Seated Overhead Press vs Face Pull

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,316 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 Face Pull for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Overhead Press vs Face Pull : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,316 sessions compared to 1,486 for Seated Overhead Press.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Overhead Press and Face Pull 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 Face Pull Differ

What differsSeated Overhead PressFace Pull
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsrear delts, biceps, and traps
Equipmenta barbella machine
Difficulty5 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,486 sessions12,316 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 Face Pull

Face Pull gif

Face Pull muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the grip up towards your ear.
  2. 2. When pulling, make sure not to excessively fold your scapula.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. If you excessively fold your wings, the trapezius muscle will be used instead of the rear shoulder, so please be careful.

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

Do you want to know more about Face Pull methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Seated Overhead Press or Face Pull?

Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,316 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 Face Pull work the same muscles?

Not quite. Seated Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Face Pull loads rear delts, biceps, and traps.

What equipment do Seated Overhead Press and Face Pull need?

Seated Overhead Press needs a barbell, and Face Pull needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Face Pull is the easier place to start. Move to Seated Overhead Press once your form holds up.

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