Your Cart is Empty
An overhead press is a type of strength training exercise that requires you to lift a weight or resistance band up over your head and then lower it back down again. By using an overhead press you can increase your overall strength without having to lift heavy weights. It’s a great way to build muscle, improve power and gain stability in your shoulders and core.
Shop The Collection: Smith MachinesDoing overhead press exercises can help you to increase your overall strength, especially if you are looking to build muscle mass. This exercise helps to target the deltoid muscles in your shoulders and your triceps, as well as strengthening your core.
Shop The Gear: Altas AL-3059 All-in-One Functional Smith Trainer, $2,649.99 USD
It also helps to improve your posture, as it strengthens the muscles in the upper back which help to support your spine. In addition, because you are lifting your arms up above your head, it helps to open up the chest muscles which can improve your breathing capacity.
Shop The Collection: DumbbellsOverhead press exercises are also good for improving coordination and balance, as well as joint mobility in the shoulder area. This makes it a great choice for athletes who need to have a strong, stable upper body.
Shop The Gear: CAP Barbell Neoprene Dumbbells, from $1.99 USD
When doing an overhead press exercise, it’s important to make sure you use correct form and technique. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms bent at the elbows. You should hold the weight or resistance band with your palms facing forward, and your wrists in line with your elbows.
Then, keeping your back straight, push the weight or band up towards the ceiling. Make sure you keep your elbows tucked in close to your body as you do this. Once your arms are fully extended, pause for a few seconds before slowly lowering the weight or band back down to the starting position.
You can vary your form slightly depending on which muscles you want to target. For example, if you want to focus more on your triceps, you can press the weight or band outwards instead of directly up towards the ceiling. If you want to focus more on the deltoids, you can slightly lean backwards when pushing the weight or band upwards.
It’s also important to make sure you don’t overextend your elbows when pressing up, as this can cause strain and injury. Also, make sure you breathe in as you lower the weight or band, and breathe out as you press up.
One of the most important tips for doing overhead press exercises is to start with lighter weights and gradually increase the weight as you become stronger. This will help prevent injuries, as well as helping you to build up muscle slowly and safely. It’s also a good idea to use a spotter when doing heavier weights, so they can help you to stay in control and maintain proper form.
Another tip is to focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together as you press up. This helps to engage the muscles in your back, as well as stabilizing your body. You can also try different variations of the exercise, such as changing the grip or using one arm at a time.
Finally, make sure you take regular breaks between sets and always warm up beforehand. Warming up will help to prepare your muscles for the exercise, and taking regular breaks will help to avoid fatigue and injury.
Overhead press exercises are a great way to increase your strength without having to lift heavy weights. They can help to target the deltoid muscles in your shoulders and triceps, as well as strengthening your core and improving your posture. When doing overhead press exercises, it’s important to make sure you use correct form and technique, start with lighter weights and warm up before each session.
