Smith Machine Overhead Press vs Pike Push Up

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,000 sessions vs 231. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Overhead Press and Pike Push Up for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Overhead Press vs Pike Push Up : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,000 sessions compared to 231 for Pike Push Up.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Overhead Press and Pike Push Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Smith Machine Overhead Press and Pike Push Up Differ

What differsSmith Machine Overhead PressPike Push Up
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsfront delts, chest, and triceps
Equipmenta machinebodyweight only
Difficulty3 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users13,000 sessions231 sessions

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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

How to Pike Push Up

Pike Push Up gif

Pike Push Up muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lower yourself slowly until your head touches the floor.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. This is a more advanced exercise than a regular push-up. If you overexert yourself, it can put strain on your neck or the front of your shoulders.
  2. 2. Be careful not to excessively arch your lower back or bend your neck during the movement. If the exercise is too difficult, keep your feet on the floor or substitute with another shoulder exercise.

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

Do you want to know more about Pike Push Up methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Smith Machine Overhead Press or Pike Push Up?

Planfit users log Smith Machine Overhead Press more often — 13,000 sessions against 231 for Pike Push Up. 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 Pike Push Up work the same muscles?

Not quite. Smith Machine Overhead Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Pike Push Up loads front delts, chest, and triceps.

What equipment do Smith Machine Overhead Press and Pike Push Up need?

Smith Machine Overhead Press needs a machine, and Pike Push Up needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Smith Machine Overhead Press is the easier place to start. Move to Pike Push Up once your form holds up.

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