Description
Vertical thrust to develop shoulders and core stability.
01 · Setup
Set up the movement
- Adjust the starting height and safety of the Smith machine.
- Feet stable, core braced, pelvis neutral.
- Chest high, shoulders low at the start.
- Wrists aligned and elbows under control.
- Adjust the supports to stay aligned from start to finish.
02 · Execution
Perform the rep
- Lower slowly to the controlled range of motion.
- Keep the forearms stable and the elbows oriented under the load.
- Push vertically without arching your lower back.
Technique cue
Push overhead with locked torso.
Common mistakes- excessive lumbar arch
- elbows that open too much
- descent too fast
- hard lock at the top
- force an range of motion beyond your mobility
Safety notes
Risks of poor execution
- The guided trajectory reduces lateral instability.
- A forced range of motion can still overload the joints.