Seated Overhead Press vs Smith Machine Overhead Press

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,111 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 Smith Machine Overhead Press for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Overhead Press 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 1,486 for Seated Overhead Press.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Overhead Press 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 Seated Overhead Press and Smith Machine Overhead Press Differ

What differsSeated Overhead PressSmith Machine Overhead Press
Equipmenta barbella machine
Difficulty5 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,486 sessions13,111 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 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, Seated Overhead Press or Smith Machine Overhead Press?

Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,111 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.

What equipment do Seated Overhead Press and Smith Machine Overhead Press need?

Seated Overhead Press needs a barbell, 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 Seated Overhead Press once your form holds up.

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