I’m writing this post because despite the recent addition of many new exercises to Freeletics, I’ve noticed the absence of the barbell shoulder press (also known as the military press), while the push press is included.
The barbell shoulder press is currently only available in the workout creator. To even log this exercise, I had to create a specific custom workout. Wouldn’t it be much more convenient to include it as a single exercise option and perhaps integrate it into your Training Journeys?
Push Press vs. Shoulder Press: What’s the Difference?
Both the push press and shoulder press are excellent exercises for developing upper body strength and power. However, they differ significantly in their execution and the muscle groups they primarily target.
The shoulder press (or military press) is a strict overhead press where the movement comes solely from the shoulders and arms. Your legs remain still, making it a true test of pure upper body pressing strength.
The push press, on the other hand, utilizes a “dip and drive” motion from the legs and hips to generate momentum, assisting the upward movement of the barbell. This allows you to lift heavier weights and develops explosive power throughout your entire body, not just your shoulders.
Despite the benefits of the push press, the barbell shoulder press remains a foundational exercise for building pure shoulder strength, stability, and hypertrophy. Its absence as a readily available single exercise option in Freeletics is a bit of a puzzle for users who want to specifically train this movement.
For those of us who appreciate the strict nature and targeted benefits of the shoulder press, having to create a custom workout just to track it feels like an unnecessary hurdle. Including it as a standalone exercise would make it much more accessible and user-friendly.