Overhead Press vs Bent Over Lateral Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Overhead Press works multiple joints at once, Bent Over Lateral Raise isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 3. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Overhead Press and Bent Over Lateral Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Overhead Press vs Bent Over Lateral Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bent Over Lateral Raise more often — 17,552 sessions compared to 17,150 for Overhead Press.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Overhead Press and Bent Over Lateral Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Overhead Press and Bent Over Lateral Raise Differ
| What differs | Overhead Press | Bent Over Lateral Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | rear delts and traps |
| Equipment | a barbell | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 17,150 sessions | 17,552 sessions |
How to Do Overhead Press
Overhead Press Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Lift the barbell above your head. Please lift it above your head, not in front of your body.
- 2. With your hips and core engaged, slowly lower the barbell to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you grip the barbell too wide, it can put strain on your shoulders, so please be careful.
- 2. If your hips and core lose tension, it can put strain on your lower back, so please be careful.
- 3. Your entire upper body must remain tight throughout the movement.
For a full Overhead Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Overhead Press exercise guide.
How to Do Bent Over Lateral Raise
Bent Over Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly lift the dumbbells to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. With your palms facing down, feel the contraction of the rear shoulder muscles.
- 3. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower the dumbbells completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- Please be careful not to lift the dumbbells higher than shoulder height.
For a full Bent Over Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Bent Over Lateral Raise exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Overhead Press or Bent Over Lateral Raise?
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 Overhead Press and Bent Over Lateral Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Bent Over Lateral Raise loads rear delts and traps.
What equipment do Overhead Press and Bent Over Lateral Raise need?
Overhead Press needs a barbell, and Bent Over Lateral Raise needs a dumbbell.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
