Male model ex_DG3MKX

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Shoulders · Body Weight

Military Press Bodyweight

intermediatestrength

Military Press Bodyweight is an intermediate compound strength exercise that works the delts (shoulders), with the upper back assisting. It needs no equipment beyond your own body weight. A typical prescription is 3-4 sets of 6-10 reps, and it burns about 6.1 calories per minute.

Target
Delts
Body part
Shoulders
Equipment
Body Weight
Category
Strength
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Sets × reps
3-4 × 6-10
Calories / min
≈ 6.1 kcal

Primary muscles

  • Shoulders · Anterior Deltoids

Secondary muscles

  • Upper Back · Trapezius

How to do Military Press Bodyweight

  1. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms bent at the elbows, hands positioned at shoulder height with palms facing forward.
  2. Engage your shoulders and press your hands upward until your arms are fully extended above your head.
  3. Hold the top position for a moment, feeling the contraction in your shoulder muscles.
  4. Slowly lower your hands back to shoulder height with control. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Form tips

  • Breathe consistently, exhaling as you press your hands upward and inhaling as you lower them.
  • Keep your head aligned with your spine to prevent neck strain.
  • Avoid using momentum; focus on muscle strength to perform the movements.

Military Press Bodyweight alternatives

More delts exercises

Military Press Bodyweight FAQ

What muscles does Military Press Bodyweight work?

Military Press Bodyweight mainly works the delts in the shoulders (Anterior Deltoids). The upper back work as secondary muscles.

What equipment do you need for Military Press Bodyweight?

None. Military Press Bodyweight is a body weight exercise, so you can do it at home or anywhere with enough space.

How many sets and reps of Military Press Bodyweight should I do?

Start with 3-4 sets of 6-10 reps. Pick a load or variation where the last one or two reps are hard but your form stays clean.

Is Military Press Bodyweight good for beginners?

It's rated intermediate. Beginners can work up to it once they control simpler shoulders exercises.

How many calories does Military Press Bodyweight burn?

About 6.1 calories per minute for a person of around 70 kg, based on a MET value of 5. Ten minutes of work is roughly 61 calories; heavier people burn more.

What is a good alternative to Military Press Bodyweight?

Other exercises for the delts include Barbell Standing Military Press, Barbell Seated Military Press, Dumbbell Half Kneeling Military Press and Barbell Seated Behind Neck Military Press.

For developers

Use Military Press Bodyweight in your app

Get this exercise and 1,900+ others from the WorkoutX API: 720p MP4 animations at 30 fps without the watermark, male and female models, muscles, instructions and form tips in 7 languages.

# One request returns the exercise and its 720p media links
curl "https://api.workoutxapp.com/v2/exercises/ex_DG3MKX" \
  -H "X-WorkoutX-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "id": "ex_DG3MKX",
  "name": "Military Press Bodyweight",
  "model": "male",
  "target": "Delts",
  "equipment": "Body Weight",
  "media": {
    "mp4": "https://…/ex_DG3MKX/mp4-720.mp4?…",
    "poster": "https://…/ex_DG3MKX/poster.jpg?…"
  }
}