Lever Reclined Shoulder Press
The Lever Reclined Shoulder Press primarily works the Anterior Deltoid, with secondary activation of the Brachialis, Lateral Deltoid, Serratus Anterior, Supraspinatus, Trapezius (Lower), Trapezius (Middle), Triceps (Long Head) and stabilizer support from the Biceps Brachii (Long Head), Levator Scapulae, Trapezius (Upper). It is a machine compound exercise at beginner difficulty.
The Lever Reclined Shoulder Press is a beginner compound exercise performed with machine, following a vertical push movement pattern. It primarily targets the Anterior Deltoid, with secondary engagement of the Brachialis, Lateral Deltoid, Serratus Anterior, Supraspinatus, Trapezius (Lower), Trapezius (Middle), Triceps (Long Head). This is a bilateral pushing movement, meaning both sides work together to generate force.
A machine compound push exercise targeting the Anterior Deltoid.
| Equipment | Machine |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Type | Compound |
| Movement | Vertical Push |
| Force | Push |
| Laterality | Bilateral |
| Primary | Anterior Deltoid |
| Secondary | Brachialis, Lateral Deltoid, Serratus Anterior, Supraspinatus, Trapezius (Lower), Trapezius (Middle), Triceps (Long Head) |
Muscles Worked
The Anterior Deltoid is the primary mover, taking on the bulk of the workload throughout the full range of motion. The Brachialis, Lateral Deltoid, Serratus Anterior, Supraspinatus, Trapezius (Lower), Trapezius (Middle), and Triceps (Long Head) act as secondary movers, assisting the primary muscles and contributing meaningfully to the overall output. The Biceps Brachii (Long Head), Levator Scapulae, Trapezius (Upper) act as stabilizers, maintaining joint position and postural alignment throughout the movement.
Primary Muscles
- Primary Muscle Anterior Deltoid (shoulders)
Secondary Muscles
- Secondary Muscle Brachialis (biceps)
- Secondary Muscle Lateral Deltoid (shoulders)
- Secondary Muscle Serratus Anterior (chest)
- Secondary Muscle Supraspinatus (back)
- Secondary Muscle Trapezius (Lower) (back)
- Secondary Muscle Trapezius (Middle) (back)
- Secondary Muscle Triceps (Long Head) (triceps)
Stabilizer Muscles
- Stabilizer Muscle Biceps Brachii (Long Head) (biceps)
- Stabilizer Muscle Levator Scapulae (neck)
- Stabilizer Muscle Trapezius (Upper) (back)
How to Perform
Preparation
- Lie on back pad facing up.
- Grasp lever handles to each side with overhand grip.
Execution
- Press lever until arms are extended.
- Lower and repeat.
Comments
- Range of motion will be compromised if grip istoo wide.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Keep your core tight and avoid excessive lumbar extension to protect your lower back.
- Don't fully lock out your elbows at the top — maintain a slight bend for joint safety.
- Control the eccentric phase; lowering slowly builds more strength over time.
Programming Suggestions
Adapt your sets and reps to your training goal. As a beginner-friendly exercise, start with lighter loads and focus on form before progressing weight.
| Strength | 3–5 sets × 3–6 reps at 80–90% 1RM with 2–4 minutes rest. |
|---|---|
| Hypertrophy | 3–5 sets × 6–12 reps at 65–80% 1RM with 60–120 seconds rest. |
| Endurance | 2–4 sets × 15–20 reps at 50–65% 1RM with 30–60 seconds rest. |
Alternative Exercises
These exercises target the same primary muscles (Anterior Deltoid) and can be substituted based on your equipment or variation preferences.
Get this data via the REST API or MCP Server.