planfit users log Arnold Press more often — 2,745 sessions against 231 for Pike Push Up. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Arnold Press and Pike Push Up work the same muscles?

Not quite. Arnold Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Pike Push Up loads front delts, chest, and triceps.

What equipment do Arnold Press and Pike Push Up need?

Arnold Press needs a dumbbell, and Pike Push Up needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Arnold Press is the easier place to start. Move to Pike Push Up once your form holds up.

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