Shoulders exercise · smith machine
Smith Standing Military Press
The smith standing military press is a smith machine exercise that targets the shoulders (deltoids), with the triceps and upper back assisting.
- Target muscle
- Delts
- Also works
- Triceps, upper back
- Equipment
- Smith machine
- Body part
- Shoulders
How to do the smith standing military press
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lift the barbell off the rack and bring it down to shoulder level, with your palms facing forward.
- Press the barbell upward until your arms are fully extended overhead.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back down to shoulder level.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps
For muscle growth, 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps with 60–90 seconds of rest is a proven starting point. For strength, use a heavier weight for 3–5 sets of 3–6 reps and rest 2–3 minutes. Add a little weight once you hit the top of your rep range on every set.
Muscles worked
The main muscle is the shoulders (deltoids). The triceps and upper back work as secondary muscles. See all shoulder exercises or every smith machine exercise.
