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Lever Military Press
A machine overhead press with a fixed vertical path, useful for loading the delts heavily without balancing a free bar.
ShouldersMachineVertical press
GoLightWeight medialever-military-press
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Anterior deltoidsMedial deltoids
Secondary
TricepsUpper trapeziusSerratus anterior
Equipment
Machine
Pattern
Vertical press
Setup
- 01Set the seat so the handles start at about shoulder height.
- 02Sit with the back against the pad and feet planted.
- 03Grip the handles slightly wider than shoulder width.
- 04Pull the shoulder blades down before the first press.
Execution
- 01Brace and press the handles up until the elbows lock.
- 02Keep the head neutral as the handles pass the face.
- 03Lower under control until the handles reach shoulder level.
- 04Reverse without bouncing out of the bottom.
Checkpoints
- -Lower back stays against the pad without excessive arch.
- -Handles start level with the shoulders, not the ears.
- -Elbows track under the wrists through the press.
- -Each rep reaches full lockout.
Common mistakes
- -Setting the seat too high and cutting the range short.
- -Arching off the pad to press heavier loads.
- -Flaring the elbows straight out to the sides.
- -Slamming the stack between reps.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps for strength-focused work.
- -Use 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps for hypertrophy volume.
- -A good heavy option when free-weight overhead pressing is limited by balance or fatigue.
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