Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler keeps his training fresh in retirement but hasn’t forgotten the fundamentals. In a YouTube video shared on April 24, 2026, he named the standing shoulder press as his number one movement for capped delts and overall strength.
After securing four Mr. Olympia titles in his prime, Jay Cutler settled into a life of retirement. For most, that would mean stepping away from the gym, but ‘The Comeback Kid’ remains active. He still works out seven days a week and calls the gym his sanctuary.
Delts were never a weakness for Cutler. Even in retirement, he’s managed to retain impressive size and detail. Though he doesn’t always include the standing shoulder press in his workouts today, he emphasized that they’re a game-changer for progress.
Jay Cutler’s Standing Shoulder Press Breakdown for Max Size and Roundness
In the video, Cutler compared the standing shoulder press using a dumbbell or barbell. He typically used dumbbells while seated but opted for the barbell when standing.
“My favorite shoulder exercise, and you’ve seen me do this a million times in my heyday, the shoulder press standing. You have your barbells and your dumbbells. Which is the better one?
Listen, it’s all preference. Ideally, I was always a dumbbell guy; I’d do a lot of seated dumbbell presses, but when I did standing, I always focused on the barbell. I love the feel. For some reason, it just gave me more power. It’s great for core. I think it’s a great standard exercise when you first start training to get used to holding a bar standing.”
According to the bodybuilding legend, it’s an effective exercise for building capped delts and overall body strength.
“Everyone is going to be a little stronger on one side, so the dumbbells might be more isolateral, which might be more beneficial to a lot of people. It’s a great exercise for building that base, that cap, and building overall body strength.”
For optimal results, he recommended aiming for 8-12 repetitions and cautioned that the shoulder joint is sensitive.
“Remember, focus on 8-12 repetitions or maybe a little more. Remember, just be careful with the shoulder joint, it’s the most delicate joint,” said Jay Cutler.
Conventional workout wisdom can go a long way, but sometimes Cutler goes against the grain. He revealed that isolating the shoulder excessively during training can work against progress. To keep his shoulders bulletproof in retirement, he practices a side lateral front raise variation.
At 52, Cutler’s longevity is among the best in the sport. He believes the standing shoulder press can be a valuable asset in most routines, just as long as you protect the joints from stress.
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