Seated Overhead Press vs Smith Machine Shrug

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Seated Overhead Press more often — 1,486 sessions vs 228. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Seated Overhead Press and Smith Machine Shrug for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Overhead Press vs Smith Machine Shrug : 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 228 for Smith Machine Shrug.

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

What differsSeated Overhead PressSmith Machine Shrug
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepstraps
Equipmenta barbella machine
Difficulty5 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,486 sessions228 sessions

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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 Shrug

Smith Machine Shrug gif

Smith Machine Shrug muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please shrug your shoulders and lift the barbell.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. When lowering the barbell, it should be done slowly rather than just dropping it.
  2. 2. Please ensure that the neck does not extend excessively forward.

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

Do you want to know more about Smith Machine Shrug methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Seated Overhead Press or Smith Machine Shrug?

Planfit users log Seated Overhead Press more often — 1,486 sessions against 228 for Smith Machine Shrug. 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 Smith Machine Shrug work the same muscles?

Not quite. Seated Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Smith Machine Shrug loads traps.

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

Seated Overhead Press needs a barbell, and Smith Machine Shrug needs a machine.

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