Dumbbell Upright Row vs Smith Machine Overhead Press

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,111 sessions vs 663. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Dumbbell Upright Row and Smith Machine Overhead Press for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Dumbbell Upright Row vs Smith Machine Overhead Press : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,111 sessions compared to 663 for Dumbbell Upright Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Dumbbell Upright Row and Smith Machine Overhead Press differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Dumbbell Upright Row and Smith Machine Overhead Press Differ

What differsDumbbell Upright RowSmith Machine Overhead Press
Muscles workedside delts and trapsfront delts, side delts, and triceps
Equipmenta dumbbella machine
Difficulty4 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users663 sessions13,111 sessions

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Not sure whether Dumbbell Upright Row or Smith Machine Overhead Press fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Dumbbell Upright Row

Dumbbell Upright Row gif

Dumbbell Upright Row muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Lift the dumbbell to shoulder height while keeping it close to your body.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. It's an exercise that can strain the 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 Dumbbell Upright Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Dumbbell Upright Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Dumbbell Upright Row methods?Exercise Guide

How to Smith Machine Overhead Press

Smith Machine Overhead Press gif

Smith Machine Overhead Press muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Lift the barbell above your head. Please lift it above your head, not in front of your body.
  2. 2. With your core engaged, slowly lower the barbell to return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. If you grip the barbell too wide, it can strain your shoulders, so please be careful.
  2. 2. If your core relaxes, it can strain your lower back, so please be careful.
  3. 3. Your entire upper body must remain tight throughout the movement.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Dumbbell Upright Row or Smith Machine Overhead Press?

Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,111 sessions against 663 for Dumbbell Upright Row. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Dumbbell Upright Row and Smith Machine Overhead Press work the same muscles?

Not quite. Dumbbell Upright Row loads side delts and traps, and Smith Machine Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps.

What equipment do Dumbbell Upright Row and Smith Machine Overhead Press need?

Dumbbell Upright Row needs a dumbbell, and Smith Machine Overhead Press needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Smith Machine Overhead Press is the easier place to start. Move to Dumbbell Upright Row once your form holds up.

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