Fitness: Benefits of overhead press

We all understand the importance of exercises such as squats and lunges but how regularly do you do an overhead press - the weight training exercise typically performed while standing - at the gym?

Many people think overhead presses are simply a shoulder workout and can be overlooked in favour of alternatives. However, the overhead press has a lot of additional benefits:

Lifting a weight overhead increases the need for balance and stability, developing the muscles in your core and back.

Because this is a compound movement that works not just your shoulders but also your chest, arms, back and core, you burn more calories performing this, particularly using a heavyweight.

Because it works on your chest and back muscles, you will find you have better strength and muscle stability to do other upper body exercises.

Since your shoulders and arms are mostly activated during the exercise, increasing muscle mass in that area will help them look leaner and slimmer.