Shoulder Machines 101: A Simple Breakdown
Finding the right shoulder machine can make a big difference in your workout. Some machines give you a smooth, natural feel, while others can feel awkward or limiting. In this review, we’ll look at some of the top shoulder machines at a large gym. We’ll keep things simple and straightforward, focusing on how each machine works and what you can expect.
1. Prime Shoulder Press: 9/10
The Prime Shoulder Press is a solid machine. If you load the plates on top, it makes the stretch part of the movement harder, which is great for building strength. The only drawback is that the machine doesn’t allow for a deep enough stretch. Your arms can’t go low enough to fully extend the shoulders. While this is a minor issue, it does limit full activation of the deltoids in the stretched position, which can hinder maximum muscle growth. Still, it’s a great machine that allows for good control and power.
2. Hammer Strength Seated Lateral Raise: 7/10
This machine feels rigid and doesn't provide a natural range of motion. The seated position fixes your torso in place, which can limit your ability to engage your core and other stabilizer muscles. The movement pattern also feels a bit mechanical, which can make it harder to engage the side deltoids fully. The Hammer Strength Lateral Raise has a somewhat flat resistance curve, meaning the tension remains fairly constant throughout the movement. While this isn’t a bad thing, it doesn’t provide extra resistance where you need it most, which is at the top of the lift, where the deltoids are fully contracted.
3. Atlantis Standing Lateral Raise: 9.5/10
The Atlantis Standing Lateral Raise is almost perfect because it allows for a much more natural movement pattern compared to the seated Hammer Strength version. Standing during the lateral raise activates your core, lower back, and stabilizer muscles, giving you a full-body engagement while focusing on your shoulders. The design of the handles and the machine’s smooth motion make it easier to target the side deltoids without unnecessary strain on the joints. This machine’s resistance increases smoothly as you lift the weight, meaning your deltoids face more tension where it matters—at the peak contraction. The downside is that it doesn’t allow you to bring your arms fully past the midline for maximum side delt stretch, but overall, it offers a more dynamic, muscle-building range of motion.
4. Hammer Strength Iso-lateral Shoulder Press: 8/10
The Hammer Strength Shoulder Press is good for pressing moderate weights in a stable environment. It allows for heavy loading with a controlled range of motion, making it great for building the front and side deltoids. The fixed range of motion helps you focus purely on shoulder engagement, which can be helpful for isolating the muscles. However, the machine doesn't load the shoulders heavily enough at the bottom of the movement, where the deltoids are stretched. This results in less tension in the muscle's stretched position, which is important for optimal hypertrophy (muscle growth). Additionally, the machine caps out in terms of how heavy it can go, so for advanced lifters, it might not provide enough challenge to stimulate maximum growth.
5. Cybex Shoulder Press: 7/10
The Cybex Shoulder Press machine stands out due to its unique converging motion at the top. However, it falls short in a few areas, earning a rating of 7 out of 10. The pressing motion feels a bit awkward, particularly as you have to start by pressing out, and the angle of the handles doesn’t feel as natural as other machines. While it’s a cool concept, it’s not as comfortable or effective for everyone, especially when compared to other shoulder presses. Also, the machine’s resistance curve is also off—there's too much tension at the start and not enough at the top, where your muscles are fully contracted. This imbalance doesn’t allow the deltoids to work as efficiently through the full range of motion, meaning you're not getting maximum engagement at key points in the lift.
6. Atlantis Standing Shoulder Press: 9.5/10
Standing shoulder presses tend to engage more muscles than seated ones, and the Atlantis Standing Shoulder Press is a top-tier example. By standing, your body must work harder to stabilize, which involves your core, glutes, and legs. This results in a more holistic workout, even though the focus remains on your shoulders. The machine also allows for a deep stretch in the deltoids, which is key for hypertrophy. The resistance curve is excellent, with the tension increasing smoothly as you press. This gives your shoulders maximum engagement throughout the entire range of motion, which is ideal for muscle growth. The only drawback is the slight lack of stability compared to seated presses, but it’s not enough to affect the overall effectiveness.