Standing Shoulder Press vs Seated Shoulder Press
Are Standing Exercises Better For You?
On today’s episode of Live Lean TV, I’m discussing standing vs seated exercises and comparing the benefits of the standing shoulder press vs seated shoulder press exercise.
But first, if you are new, and ready to Live Lean and sexy, 365 days a year, click here to subscribe to our Live Lean TV YouTube channel.
Also, before reading any further, I want you to scroll to the comment section below, and give me your answer to the following question:
- Do you perform more exercises standing up or sitting down?
And while you’re down there, click the social media buttons to share this video post with your friends.
Advertisement
Ok, cool.
Let’s get into it.
Are standing or seated exercises more effective in helping you Live Lean?
In this post, I’m going to share if one way is better than the other, and which method will ultimately help you Live Lean faster.
Seated Barbell Shoulder Press
Standing Barbell Shoulder Press
Standing Shoulder Press vs Seated Shoulder Press
First of all, your body and muscles are meant to work as one unit.
For example, when you’re standing up and lifting something over your head, like an overhead barbell shoulder press, the lower back is pulled in to help support and stabilize the movement.
This means the lower back strengthens along with your shoulders during the standing barbell shoulder press.
However, when you’re seated on an incline bench, your back is supported by the bench, so your lower back doesn’t need to work as hard.
Essentially this means your body is no longer working synergistically together as one unit.
Same thing goes for the barbell back squat vs seated leg press.
Barbell Back Squat
Seated Leg Press
Does this mean standing lifts are more effective in Living Lean?
In my opinion, when comparing the standing barbell shoulder press vs seated barbell shoulder press, standing lifts helps create an overall stronger unit, and a more injury proofed body.
Most people, due to poor posture and lifestyle habits, have very weak core strength and lack lower back strength.
Even if you’re a bodybuilder training mainly for size, you can really build good mass in the posterior chain, a.k.a. the muscles on the back of your body, with standing lifts.
Do you feel lower back pain during the standing barbell shoulder press?
If you feel lower back pain when doing the standing barbell shoulder press, or any other standing lift, you should definitely talk to a health professional.
It’s important to find the cause of the issue and then find the solution to strengthen it.
In other words, work with a professional and fix the problem.
Don’t be one of those people that just says, “I can’t do squats or deadlifts”.
Erase “can’t” out of your vocabulary.
Seek professional help and address the cause of the pain.
This is more important than just putting a band aid over the symptom by skipping the exercises that are the most beneficial for strengthening your weak links.
In this case, those weak links being your core and lower back.
Standing lifts are the foundational movements of Living Lean
Standing lifts like the barbell shoulder press, barbell back squat, and the barbell deadlift are foundational movements of Living Lean.
These exercises are foundational to Living Lean because they:
- burn the most calories
- induce the greatest fat burning hormonal response
- maximize the afterburn effect so you burn even more calories while you sleep
You know I have a full 6 week workout program that creates that exact hyper calorie burning response in your body right?
Click here to get Live Lean Afterburn 2.0.
Lastly, trained professionals can also recommend alternative exercises that are just as effective as squats and deadlifts, but easier on the lower back.
Safety Squat Bar
An alternative to regular barbell back squats would be using a Safety Squat Bar.
This safety squat bar allows you to get deeper into the squat, while still keeping your back upright.
This places less stress and torque on the knees, lower back, and ultimately your lower vertebrae.
Advertisement
Trap Bar
Another alternative is a Trap Bar.
This is a special diamond shaped bar where you stand inside of it.
I used to say you know you’re doing barbell deadlifts right if your shins are bloody.
Well with this bar, you’ll avoid bloody shins and have better balance.
It also allows you to keep a more upright posture meaning you’ll have less force on the spine.
Bottom line on standing shoulder press vs seated shoulder press exercise
Focus on more standing exercises like the standing barbell shoulder press, squats and deadlifts.
If you have previous injuries, seek help, treat the symptom, and prevent it from happening again.
Follow me @BradGouthro on Twitter
For more daily nutrition and fitness tips, be sure to follow the thousands of other Live Leaners that follow me on Twitter.
It’s all about our transformation 1,000,000 mission, where we helping you eat better food and moving your body more effectively.
You can do it.
In my next video post, I’ll be back talking about my thoughts on exercise swiss ball training, as well as sharing a few innovative swiss ball exercises.
READY TO BEGIN YOUR LIVE LEAN JOURNEY?
Start by taking our FREE Live Lean Body Quiz to get access to the best program specific to your goals, current fitness level, and access to equipment.
Take the Free Live Lean Body Quiz
Did you enjoy this post on the standing shoulder press vs seated shoulder press exercise?
If you enjoyed this post on the standing shoulder press vs seated shoulder press exercise, please support this blog, by clicking the social media buttons to share this with your friends.
Subscribe to our Live Lean TV YouTube channel and leave a comment below on what you want to see in future posts.
Question For You:
- Do you currently do more of your lifts standing up or seated?
Be sure to share your answers in the comment section below.
Check out our free workout videos here.
Check out my free recipe cooking videos here.
[wd_hustle_cc id=”team-live-lean”]
Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.
Great video!!
I think sitting allows to focus on the part of your body you whant to work. But standing is better if you wann lose weight in general.
Standing, for sure
Standing
standing
Standing?
standing!
0:45
Yeah, don’t get mad at me but… I don’t squat. LOL
I believe standing would be better because it would use more muscles..?
Awesome post, Brad!
Some people insist on sitting in order to super-isolate certain muscles such as the delts for Arnolds or dumbbell flies. Perfectly valid and I even use that in my “gain” plan, but I always prescribe standing exercises first like Military Press or squats to really push some heavy weight, not to mention working the core like you said. With standing exercises, you can use your torso and even legs to help you do a few more “cheat reps” but only after you’ve done a full set of perfect form reps.
I guess I feel standing is more effective, that’s just my guess.
I have been standing to do all of my exercises I can do staring for more years than I can count! 🙂 I started to help me just keep moving thru my workout & I knew it would not only burn a few extra calories BUT make me focus on form & posture & core. 🙂
Standing, absolutely! Works MAJOR muscle groups AND strengthens the core. As for feeling it in your back – like you said, make sure you’re not injured/have an underlying problem. Then it’s time to focus on the core. Strong core = stronger back.
Thanks Brad! I generally prefer standing.
Standing is always better
why did i discover your channel just now?? glad I did!
I would guess standing, more muscles are required to stabilize
Hello sir… I’m just wondering what exercise is good to lose belly fats that is suitable fr teenagers.. thank you…
ive also message you…. 🙂
Definitely standing because you are also use your core 🙂
I have bulged disks in my lower back so I do standing squats with light weight and a full range of motion (butt to the floor) and use the seated press to work heavy.
Thanks brad!!
I say standing
Standing DUHH
Can’t the real C word
I think standing would be better.
Yeah, I really do like your cool shirt! 🙂
Thanks again for the excellent information!!!