Barbell Front Raise vs Smith Machine Behind Neck Press

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Barbell Front Raise is the easier place to start — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 5. Compare Shoulder form cues and when to progress.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Front Raise vs Smith Machine Behind Neck Press : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Front Raise more often — 1,357 sessions compared to 1,214 for Smith Machine Behind Neck Press.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press Differ

What differsBarbell Front RaiseSmith Machine Behind Neck Press
Muscles workedfront deltsfront delts, side delts, and triceps
Equipmenta barbella machine
Difficulty4 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,357 sessions1,214 sessions

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Not sure whether Barbell Front Raise or Smith Machine Behind Neck Press fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Barbell Front Raise

Barbell Front Raise gif

Barbell Front Raise muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please slowly lift the barbell to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  2. 2. Make sure the palms are facing down towards the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
  4. 4. However, do not lower the barbell completely; only lower it until your shoulders are relaxed.

Coach's Comment

  1. Please be careful not to lift the barbell higher than shoulder height.

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

Do you want to know more about Barbell Front Raise methods?Exercise Guide

How to Smith Machine Behind Neck Press

Smith Machine Behind Neck Press gif

Smith Machine Behind Neck Press muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell above your head.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. It's an exercise that can strain your shoulders, so if you hear sounds or feel pain in your shoulders, please substitute it with another exercise.

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

Do you want to know more about Smith Machine Behind Neck Press methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Barbell Front Raise or Smith Machine Behind Neck Press?

Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Shoulder, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press work the same muscles?

Not quite. Barbell Front Raise loads front delts, and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps.

What equipment do Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press need?

Barbell Front Raise needs a barbell, and Smith Machine Behind Neck Press needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Barbell Front Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Behind Neck Press once your form holds up.

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