Seated Overhead Press vs Barbell Front Raise

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 Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Front Raise for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Overhead Press vs Barbell Front Raise : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Overhead Press more often — 1,486 sessions compared to 1,357 for Barbell Front Raise.

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

How Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Front Raise Differ

What differsSeated Overhead PressBarbell Front Raise
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsfront delts
Difficulty5 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,486 sessions1,357 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Seated Overhead Press or Barbell Front Raise fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Seated Overhead Press

Seated Overhead Press gif

Seated 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 may strain your shoulders, so please be careful.
  2. 2. If your core relaxes, it may 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 Seated Overhead Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Overhead Press Guide page of our blog!

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Seated Overhead Press or Barbell Front 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 Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Front Raise work the same muscles?

Not quite. Seated Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Barbell Front Raise loads front delts.

What equipment do Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Front Raise need?

Seated Overhead Press needs a barbell, and Barbell Front Raise needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Barbell Front Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Seated Overhead Press once your form holds up.

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