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Exercise guide

Push Press

How to do the Push Press with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundBarbellExpertPush
Primary muscles

Shoulders

Secondary

Quads, Triceps

Equipment

Barbell

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Push Press set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your shoulders volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More shoulders exercises

FAQ

Push Press: common questions

What muscles does the Push Press work?

The Push Press primarily works the Shoulders. It also recruits the Quads and Triceps as supporting muscles.

Is the Push Press suitable for beginners?

The Push Press is an expert-level exercise. It demands well-developed strength, mobility and technique, so it suits experienced lifters more than beginners.

What equipment do I need for the Push Press?

To do the Push Press you'll need a barbell.

Is the Push Press a compound or isolation exercise?

The Push Press is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

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