The more you lean back when doing pressing exercises, the more the front of your shoulder muscles do the work instead of your chest — and when you're standing straight up, your front shoulders are working the hardest.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (3)
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The study shows that when you press overhead with your arms behind your head (more upright), your front shoulder muscles work harder, while your chest works more when pressing in front. This supports the idea that more upright presses shift effort from chest to shoulders.
The study shows that the more you lean back during a bench press, the more your front shoulder muscle works and the less your chest muscle works, which supports the idea that upright pressing targets the front shoulder more.
Shoulder Muscle Activation of Novice and Resistance Trained Women during Variations of Dumbbell Press Exercises
The study found that the front shoulder muscle works harder when you press with your arms overhead, while the chest muscle works more when you press while lying down. This matches the claim.
Contradicting (0)
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