10 Best Lever One Arm Shoulder Press Alternatives for Home Gyms
The Lever One Arm Shoulder Press is done seated with a lever machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Handstand Push-up and Handstand Push-ups.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
- Primary muscle
- Delts
- Equipment
- Lever
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Triceps, Upper Back
How to perform Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
- Adjust the seat height and position yourself on the machine with your back against the pad.
- Grasp the lever handle with one hand and position your elbow at a 90-degree angle.
- Press the lever upward until your arm is fully extended overhead.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the lever back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.
Ranked Lever One Arm Shoulder Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.
1. Elbow Dips
52% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
- Slide your hips forward off the bench and straighten your legs, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: standing, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
Best match 2. Handstand Push-up
52% match- Delts
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the delts with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Find a wall and face away from it, standing a few feet away.
- Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart and kick your feet up against the wall, coming into a handstand position.
- Bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground, keeping your body in a straight line.
- Push through your hands and extend your arms to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: inverted, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press

3. Dips - Triceps Version
50% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- To get into the starting position, hold your body at arm's length with your arms nearly locked above the bars.
- Now, inhale and slowly lower yourself downward. Your torso should remain upright and your elbows should stay close to your body. This helps to better focus on tricep involvement. Lower yourself until there is a 90 degree angle formed between the upper arm and forearm.
- Then, exhale and push your torso back up using your triceps to bring your body back to the starting position.
- Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press

4. Bench Dips
49% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
- Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
- Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: seated, the same as the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press

5. Handstand Push-ups
47% match- Delts
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- With your back to the wall bend at the waist and place both hands on the floor at shoulder width.
- Kick yourself up against the wall with your arms straight. Your body should be upside down with the arms and legs fully extended. Keep your whole body as straight as possible. Tip: If doing this for the first time, have a spotter help you. Also, make sure that you keep facing the wall with your head, rather than looking down.
- Slowly lower yourself to the ground as you inhale until your head almost touches the floor. Tip: It is of utmost importance that you come down slow in order to avoid head injury.
- Push yourself back up slowly as you exhale until your elbows are nearly locked.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: inverted, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
6. Stalder Press
42% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended overhead.
- Bend your knees slightly and engage your core.
- Lower your body down into a squat position while keeping your arms extended overhead.
- As you squat down, press your arms down towards the ground, engaging your triceps.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom of the squat, then push through your heels to stand back up while simultaneously raising your arms back overhead.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: inverted, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
7. Chest Dip
42% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- Position yourself on parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
8. Reverse Dip
41% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: standing, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press

9. Kneeling Arm Drill
38% match- Shoulders
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- This drill helps increase arm efficiency during the run. Begin kneeling, left foot in front, right knee down. Apply pressure through the front heel to keep your glutes and hamstrings activated.
- Begin by blocking the arms in long, pendulum like swings. Close the arm angle, blocking with the arms as you would when jogging, progressing to a run and finally a sprint.
- As soon as your hands pass the hip, accelerate them forward during the sprinting motion to move them as quickly as possible.
- Switch knees and repeat.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: shoulders, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
- Body position: kneeling, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
10. Ring Dips
38% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by hanging from the rings with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: a suspension trainer, not a machine
- Body position: standing, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press
Why You Might Need a Lever One Arm Shoulder Press Alternative
You might substitute the Lever One Arm Shoulder Press for equipment limits, shoulder pain, or to correct unilateral imbalances. Lever rigs stabilize the path and lower stabilizer demand; switching to dumbbells or landmine variations increases rotator cuff and scapular stabilizer activation, improving joint resilience. If you have shoulder impingement, choose a neutral-grip landmine press and tuck the elbow 20–30 degrees to reduce subacromial compression while still targeting the anterior and lateral deltoids. For hypertrophy, use strict tempo and full controlled range of motion to maximize time under tension.
How to Choose the Right Lever One Arm Shoulder Press Substitute
Pick a substitute based on equipment, stability needs, and training goals. For maximal loading and strength, use a seated barbell or heavy dumbbell single-arm press while keeping the wrist stacked and scapula pinned to isolate the deltoid. For reduced joint shear or rehab, choose the landmine single-arm press with a forward-arc path and neutral rotation to shift load away from the glenoid. For hypertrophy and unilateral balance, use cables or kettlebells with strict tempo and a full concentric squeeze to ensure even deltoid activation and correct compensations.
Lever One Arm Shoulder Press FAQ
What muscles does Lever One Arm Shoulder Press work?
The exercise primarily targets the anterior and lateral deltoid fibers, with the triceps brachii and upper trapezius assisting. Scapular stabilizers and the rotator cuff work isometrically to center the humeral head, keep the scapula slightly retracted and upwardly rotated during the press to maintain glenohumeral alignment.
Can I build muscle without doing Lever One Arm Shoulder Press?
Yes, you can build deltoid mass with other compound and unilateral presses that provide progressive overload, such as dumbbell overhead presses or landmine single-arm presses. Focus on increasing load or reps over time, use full range of motion, and pause briefly at lockout to increase mechanical tension on the delts.
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