Smith Machine Overhead Press vs Cable Front Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Smith Machine Overhead Press works multiple joints at once, Cable Front Raise isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 2. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Smith Machine Overhead Press and Cable Front Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Smith Machine Overhead Press vs Cable Front Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,000 sessions compared to 3,187 for Cable Front Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Smith Machine Overhead Press and Cable Front Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Smith Machine Overhead Press and Cable Front Raise Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Overhead Press | Cable Front Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | front delts |
| Machine type | Smith-machine | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 13,000 sessions | 3,187 sessions |
How to Do Smith Machine Overhead Press
Smith Machine Overhead Press Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Lift the barbell above your head. Please lift it above your head, not in front of your body.
- 2. With your core engaged, slowly lower the barbell to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you grip the barbell too wide, it can strain your shoulders, so please be careful.
- 2. If your core relaxes, it can strain your lower back, so please be careful.
- 3. Your entire upper body must remain tight throughout the movement.
For a full Smith Machine Overhead Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Smith Machine Overhead Press exercise guide.
How to Do Cable Front Raise
Cable Front Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly raise your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. Slowly lower your arms to return to the starting position.
- 3. However, do not lower your arms completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- Please be careful not to raise your hands higher than shoulder level.
For a full Cable Front Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Front Raise exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Smith Machine Overhead Press or Cable Front Raise?
Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,000 sessions against 3,187 for Cable Front Raise. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Smith Machine Overhead Press and Cable Front Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Smith Machine Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Cable Front Raise loads front delts.
What equipment do Smith Machine Overhead Press and Cable Front Raise need?
Smith Machine Overhead Press needs a machine, and Cable Front Raise needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Cable Front Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Overhead Press once your form holds up.
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