Smith Machine Overhead Press

The overhead press on rails, seated or standing; the bar cannot drift forward.

Smith Machine Overhead Press, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Seat or stance set so the rail path lands at the collarbones and over the shoulders.

Steps

  1. Unhook and press to lockout along the rails.
  2. Keep the ribs down.
  3. Lower to the collarbones; re-hook deliberately.

Common mistakes

Positioned so the bar path misses the shoulder line: move the SEAT until the path is right. Arching to meet the rails: position fixes what the back should not. Loose wrists: stacked.

Breathing

Exhale pressing, inhale lowering.