Leverage Shoulder Press

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

Leverage Shoulder Press: finishing position

Main muscles: Shoulders
Also works: Triceps
Equipment: Machine
Level: Beginner
Type: Compound
Movement: Push

How to do the Leverage Shoulder Press

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.

Sets and reps

Strength	3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, rest 2–3 minutes
Muscle	3–4 sets of 6–10 reps, rest about 2 minutes
Endurance or fat loss	2–3 sets of 12–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds

Log every set in MyoStats and it works out your estimated one-rep max and suggests the next weight or rep target, so you keep progressing without guessing.

Alternatives to the Leverage Shoulder Press

Questions

What muscles does the Leverage Shoulder Press work?

Mainly the shoulders, with the triceps helping.

Is the Leverage Shoulder Press good for beginners?

Yes. It's rated a beginner exercise: start light and learn the movement before adding weight.

What can I do instead of the Leverage Shoulder Press?

Good alternatives that train the shoulders: Machine Shoulder (Military) Press, Smith Machine One-Arm Upright Row, Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press or Reverse Machine Flyes.

How many sets and reps of the Leverage Shoulder Press should I do?

Strength: 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, rest 2–3 minutes. Muscle: 3–4 sets of 6–10 reps, rest about 2 minutes. Endurance or fat loss: 2–3 sets of 12–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds.

Exercise steps and photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).