Overhead Press
Movement demo
Watch a video demonstration of this exercise on MuscleWiki. The demo opens on an external site.
Muscles worked
Effectiveness
★★★☆☆ 3/5
Acute EMG studies report high anterior and medial deltoid activation during barbell and dumbbell shoulder presses across body positions. No longitudinal hypertrophy trials specific to the overhead press were identified, and EMG amplitude does not establish growth.
Note on this rating: it leans on EMG studies, which measure muscle activation during the movement. EMG amplitude does not establish muscle growth.
How to perform
The lifter presses a barbell from the shoulders to full overhead extension, either standing or seated. The deltoids are the primary movers, with the triceps brachii assisting elbow extension and the upper pectorals contributing near the bottom of the movement. It is a bilateral compound pressing movement in the vertical plane.