Shoulder Press Machine vs Cable Lateral Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Shoulder Press Machine works multiple joints at once, Cable Lateral Raise isolates — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 2. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Shoulder Press Machine and Cable Lateral Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Shoulder Press Machine vs Cable Lateral Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Shoulder Press Machine more often — 35,656 sessions compared to 4,441 for Cable Lateral Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Shoulder Press Machine and Cable Lateral Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Shoulder Press Machine and Cable Lateral Raise Differ
| What differs | Shoulder Press Machine | Cable Lateral Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | side delts |
| Machine type | pin-loaded | cable-driven |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 35,656 sessions | 4,441 sessions |
How to Do Shoulder Press Machine
Shoulder Press Machine Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please lift the weight vertically.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you feel pain in your shoulder or hear a sound, change your grip so that your elbows are positioned in front of your body.
- 2. If the pain continues despite this, lower the weight or stop the exercise.
- 3. Brace your abs and keep your torso stable so that your lower back does not arch.
For a full Shoulder Press Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Shoulder Press Machine exercise guide.
How to Do Cable Lateral Raise
Cable Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly lift your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. Make sure the palms of your hands are facing the floor or towards the front of your body.
- 3. Slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower your arms completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to raise your hands higher than shoulder level.
- 2. If your palms are facing behind your body, it may cause shoulder pain, so please keep them facing the floor or in front of your body.
For a full Cable Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Lateral Raise exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Shoulder Press Machine or Cable Lateral Raise?
Planfit users log Shoulder Press Machine more often — 35,656 sessions against 4,441 for Cable Lateral Raise. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Shoulder Press Machine and Cable Lateral Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Shoulder Press Machine loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Cable Lateral Raise loads side delts.
What equipment do Shoulder Press Machine and Cable Lateral Raise need?
Shoulder Press Machine needs a machine, and Cable Lateral Raise needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Shoulder Press Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Cable Lateral Raise once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
