Overhead Press Vs. Bench Press: Which Exercise Targets More Muscles? The Ultimate Showdown

The overhead press and bench press are two of the most popular exercises in weightlifting. Both exercises are great for building upper body strength, but they target different muscle groups. In this blog post, we will compare the overhead press and bench press in terms of the muscles worked.

Deltoids

The deltoids are the muscles that make up the shoulders. The overhead press is a great exercise for targeting all three heads of the deltoids: the anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (rear) deltoids. The bench press, on the other hand, primarily targets the anterior deltoids.

Triceps

The triceps are the muscles at the back of the upper arm. Both the overhead press and bench press target the triceps, but the overhead press places more emphasis on the triceps. This is because the overhead press requires you to extend your elbows against resistance, while the bench press allows you to use your chest to help you press the weight.

Pectorals

The pectorals are the muscles that make up the chest. The bench press is a great exercise for targeting all three heads of the pectorals: the upper, middle, and lower pectorals. The overhead press, on the other hand, does not target the pectorals directly.

Core

The core is the group of muscles that stabilizes the spine and pelvis. Both the overhead press and bench press require you to engage your core to keep your body stable. However, the overhead press places more emphasis on the core than the bench press. This is because the overhead press requires you to balance the weight overhead, which activates the muscles in your core.

Upper Back

The upper back is the group of muscles that runs from the base of the neck to the lower back. The overhead press is a great exercise for targeting the upper back, especially the trapezius and rhomboids. The bench press, on the other hand, does not target the upper back directly.

Biceps

The biceps are the muscles at the front of the upper arm. The overhead press does not target the biceps directly, but it can help to indirectly strengthen the biceps by working the triceps. The bench press, on the other hand, does not target the biceps at all.

Forearms

The forearms are the group of muscles that runs from the elbow to the wrist. Both the overhead press and bench press can help to strengthen the forearms, but the overhead press places more emphasis on the forearms. This is because the overhead press requires you to grip the weight overhead, which activates the muscles in your forearms.

Which Exercise Is Better?

The overhead press and bench press are both great exercises for building upper body strength. However, the overhead press is a more complete exercise that targets more muscle groups than the bench press. If you are looking for an exercise that will work your shoulders, triceps, core, and upper back, then the overhead press is a great choice. If you are looking for an exercise that will primarily target your chest, then the bench press is a good option.

Key Points: Overhead Press vs Bench Press Muscles Worked

The overhead press and bench press are two of the most popular exercises in weightlifting. Both exercises are great for building upper body strength, but they target different muscle groups. The overhead press is a more complete exercise that targets more muscle groups than the bench press. If you are looking for an exercise that will work your shoulders, triceps, core, and upper back, then the overhead press is a great choice. If you are looking for an exercise that will primarily target your chest, then the bench press is a good option.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q: Which exercise is better for building overall upper body strength?

A: The overhead press is a more complete exercise that targets more muscle groups than the bench press. Therefore, the overhead press is better for building overall upper body strength.

Q: Which exercise is better for targeting the chest?

A: The bench press is a better exercise for targeting the chest than the overhead press. This is because the bench press allows you to use your chest to help you press the weight.

Q: Which exercise is better for targeting the shoulders?

A: The overhead press is a better exercise for targeting the shoulders than the bench press. This is because the overhead press requires you to use your shoulders to lift the weight overhead.