Dumbell Press or Smith Machine Shoulder Press

[Bahaa202]

Hey people,

I am starting a power/hypertrophy routine and one of the exercises for strength involves doing military presses (for 5 reps), but my gym does not have a stand for it so which would be a better replacement, dumbell shoulder presses or smith machine shoulder presses? If you can explain why the choice, that would be great.

Thanks in advance

[Bostongeorge617]

Dumbbell press. Reasons:

1. Machines rob you of stabilizing muscle development.

2. Cannot place a barbell directly over shoulders, leading to more anterior-delt emphasis. If you go behind, shoulders are in a vulnerable position.

3. Free weights are more manly, of course.

[slugger614]

Bostongeorge is spot on.... It might be good to throw in a heavy smith machine day now and then, just for the muscle shock value. Dumbells though are the preference, hands down.

[keys_10]

Dumbbell press. Reasons:

1. Machines rob you of stabilizing muscle development.

2. Cannot place a barbell directly over shoulders, leading to more anterior-delt emphasis. If you go behind, shoulders are in a vulnerable position.

3. Free weights are more manly, of course.

Completely agree with this.

I'd throw in some standing BB press as well.

[Bahaa202]

Dumbbell press. Reasons:

1. Machines rob you of stabilizing muscle development.

2. Cannot place a barbell directly over shoulders, leading to more anterior-delt emphasis. If you go behind, shoulders are in a vulnerable position.

3. Free weights are more manly, of course.

EXACTLY what I wanted to hear, nice one and thanks!

[kene4466]

Only thing I ever did on smith machine was calf raises and one arm rows, never tried shoulder press.

[SmithMachineGuy]

I like shoulder presses on the Smith Machine. I highly recommend them.

[lookingforgains]

I like shoulder presses on the Smith Machine. I highly recommend them.

strong username to topic relevance.

[starting-big]

i do smith as a warm up then DB presses

[That70sShowDude]

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

by far