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Lever One Arm Shoulder Press

A unilateral machine shoulder press that trains each delt independently, exposing and correcting side-to-side strength imbalances.

ShouldersMachineVertical press
GoLightWeight medialever-one-arm-shoulder-press

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Anterior deltoidsMedial deltoids

Secondary

TricepsCoreUpper trapezius

Equipment

Machine

Pattern

Vertical press

Setup

  1. 01Set the seat so the handle starts at shoulder height.
  2. 02Sit with the back on the pad and grip one handle.
  3. 03Hold the frame or seat with the free hand for light support.
  4. 04Brace the trunk so the torso does not tilt.

Execution

  1. 01Press the handle overhead with one arm until the elbow locks.
  2. 02Keep the torso square while the single-side load pulls you sideways.
  3. 03Lower under control back to shoulder height.
  4. 04Finish all reps, then switch arms.

Checkpoints

  • -Shoulders stay level throughout the set.
  • -The working elbow tracks under the wrist.
  • -The trunk resists the lateral pull of the load.
  • -Rep count and load match on both sides over time.

Common mistakes

  • -Leaning away from the working arm to gain leverage.
  • -Hanging on the free handle and twisting the torso.
  • -Cutting range at the bottom.
  • -Always starting with the strong arm.

Programming notes

  • -Use 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps per arm.
  • -Start each set with the weaker arm and match reps with the stronger one.
  • -Useful as an accessory after bilateral pressing to even out imbalances.

Related exercises

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