Shoulder Press Machine vs Bent Over Lateral Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Shoulder Press Machine works multiple joints at once, Bent Over Lateral Raise isolates — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 3. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Shoulder Press Machine and Bent Over Lateral Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Shoulder Press Machine vs Bent Over 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 17,552 for Bent Over Lateral Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Shoulder Press Machine and Bent Over 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 Bent Over Lateral Raise Differ
| What differs | Shoulder Press Machine | Bent Over Lateral Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | rear delts and traps |
| Equipment | a machine | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 35,656 sessions | 17,552 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 Bent Over Lateral Raise
Bent Over Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly lift the dumbbells to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. With your palms facing down, feel the contraction of the rear shoulder muscles.
- 3. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower the dumbbells completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- Please be careful not to lift the dumbbells higher than shoulder height.
For a full Bent Over Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Bent Over Lateral Raise exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Shoulder Press Machine or Bent Over Lateral Raise?
Planfit users log Shoulder Press Machine more often — 35,656 sessions against 17,552 for Bent Over 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 Bent Over Lateral Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Shoulder Press Machine loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Bent Over Lateral Raise loads rear delts and traps.
What equipment do Shoulder Press Machine and Bent Over Lateral Raise need?
Shoulder Press Machine needs a machine, and Bent Over Lateral Raise needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Shoulder Press Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Bent Over Lateral Raise once your form holds up.
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