Seated Overhead Press vs Barbell Upright Row

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Upright Row more often — 4,261 sessions vs 1,486. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Upright Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Overhead Press vs Barbell Upright Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Upright Row more often — 4,261 sessions compared to 1,486 for Seated Overhead Press.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Upright Row 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 Upright Row Differ

What differsSeated Overhead PressBarbell Upright Row
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsside delts and traps
Difficulty5 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,486 sessions4,261 sessions

Related comparisons

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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 Upright Row

Barbell Upright Row gif

Barbell Upright Row muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell to shoulder height while keeping it close to your body.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. Since this exercise can put strain on the shoulders, please substitute it with another exercise if you hear any sounds or feel pain in your shoulders.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Seated Overhead Press or Barbell Upright Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Upright Row more often — 4,261 sessions against 1,486 for Seated Overhead Press. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Upright Row work the same muscles?

Not quite. Seated Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Barbell Upright Row loads side delts and traps.

What equipment do Seated Overhead Press and Barbell Upright Row need?

Seated Overhead Press needs a barbell, and Barbell Upright Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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