Chest & Shoulders Machine

A shoulder machine and a chest press share the same pressing motion at different angles, which is why this collection keeps them together. This lineup is all Body-Solid: seated shoulder and chest presses, multi-press stations that adjust from flat to vertical, pec dec and pec/rear-delt machines, plate-loaded leverage presses, Smith machine pec attachments and home gyms with press arms built in. It suits home gyms and clubs alike.

How to choose a shoulder machine or chest press

• Selectorized single stations. The Body-Solid Pro ClubLine Series 2 Shoulder Press (S2SP) has 6 seat adjustments, multi-position grips and a center-drive arm, with a 210 lb stack standard and a 310 lb upgrade available. Its Series 2 sibling, the Body-Solid S2CP chest press, uses a fully shrouded stack on an all-4-side welded frame.
• One station, several angles. The Body-Solid DGYM Multi Press Station (DPRS-S) has a 20-position seat and back pad that slide together, taking you from a flat press through incline to a vertical shoulder press on a 210 lb stack.
• Plate-loaded presses. The Body-Solid Leverage Bench Press (LVBP) uses converging press arms that move independently, with gas-assisted start positions and plate storage. For free-bar overhead work, the full-commercial Pro ClubLine Olympic Shoulder Press Bench (SOSB250) adds adjustable safety stops and an integrated spotter platform.
• Fly and rear delt. The plate-loaded Body-Solid Pec Dec Machine (GPM65B) runs dual overhead cams so each arm can move on its own, and its articulating arms cover pec and rear-delt work. The Series 2 Pec Rear Delt (S2PEC) offers 5 seat positions and 5 pec fly positions on a selectorized stack.
• Add-ons. For Smith machine owners, the Body-Solid GPA3B pec attachment adds unilateral or bilateral pec flies and reverse flies; confirm it matches your Smith model before ordering.

Trainer's take: set the start position, then press

Speaking as a certified personal trainer, I spend more time on seat height than on weight selection with pressing machines. For a chest press, the handles should start roughly level with the middle of your chest; for an overhead press, around shoulder height with your elbows slightly in front of your body. Start too high or too low and you give up range at the beginning of every rep.

If your room has space for only one machine, an adjustable multi-press is the most flexible option here, because one seat change moves you from chest to shoulders. Balance each pressing session with pulling or rear-delt work. Progress in small steps: add a rep or two each week at the same load before moving the pin. A dedicated shoulder machine earns its spot once overhead pressing is a regular part of your week.

Shoulder machine FAQ

What is the best machine for shoulders?

No single machine covers the whole shoulder. A seated shoulder press handles overhead pressing, while a pec/rear-delt machine works the back of the shoulder, so many buyers pair the two or choose a multi-press that also adjusts to vertical.

What is a chest fly machine?

Often called a pec dec, it has you bring two padded arms or handles together in front of your chest in a wide arc. Models like the GPM65B and S2PEC also run the motion in reverse for rear-delt flies.

Is a bench press machine worth it if I already own a barbell?

Many lifters keep both. A leverage press like the LVBP follows a fixed, converging path and lets each arm work independently, which makes it a useful partner to free-bar pressing.

Can one machine train both chest and shoulders?

Yes. Multi-press stations such as the DPRS-S adjust from flat to incline to a vertical shoulder press, and several Body-Solid home gyms here include a press arm alongside their other stations.

To finish the upper body, add rear delt machines for the back of the shoulder, a Smith machine for guided barbell pressing, or a bench from our workout benches collection for dumbbell work. Our strength equipment buying guide also covers Smith machines and racks.