Lee Priest is showing off an under-the-radar exercise that can effectively build the shoulders. In a July 15 YouTube video, he broke down the ‘Priest Press’ that targets all three shoulder heads.
Throughout his career, Priest defied the odds and defeated bodybuilding legends who regularly outsized him. He relied on his vascular conditioning and dominant upper body, which helped him earn numerous victories, including the 2013 NABBA Mr. Universe.
Shoulder development was a top priority for Priest, and that hasn’t changed in retirement. While the famous Arnold press often gets attention online, Priest laid out why his Priest press might edge it out, both in terms of effectiveness and shoulder positioning.
Lee Priest Shares His ‘Priest Press’ That Targets All 3 Heads of the Shoulder
In the video, Priest explained that the Arnold press focuses more on the front delts and warned that if you go heavy, it’s hard to execute. Instead, he recommended the ‘Priest press,’ which he notes has a more natural starting position.
“Arnold had a press, but Arnold’s, I don’t know, it’s more front delt, and when you go heavy on the dumbbells, it’s just very hard to do.
Now, the Priest press is much more in line with your body because you’re in the right position where your shoulders should be. You’re not holding the fucking dumbbells here where they can pull forward.”
He believes this movement pattern and rotation at the top of each rep can help hit all three shoulder heads.
“This is in line, and you got all your strength and power movement, and as you push up, just turn them like that. A little rotate brings all the other heads into play,” he said. “You don’t have to go crazy and twist your arm out.”
“A little bit, you can feel it a little bit there [in the forearms], but mainly it’s the three heads of the shoulder that’s being hit, and it’s in line with your shoulders, so you’re not having the weight pull out in front where it’s just hitting the side. I can feel in my rear, my sides, and the front.”
Even though Priest doesn’t swear by the Arnold press, some bodybuilders still do. Former two-time Figure Olympia champ Erin Stern recently broke down how to perform the Arnold press. She explained that splitting the exercise into two distinct movements makes it easier to master.
During his prime, Priest always had round, broad shoulders to complement his X-frame. He continues to offer fans tips and unique exercises for building a complete physique.
RELATED: Lee Priest Says You Can Build a Good Back With Just Calisthenics & Time Under Tension
Watch the full video from the Sam’s Fitness – Gym Equipment and Training YouTube channel below:
