Leverage Shoulder Press

A beginner strength exercise for the shoulders and triceps, done with a gym machine.

Movement guide

Leverage Shoulder Press

Demand · source-assignedEasy (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredStrength machine

Muscle focusShoulders · Triceps

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

This is already one of the gentlest options for these muscles.

This move

Leverage Shoulder Press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoLeverage Shoulder PressBeginner · Strength machine

Beginner grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Alternating cable shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating cable shoulder pressIntermediate · A cable machine

Similar move, intermediate grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

Load an appropriate weight onto the pins and adjust the seat for your height. The handles should be near the top of the shoulders at the beginning of the motion. Your chest and head should be up and handles held with a pronated grip. This will be your starting position.
Press the handles upward by extending through the elbow.
After a brief pause at the top, return the weight to just above the start position, keeping tension on the muscles by not returning the weight to the stops until the set is complete.

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

Add to a routine Log a session

Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders. Also: Triceps.

Equipment

Strength machine

Level

Beginner (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Machine shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoMachine shoulder pressBeginner · Strength machine

One-arm dumbbell shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoOne-arm dumbbell shoulder pressIntermediate · A dumbbell

Seated barbell shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated barbell shoulder pressIntermediate · A barbell + A bench or box

Seated cable shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated cable shoulder pressBeginner · A cable machine + A bench or box

Seated dumbbell shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated dumbbell shoulder pressIntermediate · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Smith machine shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSmith machine shoulder pressBeginner · Strength machine + A bench or box

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Leverage Shoulder Press work?

Mainly the shoulders, with help from the triceps.

What equipment do I need for the Leverage Shoulder Press?

Strength machine.

Is the Leverage Shoulder Press good for beginners?

It is graded beginner, so it suits most people starting out. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. When it feels easy, try the Alternating cable shoulder press.

How do I make the Leverage Shoulder Press harder?

Progress to the Alternating cable shoulder press, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.