Machine Shoulder Press primarily works the shoulders and triceps. It is categorized as a push movement and uses Machine.
- Primary muscles
- shoulders and triceps
- Equipment
- Machine
- Movement pattern
- push
- Catalog difficulty
- 2 of 5
How to do Machine Shoulder Press
- Handles at ear height, back against pad
- Press up without arching off the seat
- Lower until elbows are roughly level with shoulders
Common mistakes
- Pressing in front of the face — stack wrists over elbows
Muscles worked
The primary catalog target is shoulders, with triceps also involved. Exercise feel varies with setup, range of motion, and individual anatomy.
Related exercises and substitutions
A useful substitute should preserve the job this movement has in the session—not merely train a nearby body part. Explore the related Movviva guides below, then compare pattern, target muscles, available equipment, and difficulty.
Overhead Press (DB) · Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press · Push Press · Battle Rope Slam · Landmine Press · Half-Kneeling Landmine Press
Put Machine Shoulder Press into a plan that adapts.
Movviva builds strength, mobility, and conditioning around your goal, schedule, equipment, and completed training—then gives you the next workout with guided targets and smart swaps.