Secure the Smith machine’s safety pins so that the bar can’t drop and injure you.
Stand under the bar and grasp it using a pronated (overhand) grip that is a little wider than shoulder width.
Unlatch the bar from the rail by rotating it.
Execution
Exhale as you press the bar upward until your arms are almost fully extended.
Inhale as you reverse the motion and lower the bar to your upper chest.
Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.
Rotate the bar to latch it back onto the rail.
Comments and tips
Keep your body still and your head facing forward; don’t look up.
Keep your elbows a little forward and not directly out to the sides. This promotes shoulder health.
To help you drive the bar upward, keep your wrists straight and directly above your elbows.
At the top of the movement, you can shrug your shoulders to raise the bar a little higher. This is optional and will get your upper trapezius and levator scapulae involved as synergists, allowing you to get more out of the exercise.
Provided you use the safety pins, the Smith machine shoulder press is safer than the barbell shoulder press, which makes it useful for when you want to go heavy. Otherwise, I’d recommend you use the barbell.
