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Machine Shoulder (Military) Press

Machine Shoulder (Military) Press is a beginner compound machine exercise that mainly works your shoulders, with help from your triceps.

💪 Shoulders🏋️ Machine📈 Beginner🔗 Compound🎯 3-5 sets of 5-10 reps
Machine Shoulder (Military) Press: starting position
Starting position
Machine Shoulder (Military) Press: end position
End position

How to do the machine shoulder (military) press

  1. Sit down on the Shoulder Press Machine and select the weight.
  2. Grab the handles to your sides as you keep the elbows bent and in line with your torso. This will be your starting position.
  3. Now lift the handles as you exhale and you extend the arms fully. At the top of the position make sure that you hold the contraction for a second.
  4. Lower the handles slowly back to the starting position as you inhale.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Primary: ShouldersSecondary: Triceps

Sets and reps

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

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Machine Shoulder (Military) Press alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.

Face PullCable · IntermediateOverhead PressBarbell · BeginnerCuban PressDumbbell · IntermediateLeverage Shoulder PressMachine · BeginnerBattling RopesOther · BeginnerHandstand Push-UpsBodyweight · Expert

FAQ

What muscles does the machine shoulder (military) press work?

It mainly works your shoulders; your triceps assist.

How many sets and reps of machine shoulder (military) press should I do?

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

Is the machine shoulder (military) press good for beginners?

Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.

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