Military Press vs. Overhead Press vs. Shoulder Press vs. Push Press

Variation is the name of the game in weight training. Performing the same exercise every week can lead you to a plateau. It is easier to avoid an overhead ceiling than to break through one. Using exercise variations helps you train your muscles from different angles, which keeps your muscles guessing — and growing. 

Things, however, get complicated when similar-looking exercises have different names — case in point — the military press, overhead press, shoulder press, and push press. 

People might switch between these exercises in hopes of avoiding a plateau. Still, they are training the same muscle groups from the same angles, rendering these variations ineffective for avoiding a roadblock. 

Most lifters are clueless about these shoulder exercises and use the terms military press, overhead press, shoulder press, and push press interchangeably. This, however, is a mistake. 

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Our lifting forefathers gave these exercises different names for a reason. Although the military, overhead, shoulder, and push press follow the same movement pattern, there are subtle differences between the four. 

Learning about the differences can help you design better training programs for yourself or your clients. Nonetheless, it puts you in a position to give unsolicited advice to lifters in your gym. 

This article explains the differences between the military, overhead, shoulder, and push press. We also cover the muscles worked, common mistakes people make while doing these pressing movements, and who each exercise is best suited for. There is a lot to cover, so sit tight.