Most of you would already be aware that when you do a push up or a bench press you are working your pecs,your front deltoids and your triceps. This movement pattern also referred to as horizontal push relies on the big chest muscle your pectoralist major and to a lesser extent your front deltoid to flex the shoulder, and your tricep muscles to extend the elbow.

Like the pull movement pattern there are both horizontal and vertical push movement patterns. The vertical push pattern, this is the movement pattern used in a shoulder press or whenever you push a resistance upwards.

Vertical push, like horizontal push relies on the tricep to extend the elbow and the action at the shoulder joint will differ depending on whether you are using a neutral or overhand grip. If you are using an overhand/pronated grips your shoulders are abducting during the movement and this will activate your entire deltoid muscle (front, rear and middle), your traps also play a role in facilitating this movement as they abduct your shoulder blades.  If you are using a neutral grip (palms facing inwards), then the action at the shoulder joint is flexion and this will work your pectoralis major and front deltoid.

Whether you want strong shoulders, big shoulders, better posture or just to be able to push your car away from the middle of the road if it breaks down, including some pushups and shoulder presses in your workout routine will go a long way to achieving that goal.

References

Baechle, T.R. & Earle, R.W. (2008). Essentials of Strength and Conditioning. Human Kinetics.

Martini, F.H., Nath, J.L. & Bartholomew, E.F. (2012). Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology. Pearson.